Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
6.1g ERMUSR 09-10-2019
Elk River Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: ERMU Commission Michelle Canterbury—Executive Administrative Manager MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: September 10, 2019 6.1g SUBJECT: Staff Update ACTION REQUESTED: None DISCUSSION: • The Current newsletter is one of the September bill inserts.The fall edition focuses on topics such as: service territory transfer nearing completion, annual dam inspection, Cold Weather Rule, energy saver kits, as well as energy assistance programs and agencies. A promotional flyer on automatic bill payment will also go out with the September bills.Automatic bill payment, where the full amount of a customer's monthly utility bill is automatically drafted from their bank account on the due date, is a quick and easy way for customers to pay their bill. A$5.00 bill credit will be offered to new customers enrolling in the program. Attached are copies of the two bill inserts. • Typically when we publish our quarterly Current newsletter, we intentionally focus our social media posts that month around the topics that were covered in the newsletter. In addition to the newsletter topics, other posts in September will focus on: availability of energy efficiency commercial and residential rebates, commission meeting notice, welcome to new customers from final territory transfer, meter tampering, and National Drive Electric Week. • To further promote National Drive Electric Week, ERMU and City of Elk River staff will be hosting a booth at the Elk River Farmers Market on September 19, from 3-7 p.m. As part of our social media and marketing campaign to promote EVs and the event, we'll be featuring numerous posts including a video our Communications Coordinator produced. The video features a passionate EV owner who also happens to be an ERMU customer.A link to the video is listed below. • As part of the rebranding of ERMU's employee photo identification cards, the Administration and Communications Department is coordinating a professional photo shoot on September 27. Besides employee head shots, department and company-wide photos will also be taken. Page 1 of 2 224 • As part of the forecasted 2020 initiative to completely overhaul the ERMU website, a Request for Proposal (RFP)for the website design has been developed.The RFP is scheduled to go out mid-September, and the cost for the website design will be included as a line item in the 2020 budget. ATTACHMENTS: • Bill Insert—Current Newsletter Fall Edition • Bill Insert—Automatic Bill Payment • Video Link—National Drive Electric Week—The Electric Vehicle Driving Experience Page 2 of 2 225 • Elk River FALL 2019 Municipal Utilities THE CURRENT SERVICE TERRITORY TRANSFER OUR NEARLY COMPLETE MISSION In September,ERMU will welcome 78 new . To provide our customers customers that will be transferring over from ,:,,,t' [ with safe,reliable,cost- Connexus Energy. These customers represent effective and quality the last areas to be transferred to ERMU from an w .. . iiiv , Long-term electric and agreement that was executed with Connexus water utility services. Energy in 2015.The agreement was created as a To communicate and `"` a I a means to ensure that everyone within the Elk River educate our customers city limits receives the same reliable electric service ' , in the use of utility from one utility provider. 13! t services,programs, x . policies and future plans. Effective collaboration between ERMU and These products and i services will be provided Connexus allowed this process to be completed i 4 in an environmentally one year ahead of the scheduled five-year plan. and financially In that time,12 square miles and 2,000 customers ' responsible manner. were transferred to ERMU services.To welcome the new customers,ERMU representatives will be out in t the field the week of the transfer,hand delivering a welcome bag to each of their doorsteps. OUR VISION "It's always a great day when you get to welcome your new customers and owners,"said Tom Sagstetter,Conservation&Key Accounts Manager. Provide exceptional services and value to those we serve. Dam Inspection Involves Lowering Lake Level ERMU will conduct an annual inspection of the Elk River Dam on Wednesday,October 2.This required OUR inspection,which helps to ensure the integrity of the 1: 1. VALUES structure,involves lowering Lake Orono's water level by 30 inches. tallailL 0 INTEGRITY Boaters are advised that once ERMU begins to lower y 0 QUALITY the lake level,they may be unable to remain on the OCOMMUNICATION lake.Failure to act in a timely manner could result in .. the inability to move boats until the lake is refilled, 0 SAFETY which should occur within 24 hours. 0 COMPETITIVE This inspection period is a great time for those with Lakeshore property to perform any necessary maintenance or Lakeshore improvements.To determine if any special permits are required,please contact the City of Elk River Environmental Department at 763.635.1000. ERMUMN.COM 1 763.441.2020 1 13069 ORONO PARKWAY I PO BOX 430 I ELK RIVER, MN 55330-0430 RELIABLE FALL 2019 RP3 pPUC THE CURRENT PROVIDER Cold Weather Rule begins October 15 The Cold Weather Rule(CWR)protects residential Triheat-affected customers who are unable to pay their • • S CAP utility bills from disconnection of service between • INS. TR.ouNTY ACTION Pao;MM October 15 and April 15.This does not mean that Herp,ng People.Changing Lives. the CWR forbids utility disconnection during the winter months.A customer must contact their Tri-CAP's Energy Assistance natural gas or electric utility to set up a Program(EAP)pays a portion mutually agreed upon payment plan in order of the home heating costs for to avoid disconnection. income eligible households in Benton,Morrison, Customers who think they will have trouble paying their electric Sherburne,and Stearns bill should call ERMU's office to make payment arrangements. County.The program,which They can also visit our website to download or electronically is available to homeowners and renters,starts accepting