2002 Minnesota Statutes

     216B.1691 Renewable energy objectives. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definitions.  (a) "Eligible energy 
 technology" means an energy technology that: 

    (1) generates electricity from the following renewable 
 energy sources:  solar, wind, hydroelectric with a capacity of 
 less than 60 megawatts, or biomass; and 

    (2) was not mandated by state law or commission order 
 enacted or issued prior to August 1, 2001. 

    (b) "Electric utility" means a public utility providing 
 electric service, a generation and transmission cooperative 
 electric association, or a municipal power agency. 

    Subd. 2.    Eligible energy objectives.  (a) Each 
 electric utility shall make a good faith effort to generate or 
 procure sufficient electricity generated by an eligible energy 
 technology to provide its retail consumers, or the retail 
 members of a distribution utility to which the electric utility 
 provides wholesale electric service, so that: 

    (1) commencing in 2005, at least one percent of the 
 electric energy provided to those retail customers is generated 
 by eligible energy technologies; 

    (2) the amount provided under clause (1) is increased by 
 one percent each year until 2015; 

    (3) ten percent of the electric energy provided to retail 
 customers in Minnesota is generated by eligible energy 
 technologies; and 

    (4) of the eligible energy technology generation required 
 under clauses (1) and (2), at least 0.5 percent of the energy 
 must be generated by biomass energy technologies by 2010 and one 
 percent by 2015. 

    (b) Each electric utility shall report on its activities 
 and progress with regard to these objectives in their filings 
 under section 216B.2422. 

    (c) The commission, in consultation with the commissioner 
 of commerce, shall compile the information provided to the 
 commission under paragraph (b), and report to the chairs of the 
 house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction 
 over energy and environment policy issues as to the progress of 
 utilities in the state in increasing the amount of renewable 
 energy provided to retail customers, with any recommendations 
 for regulatory or legislative action, by January 15, 2002. 

    HIST: 2001 c 212 art 8 s 3; 2002 c 398 s 3