submit the"Inability to Pay"form.The form must be completely applications in fate filled out and signed to be considered valid and to protect customers September and runs through from utility shutoff once the CWR has taken effect.If payment arrangements are not the end of May. followed,the CWR will not protect customers from utility shut-off.Payment plans can be established at any time during the CWR season. Services include:direct payment to energy Communicating with us and keeping your payment arrangements are the best ways supplier;crisis help for utility disconnections or to avoid an inconvenient and potentially detrimental disconnection.If you find yourself necessary fuel deliveries;and needing help,you can contact the energy assistance organizations listed to the left to see emergency heating system if you qualify for assistance. repair or replacement. For more information on the Free Energy Saver Kits program,visit www.tricap.org or contact the Tri-Cap office Customers who qualify for Energy Assistance,SNAP, at 888.765.5597. CASH,Medicaid,or Emergency Assistance may also be eligible to receive a free Energy Saver Kit from ERMU. Once approved for any of these programs through ENERGY ASSISTANCE Sherburne County,Tri-Cap,or CAER Food Shelf,customers There are several local • will receive an Energy Saver Kit at the agency,or be given organizations that may be m a coupon that can be redeemed at the ERMU office. able to support you if you need energy assistance this These kits are packed with a variety of products that will not only help with energy efficiency, winter season. but will also help lower your energy bill throughout the cold winter months.They contain items such as:LED bulbs,smart power strip,window film,faucet aerators,foam tape Tri-Cap 888.765.5597 weather stripping,and more. Sherburne Co 763.765.4000 Wright Co 320.963.6500 Heating your home and water can account for 70 percent of your energy use!Save today Henn Co 952.933.9639 with an Energy Saver Kit from ERMU.For tips on how to use energy more effectively year- SalArmy 320.252.4552 round,customers are encouraged to download the Energy Guide from our website. CAER 763.441.1020 To qualify for a free hit,you must be in ERMU's service territory and meet the MN Department of Commerce's Energy Assistance Eligibility Guidelines.Limit of one hit per family. WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: ERMUMN.COM I 763.441.2020 227 Elk River — AUTOMATIC BILL PAYMENT Municipal Utilities Saves you Time, Money, and Provides Peace of Mind! Forget worrying about due dates or late payments when you have each month's bill paid automatically.Sign up for Elk River Municipal Utilities Automatic Bill Payment,and breathe easy knowing your bill is taken care of every month. SIGN UP NOW AND RECEIVE A ,, ONE-TIME $5.00 BILL CREDIT! d Save Time. You'll still receive an itemized bill,but won't lift a finger to pay it. Save Money. No more cost or hassle of having to pick up stamps. Peace of Mind. "..'r Eliminate the worry of missing a payment due date. PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER! Quickly and easily pay your utility bill each month by having it drafted directly from your bank account.Regular payments will be debited from your bank account on the due date of each month,ensuring your bill is paid on time,every time.Enrolling is easy, simply fill out the bank draft authorization form below, attach a voided check, and return to our office at 13069 Orono Parkway, P.O. Box 430, Elk River, MN 55330. IO bill dit for new customers only.Recurring pf ;,�•F :. - - ERMU's online bill payment system does not qualify. E •• ANK DRAFT AUTHO TION FO ' I authoriz x�' r icipal Utilities(ERMU)to draft the full amount of my monthly utility bill from the financial institution listed below on the due date of each month (or on the first business day thereafter).I understand that ERMU reserves the right to discontinue my Automatic Bill Payment enrollment in the event a payment is returned. CUSTOMER INFORMATION Name Utility Account Number Service Address City State Zip Phone Number Email Address Financial Institution Name Bank Routing/Transit Number Bank Account Number Account Holder's Signature Date *TO ENSURE PROPER BANK CODING,PLEASE ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK* 228 Elk River Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING TO: FROM: ERMU Commission Michelle Canterbury— Executive Administrative Manager MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: September 10, 2019 6.2 SUBJECT: Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association Summer Conference Discussion ACTION REQUESTED: No action requested BACKGROUND: Every year the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) holds their summer conference. This year the conference was held August 19—21 at Breezy Point Resort, in Breezy Point, Minnesota. DISCUSSION: As always the conference offers excellent opportunities for networking and education for municipal utility leaders from around the state.This year's conference offered a variety of seminars with top-notch speakers. This agenda item was added to offer the opportunity for those that attended to share some highlights and takeaways from this year's conference. ATTACHMENTS: • Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association 2019 Legislative Report Page 1 of 2 229 Page 2 of 2 230 i ., .. „ _,_ , , ©,5],g) -__,Ge_ i_ilfrWrig. ,k 0 00-_ ,, _ _ ... ,. 4 ., , ,ems .»,. t. ' i, ' it '' \II , I :' lio ` 4 �-. ,, , i °3 Fir 1 t r- , „,,4 .., r \:\''''''\'':\ ., 1 i a 1 I \,,, kilil,': - i r , i w 4" !' 11 J *1 . i f , I W.4' 1 — •L .. _a i i:•l •ti 1..,;I::A I E.4 6 I r E. , t/ru -- ' ., ' -: I fi M ■■ �! y~i4 3i i � + 7'T».s. .a �Ja, t �Y:. 's. ��� ♦n;r �,.. t'. � _-_ 1111/1111...m '".. _ r A. MIMIII! - ti ems}.'. ":. P .' w.ri .w,y,s Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association - 231 y Table of Contents Section 1- 2019 Legislative Overview 3 Section 2 - 2019 Session Laws of Interest Regular Sessions Laws, Chapter 2 - Bonding/Capitol Investment 4 First Special Sessions Laws, Chapter 1- Broadband 4 Special Sessions Laws, Chapter 7 - Energy Policy 4-6 Regular Session Laws, Chapter 27 - Fee Limits 6 Regular Sessions Laws, Chapter 11- Public Safety/ Hands Free Law 6-7 Special Sessions Laws, Chapter 9 -Water Connection Fees 7 Section 3 - 2019 Legislative Efforts That Didn't Make It Yet CIP Reform - HF 1839/SF 1915 7 Lawn Mowing by Minors- HF 770/SF 1805 7 Salary Cap Repeal or Increase- HF 703/SF 1651 7 Section 4-Additional Carry-over Bills of Interest for 2020 8-14 Index 15 `A‘ i # Ir GP € r 4 MMUA's staff government relations team of Kent Sulem, left and Bill Black,in the Senate Building during the MMUA Legislative Conference. 2 232 Section 1: 2019 Legislative Overview The 2019 regular session of Minnesota's State Legisla- what was called the Omnibus Prime bill, a 985-paged ture convened at noon on Tuesday,January 8, 2019.A monstrosity which at least covered all major topic areas. returning Republican-led Senate was joined by a newly And of course, as predicted by most, overtime (a special elected DFL-led House, making Minnesota the only state session)was needed to get the bare minimum done. in the country with a divided state Legislature. Both were joined by a newly elected Governor, Tim Walz. The 2019 regular session, and the special session, ended with mixed results for MMUA. What follows is an over- In the Senate, Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa)was easily view of issues related to municipal utilities that were re-elected as Majority Leader after the Republicans discussed, including summaries of relevant bills passed held on to their one seat(34-33) majority when Jeff by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Howe (R-Rockville)won the special-election to fill the For each new law, the final regular or special session seat vacated by Michelle Fischbach(who had stepped Chapter number is listed, along with the underlying down after the 2018 session to assume the duties of House and Senate bill numbers, and the chief author in Lieutenant-Governor) as constitutionally required when each body. Unless otherwise indicated, finance bills are former Lieutenant-Governor Tina Smith stepped down effective July 1 of each year and policy bills are effective to assume the U.S. Senate seat vacated when Al Frank- August 1 of the same year. en resigned. The Republican majority later grew to two seats(35-32)when Rep.Jason Rarick(R-Pine City)was Regular session bills introduced during this first year elected to fill a seat vacated by Democrat Tony Lourie, of a legislative biennium that are not signed into law, who was appointed by Governor Walz to be the Human vetoed, or defeated by a committee vote remain alive Services Commissioner.Jeremy Miller(R-Winona)was for the next year's regular session. Some such bills from elected Senate President which led to a restructuring the 2019 regular session will be discussed later in this of committees when he resigned his chairmanship to summary. Special session bills are only valid during the assume the presidency. Senator Tom Bakk(D-Cook) duration of that particular special session.Additional was re-elected Senate Minority Leader. special sessions could be called by the Governor before the start of the next regular session, set to begin at noon In the House, Melissa Hortman(D-Brooklyn Park)was on Tuesday, Feb.11, 2020. If called, each special session rewarded for having led Democrats back to the major- will have its own set of bill introductions and chapters ity(75-59) after four years, by being elected the third sent to the Governor for signage into law. Such addi- woman to serve as Speaker-of-the-House. She was joined tional sessions would likely only be scheduled if a deal in leadership by Ryan Winkler (D-St. Louis Park)who is reached on the emergency access to insulin provision returned to his seat after a two-year absence while he that failed to pass during either the regular or first followed his family to Belgium after the 2016 session. special session, or if a crisis such as a natural disaster His seat had been held warm by Peggy Flanagan who requires action before next February. opted not to seek re-election and instead successfully ran as Tim Walz's Lieutenant-Governor. Former Speaker- Whether having to wait for 2020, or a special session, of-the-House Kurt Daudt(R-Crown)was elected House MMUA will continue to push for the uncompleted Minority Leader. Four members of the Republican portions of its legislative agenda, while also guarding caucus then broke off to form the New Republican Cau- against bills that could have negative effects on munic- cus. The last piece of the puzzle was filled in when Rep. ipal utilities. Suggestions for new legislative initiatives Nathan Nelson(R-Hinckley)won the special election for MMUA should explore are welcome and can be provided the House seat vacated when Jason Rarick resigned to directly to MMUA staff, through a board member or a assume his Senate seat. member of the government relations committee (a com- mittee any MMUA member may voluntarily join). Despite new leadership and members, and even a new internal caucus, the session played out very much like MMUA's success at the Capitol is made easier by mem- those of recent years.A record number of bills were bers who stay in touch with their local legislators about introduced during the regular session-2,921 House key issues facing utilities,by those who participate in files and 2,925 Senate files.An additional 17 House files the weekly Government Relations Committee phone and 14 Senate files, for a total of 31 special session bills, calls, and by those who participate in the annual legisla- were introduced.A particularly low number(65 regular tive conference, which for 2020 is tentatively scheduled session bills and 13 special session bills) made it to the for March 31—April 1 at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Governor's desk, but in one break from recent history he Paul(same location as the 2019 conference). signed them all into law.Unfortunately, the recent trend of over-sized omnibus bills was again prevalent. For ex- Links to both the regular and special session law chap- ample, the House Health and Human Services bill alone ters, and to individual bills are at www.leg.state.mn.us came in at nearly 1,400 pages, easily dwarfing the previ- And, as always,please contact the MMUA offices if you ous record size for a bill which was set just last year with have any questions. 3 233 Section 2: 2019 Session Laws of Interest The following are summaries of bills passed and signed their communities. In this case, the bill became the vehi- into law that should be of interest to municipal utili- cle for$40 million worth of grant money for the`Border ties. The list is in alphabetical order by subject matter, to Border'broadband grants helping rural Minnesota and provides the session(both regular and special)law have access to true high-speed internet. The bill provides chapter number, chief authors, original bill numbers, a that in each of the state fiscal years 2020 and 2021, $20 short summary of the amendment to identified existing million($40 million in the biennium)will be available statutes, or a summary of the new section of law being for broadband grants. The bill's appropriations also created, and the relevant effective date(s). include $250,000 each year for the Broadband Develop- ment Office. Bonding/Capitol Investment Regular Session Laws, Chapter 2 While $40 million is a lot of money and represents the HF 80—Rep. Murphy(DFL-Hermantown) largest single appropriation to the Border to Border SF 1836—Sen. Senjem (R-Rochester) program, it is still well below the $70 million requested Effective: March 6, 2019 by the Rural Broadband Consortium, to which MMUA 2019 Regular Session Laws Chapter 2 corrects a problem belongs, and which reflects the estimated level of needed with the 2018 authorization of bonds to pay for grants funding to stay current with grant requests. During the issued by the Public Facilities Authority(PFA)to local regular session, HF 7—Rep. Ecklund(DFL-Interna- governments for water and wastewater projects.The tional Falls) and SF 9—Sen. Koran(R-North Branch) 2018 Legislature authorized the issuance of appropria- sought full funding at$35 million in each fiscal year of tion bonds, which must be backed by a specific identified the 2020-2021 biennium, or $70 million in total. source of revenue available to pay off the bonds. The 2018 Legislature voted to use funds constitutionally In addition, because last year's funding for broadband dedicated to water issues.A lawsuit was immediately was in the vetoed omnibus prime bill, this year's funding filed challenging the use of the identified funds as bond should be divided by 3, or about $13.3 million per year, payments are not specifically part of the itemized lawful an amount closer to the average level of annual funding uses of the funds. Because of the lawsuit, the State's the fund has received. Still, the $40 million threshold is bond attorneys were unable to issue an unqualified opin- a good place from which to begin seeking future funding. ion on the legality to issue the bonds. Thus, the PFA did MMUA will continue to assist in seeking funding for this not receive the $59 million for local government grants important program, including the possibility of seeking in 2018. 2019 Session Laws Chapter 2, article 1, section some one-time money from the State's surplus to get 6 authorizes $59 million in general obligation bonds for closer to the $70 million identified need. PFA grants, while article 1, section 9 repeals the 2018 authorization for appropriation bonds. Energy Policy Special Session Laws, Chapter 7 Unfortunately, a second bonding bill dealing with the HF 2—Rep. Mahoney(DFL-St. Paul) funding necessary for 2019 failed to move anywhere. SF 2—Sen. Pratt (R-Prior Lake) Some legislators point to the $59 million in Chapter 2 as Effective Date: Assorted adequate funding for the year, ignoring the fact that this i. Article 11, section 2, amends Minn. Stat. provision simply made the PFA and local governments §216B.16 by adding a subd. 7e -Public (investor-owned) whole with the pledged 2018 funding amount. The year electric utilities may submit proposals to the MPUC and 2020, as the second non-budget year of the biennium, recover from rates the costs for conducting energy stor- will be a traditional bonding year, but there are no guar- age pilot projects. Proposals must include: antees of a bill getting out of both chambers and signed • storage technology to be utilized; into law. If there is a bonding bill, MMUA will support • energy storage capacity; output duration at capacity; funding for the PFA's grants to local governments, and • proposed location; any other purpose beneficial to municipal utilities. • purchase and installation costs; • how the project will interact with existing distributed Broadband generation resources on the utility's grid; and First Special Session Laws, Chapter 1,Article 7 • goals the project proposes to achieve, which may HF 7—Rep. Poppe (DFL-Austin) include controlling frequency or voltage, mitigating SF 1—Sen.Westrom(R-Elbow Lake) transmission congestion, providing emergency power Effective date July 1, 2019 supplies during outages, reducing curtailment of Chapter 1 of the 2019 First Special Session Laws is the existing renewable energy generators, and reducing Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing peak power costs. Omnibus Bill.As such, it may not immediately appear Effective:May 31, 2019 to be a piece of legislation of interest to MMUA or its members. It is, however, an example of why any bill ii. Article 11, section 3 Amends Minn. Stat. could bring harm or benefits to municipal utilities and §216B.1642, subd. 2, by requiring any owner of a so- 4 234 lar site wishing to claim their site provides benefits to viii. Article 11, section 9 amends Minn. Stat. § gamebirds, songbirds and pollinators, to also report their 216C.436, subd. 4 by limiting the principal amount site management practices to the Board of Water and financed, under the PACE program, to the greater of Soil Resources by June 1, 2020, or the June 1 following 20 percent of assessed value or 20 percent of the appraised the start of operations if after June 1, 2019, and then at value. least once every three years. Effective July 1, 2019. Effective July 1, 2019. ix. Article 11, section 10 amends Minn. Stat. iii. Article 11, section 4 amends Minn. Stat. §216C.436, by adding a new subd. 10 defining"real prop- §216B.2422, subd. 1 by adding a subd. 7 which provides erty" and"fixtures" for cost-effective energy improve- a definition to"Energy storage system."Among other ments financed under a PACE loan program. requirements, such system must achieve any of the fol- Effective:July 1, 2019. lowing: reduction of peak demand; deferral of the need to or substitution for an investment in electric generation, x. Article 11, section 11 amends 2017 Session Laws transmission, or distribution assets; improves the reli- Chapter 94, article 10, section 18 by transferring funds able operation of the electrical transmission or distribu- not spent as of July 2, 2017 under the Made in Minneso- tion systems while ensuring transmission or distribution to Solar Rebate Program to the renewable development needs are not created; lowers consumers'costs by storing account (RDA). energy when generating or purchasing cost is low, and Effective May 31, 2019. delivering it to customers while the cost is high. Effective May 31, 2019. xi. Article 11, section 12 amends 2017 Session Laws Chapter 94, article 10, section 29 by requiring instruc- iv. Article 11, section 5 amends Minn. Stat. tions on how certain funds may be deposited into the §216B.2422 by adding a subdivision 7 that requires pub- RDA. lic (investor-owned) utilities to include in their Integrat- Effective May 31, 2019. ed Resource Plans, an analysis of how the deployment of energy storage systems contributes to meeting their xii. Article 11, section 12 creates a new uncodified identified generation and capacity needs and evaluating law establishing an Energy Utility Diversity Stakehold- ancillary services. er Group and Report. The Minnesota Public Utilities Effective:May 31, 2019. Commission is required to convene a stakeholder group to examine the challenges and opportunities for Minne- v. Article 11, section 6 amends Minn. Stat. sota's energy utilities to attract a diverse workforce with §216B.62, subd. 3b.by re-authorizing the Department the skills needed to advance a 21st Century industry of Commerce to assess all utilities collectively up to and to increase the diversity of energy utility suppliers. $500,000 annually for activities after June 30, 2019, to The stakeholder group must include but is not limited to carry out its statutory duty to represent the interests of stakeholders representing public utilities (IOUs), mu- Minnesota residents, businesses and governments before nicipal electric or gas utilities and electric or gas cooper- bodies and agencies outside the state that make, inter- ative associations.The commission's executive director pret or implement regional, national and international must convene the first meeting of the group. energy policy and that regulate and implement regional or national energy planning or infrastructure develop- The stakeholder group must: ment. The assessed amount per utility is proportionate • examine current and projected employment in the to their gross operating revenues from retail sales of energy utility sector; gas or electric service within the state. The assessment • provide information on possible approaches to assist authority expires June 30, 2021. workers and energy utilities to develop a diverse Effective: This section is revived and reenacted effective workforce that has the skills to build, maintain and retroactively from June 29, 2018, except that the depart- operate the electricity system of the future; ment is prohibited from making an assessment under • review key trends that have shaped employment in this subdivision to finance the performance of any duties this sector and the demographics of the sector, in- that occurred between June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019. cluding the underrepresentation of women, veterans and minorities in employment and leadership; vi. Article 11, section 7 amends Minn. Stat. § • identify the challenges to replacing retiring workers; 216C.435, subd. 3a by including new-construction, • examine the imbalance of available worker skills to renovation, and retrofitting as possible cost-effective utility workforce needs; and energy improvements. • identify the challenges and possible approaches to Effective:July 1, 2019. increasing supplier diversity. The stakeholder group must also consider whether vii. Article 11, section 8 amends Minn. Stat. information regarding workforce and supplier diver- §216C.435, subd. 8, by allowing new construction to sity should be included and considered as part of any qualify as qualifying commercial real property. resource plan filed by a utility with the commission. By Effective July 1, 2019. January 15, 2020, the group must issue a report to the 5 235 House and Senate energy policy and finance committees Fee Limits identifying its findings and recommendations for estab- Regular Session Laws, Chapter 27 lishing a more diverse workforce and increasing supplier HF 823—Rep. Nelson,M. (DFL—Brooklyn Park) diversity within the electric energy sector. SF 998—Sen. Koran (R—North Branch) Effective July 1, 2019. Effective August 1, 2019 Creates a new statute, §471.462, requiring any city, xiii. Article 11, section 14 creates a new uncodified statutory or home-rule, upon request, to provide any section of law requiring a report on the cost-benefit applicant seeking approval of real-estate development analysis of Energy Storage Systems. The Department or construction, with a written but non-binding estimate of Commerce must contract with an independent con- of consultant fees to be charged to the applicant based sultant selected through a request for proposal process on information available at the time. If requested, an to produce a report analyzing the potential costs and application shall not be deemed complete until the city benefits of energy storage systems, as newly defined in has provided the estimate to the applicant, received all §216B.2422, subd. 1, in Minnesota. The study may also required application fees, signed acceptance of the fee include scenarios examining energy storage systems estimate by the applicant, and a signed statement that that are not capable of being controlled by a utility. The the applicant has not relied on the estimate of fees in its Department must engage a broad group of Minnesota decision to proceed with the final application. stakeholders, including electric utilities and others, to develop and provide information for the report. Public Safety/Hands Free Law Regular Session Laws, Chapter 11 The study must: HF 50—Rep. Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) • Identify and measure the different potential costs and SF 91—Sen. Newman (R-Hutchinson) savings produced by energy storage system deploy- Effective August 1, 2019 ment, including but not limited to: Amends Minn. Stat., §169.011, subd. 94 and§169.475 by • generation, transmission and distribution facilities expanding the list of prohibited uses of a cell phone or asset deferral or substitution; portable electronic device capable of receiving and trans- • impacts on ancillary services costs; mitting data(collectively known as "wireless commu- • impacts on transmission and distribution congestion; nications devices")while a person is operating a vehicle • impacts on peak power costs; in motion or which is a part of traffic (such as when • impacts on emergency power supplies during outages; stopped at a traffic signal) so that all the following uses • impacts on curtailment of renewable energy genera- are prohibited while on streets and highways: tors; and Initiating, composing, sending, retrieving, or reading • reduced greenhouse gas emissions. electronic messages such as e-mail, text messages, voice- • Analyze and estimate the: mail, transmitted images, instant messages, transmitted • costs and savings to customers that deploy energy gaming data, or other data transmitted using a common- storage systems; ly recognized electronic communications protocol; • impact on the utility's ability to integrate renewable Engaging in a cellular phone call, including initiating a resources; call, talking, listening, or participating in video calling; • impact on grid reliability and power quality; and Accessing video content, audio content, images, games, • effect on retail electric rates over the useful life of a or software applications stored on an electronic device. given energy storage system compared to providing the same services using other facilities or resources; A person may use their cell phone or other electronic de- • Consider the findings of analysis conducted by the vice while operating a motor vehicle on street or highway Midcontinent Independent System Operator on en- only by using voice commands or when a single-touch ergy storage capacity accreditation and participation will allow the driver to activate or deactivate the device, in regional energy markets, including updates of the or a function or software application on the device, and analysis; and without holding the device. Scrolling or typing on a de- • Include case studies of existing energy storage appli- vice is not an authorized voice command, single-touch, or cations currently providing the benefits described in hands-free use of the device. clauses (1) and(2). A vehicle shall not be deemed in motion or a part of By December 31, 2019, the Department must submit the traffic if it is legally stopped, is in a location that is not study to the House and Senate energy policy and finance designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, and is committees. The Department is appropriated $150,000, not obstructing traffic.A device or feature physically available through June 30, 2020, to conduct the study, integrated into a vehicle, a global positioning system and may not spend more than that amount for purposes (GPS)that is only capable of being used for navigation of it. purposes, and two-way radios, citizen-band radios, and Effective May 31, 2019. amateur radio equipment used in accordance with FCC rules and regulations shall not be considered wireless communications devices under the new law. Data trans- 6 236 mitted between a motor vehicle and an electronic device Water Connection Fees in the vehicle, data transmitted by a two-way radio, CB Special Session Laws, Chapter 9, Sec. 21 radio, or lawfully used amateur radio, or data transmit- HF 14—Rep. Liebling(DFL—Rochester) ted automatically without direct initiation of a person, SF 12—Sen. Benson(R- Ham Lake) shall not constitute an electronic message. Effective January 1, 2020 The first violation of the new a law can result in a $50 Amends Minn. Stat. §144.3831, subd. 1. by increasing fine, plus costs.Any subsequent violation shall be sub- the annual fee amount from $6.36 to$9.72 that the Corn- ject to a $275 fine, plus costs. missioner of Health may assess for every service connec- tion to a public water supply that is owned or operated by a home rule charter city, a statutory city, a city of the first class, a town, or a water user district. Section 3 - 2019 Legislative Efforts That Didn't Make It Yet CIP Reform the language on the floor into the House's Omnibus Jobs HF 1839 Rep. Ecklund(DFL-International Falls) Bill failed. Both bills remain alive for the 2020 session, SF 1915 Sen. Rarick(R-Pine City) and MMUA hopes to be able to work with the authors This legislation reflects a joint MMUA/MREA effort to to get the law passed. MMUA attempted to resolve the allow municipals and co-ops to claim CIP energy savings issue directly with DOLI, whose basis for not allowing credit for energy-efficient electrification, to allow util- anyone under 18 to mow is not completely clear as their ity-optional 1-to-5-year plan timeframes, repeal mini- own website has four memos reaching four different mum expenditure requirements, and the ability to opt- interpretations of a vaguely worded rule that refers to out of CIP assessments for the state's CIP R&D grant "powered machinery"but then cites things like forklifts program and sustainable buildings program. Drafted and other heavy industrial equipment as examples. after months of joint meetings between MMUA, MREA and our respective members, this legislation sought to Salary Cap Repeal or Increase modernize CIP while preserving current conservation HF 703—Rep.Masin(DFL-Eagan) and low-income program development.After many SF 1651—Sen. Hall(R-Burnsville) rounds of negotiations resulting in a three-year cap on As introduced, the bill would repeal the"110 percent of plan duration, the reinstatement of assessments, and the Governor's salary" cap on compensation for employ- the willingness to provide accountability towards con- ees of political subdivisions (i.e., cities, counties, etc.). servation efforts, the legislation died for the year when The Senate bill was amended to increase the cap to its passage was conditioned on MMUA, MREA, and our $200,000 with annual inflationary indexing, instead of a members actively lobbying for a 100 percent carbon free full repeal. Both bills were sent to their respective floors, by 2050 mandate, and the House version of the Clean but no floor vote occurred in either chamber.As such, Energy First bill instead of the Senate's bi-partisan plan they remain alive for the 2020 session. negotiated with the industry. MMUA hopes to bring some form of reform back in 2020, or to at least lay the The House bill was amended into their regular session's foundation for hopeful post-election success in 2021. State Government Finance Omnibus bill, but failed to make the conference report due to the opposition of the Lawn Mowing by Minors Senate Chair, Sen. Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake). HF 770 Rep. Franson(R-Alexandria) The League of Minnesota Cities and the Minnesota SF 1805 Sen. Hall(R-Burnsville) Inter-County Association joined MMUA in trying to pass The proposed legislation seeks to clarify the lawful age this legislation. at which a municipality could hire a minor to perform lawn mowing services. Both bills seek to have the State's Amending the politically-related pay equity issue was Department of Labor and Industry(DOLI)rewrite State discussed, but efforts tabled while trying to resolve the Rules to allow minors at least 16 years of age to operate salary cap. MMUA is working on the pay equity issue lawn mowing equipment, both pushed and riding. This is through administrative channels to see if members'con- an MMUA-supported issue,but these bills were intro- cerns can be addressed without amending current law. If duced without MMUA's prior awareness and our support determined necessary, a bill could be introduced during was not sought. The House bill ran into partisan road- the 2020 legislative session. blocks, and the Senate bill ran into deadline problems. An attempt by Rep.Dan Fabian(R-Roseau)to amend 7 237 Section 4: Additional Carry-over Bills of Interest for 2020 The following is a listing of additional bills introduced solar garden program offered to Xcel customers, unless during the 2019 legislative session that remain of the owner provides to potential subscribers a disclosure interest to municipal utilities for the upcoming 2020 checklist developed by the Clean Energy Resource Team. session, some for positive reasons, others out of concern for possible impacts on or to municipal utilities. MMUA HF 77—Rep. Green (R-Fosston) will continue to track these bills. This list is based on the SF 594—Sen. Utke (R-Park Rapids) shared bill tracking efforts of MMUA and the McGrann, To repeal the authority of the MPCA and DNR to pro- Shea, and Carnival law firm during the 2019 legislative mulgate rules and to sunset existing MPCA and DNR sessions. rules in 2024, unless codified before then by the Legisla- ture. SF 63-Sen. Ruud (R-Breezy Point) No House companion bill HF 78-Rep. Green(R-Fosston) To prohibit the use of funds from the Reinvest in Minne- SF 596—Sen. Utke (R-Park Rapids) sota Trust Fund to pay for debt service on bonds. To restrict the Board of Water and Soil Resources from imposing penalties for violations of the 2017 buffer law HF 53—Rep. Green (R-Fosston) relating to agricultural drainage. SF 603—Sen.Utke (R-Park Rapids) To require each state agency to include as part of its an- HF 1677—Rep. Baker (R-Willmar) nual report on obsolete rules a list of all current grants SF 182—Sen. Lang(R-Olivia) of rulemaking authority under law;to require a hearing To establish a fund and claims process for businesses on a proposed expedited rulemaking when 25 or more negatively affected by the closing of the poultry waste people request a hearing(current law is 100 people). biomass energy plant in Benson. HF 165-Rep. Rarick(R-Pine City) HF 1570-Rep. Loeffler(DFL-Minneapolis) SF 100-Sen. Osmek (R-Mound) SF 297-Sen. Dziedzic(DFL-Minneapolis) To require investor-owned electric utilities to include To establish a Green Roof Task Force to review laws in assessment of energy storage systems in their Integrated other cities, states and countries regarding Green Roofs, Resource Plans; to establish criteria for energy storage roof replacement costs, and impacts of Green Roofs in- pilot projects by investor-owned utilities; to require the cluding energy usage and stormwater management. Commerce Department to contract with a third party to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of energy storage system HF 136—Rep. Stephenson(DFL-Coon Rapids) technologies. SF 317—Sen. Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) To prohibit internet service providers in Minnesota from HF 167-Rep. Lee (DFL-St. Paul) violating net neutrality. SF 879-Sen. Champion(DFL-Minneapolis) To require the MPCA to offer a regulated facility subject HF 188—Rep.Lucero (R-Dayton) to an enforcement action the option to conduct or pay for No Senate companion bill. a third party to conduct a public health supplemental To repeal the prohibition on the MPUC from issuing cer- environmental project whenever the agency determines tificates of need for nuclear electric generating facilities. that pollution from the noncompliance may result in measurable impacts on the health of the population HF 818 Rep.—Persell(DFL-Bemidji) exposed to the pollution; to require the agency to report SF 318—Sen. Johnson(R-East Grand Forks) to the Legislature annually the number of enforcement To require counties to abate the state general levy on actions taken against regulated facilities, the amount of personal property that is part of an intrastate natural fees imposed and collected and other information. gas distribution or transmission pipeline construct- ed after January 1, 2018 that serves an underserved SF 102-Sen. Johnson(R-East Grand Forks) non-metro area. No House companion bill To require legislative approval to change fees related to SF 385—Sen. Bigham(DFL-Cottage Grove) personnel training for water pollution control, subsur- No House companion bill face sewage treatment systems, wastewater treatment To extend and increase the Renewable Energy Standard operators, wastewater laboratory certification and all to 50 percent by 2030 for all utilities. MPCA permit fees. SF 425-Sen. Marty(DFL-Roseville) HF 1125-Rep.Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka) No House companion. SF 105—Sen.Little (DFL-Lakeville) To require the Department of Commerce to establish, To require the MPUC not to approve any community through a stakeholder process, a planning strategy for 8 238 a sustainable energy future that ends Minnesota's use HF 439—Rep. Quam(R-Byron) of fossil fuels and makes Minnesota the first state in the No Senate companion bill. nation to use only renewable energy. To establish a business exemption from sales and use tax for internet service equipment and machinery pur- HF 2077—Rep. Swedzinski (R-Ghent) chased or leased for use directly by an internet service SF 488—Sen. Osmek(R-Mound) provider primarily in the provision of internet service. To prohibit the MPUC from approving any community solar garden program offered to Xcel customers, unless SF 633—Sen. Osmek(R-Mound) the owner: provides information about estimated output No Senate companion bill. and subscriber's initial lump sum payment recovery ac- To repeal the prohibition on the MPUC from issuing cer- cording to approved calculations;provides certain finan- tificates of need for nuclear electric generating facilities. cial security information to the Commission;provides potential subscribers with certain consumer protection HF 588—Rep. Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) measures; and takes certain other steps. SF 713—Sen. Goggin (R-Red Wing) To end Xcel's Community Solar Garden program. HF 1030—Rep. Pinto (DFL-St. Paul) SF 433—Sen.Latz (DFL-St.Louis Park) HF 894—Rep. Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) To prohibit telecommunications providers and internet SF 848—Sen. Goggin (R-Red Wing) service providers from collecting personal information To establish setback requirements for Wind Energy from a customer resulting from the customer's use of the Conversion Systems;to establish a resolution process for service provider without express written consent of the WECS-related health complaints that subjects WECS customer and to prohibit refusal of service based on a owners to buying all contiguous property owned by a customer's refusal to provide consent. prevailing complainant. HF 372—Rep. Quam(R-Byron) HF 700—Rep.Long(DFL-Minneapolis) No House companion bill SF 850—Sen. Frentz (DFL-North Mankato) To establish an account administered by the Public Fa- To extend and increase the RES, setting it in 2035 cilities Authority for loans for rural wastewater treat- at 85 percent for Xcel and 80 percent for other IOUs, ment system renovation. G&Ts and municipal power agencies; to institute a new"Carbon-Free Standard" of 100 percent for most HF 2078—Rep. Swedzinski (R-Ghent) utilities by 2050 and 2045 for Xcel. SF 514—Sen. Osmek (R-Mound) To require the MPUC not to approve any community HF 690—Rep. Quam(R-Byron) solar garden program offered to Xcel customers, unless No Senate companion bill. the owner provides to potential subscribers a disclosure To appropriate funds for a grant to the University of checklist developed by Clean Energy Resource Teams Minnesota Energy Transition Lab to perform a feasibil- (CERTs). ity study on the potential use of hydrogen from nuclear generating facilities for manufacturing, refining, agricul- HF 376—Rep. Sundin (R-Esko) tural, transportation and other purposes. SF 807—Sen. Ruud (R-Breezy Point) To appropriate money for a grant to extend an existing HF 762—Rep. Quam(R-Byron) broadband network. SF 2019—Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) To establish a loan fund for dredging to improve water HF 411—Rep. Poppe (DFL-Austin) flow for hydro-electric facilities. SF 587—Sen. Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) To issue bonds and make $128 million in appropria- HF 1170—Rep. Ecklund (DFL-International Falls) tions to the Public Facilities Authority for purposes of SF 962—Sen. Mathews (R-Milaca) Clean Water programs. To require the Board of Water and Soil Resources to as- sume the Section 404 permitting program of the federal HF 973—Rep. Persell (DFL-Bemidji) Clean Water Act. SF 627—Sen.Marty (DFL-Roseville) To reestablish the Pollution Control Agency Citizens HF 862—Rep. Poston (R-Lake Shore) Board. SF 1061—Sen. Draheim(R-Madison Lake) To require the Environmental Quality Board to develop HF 424—Rep. Sundin (R-Esko) a plan for identifying which Minnesota lakes need accel- SF 1708—Sen. Utke (R-Park Rapids) erated lake management. To require the state to pay the costs of property tax judg- ments against state-assessed property. 9 239 HF 875-Rep. Fischer(DFL-Maplewood) HF 1165-Rep. Claflin(DFL-South St. Paul) SF 1063-Sen. Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) SF 1608-Sen. Osmek (R-Mound) To modify the Clean Water Legacy Act to provide for To require investor-owned electric utilities to include coordinated watershed management. an extensive assessment of energy storage systems in their Integrated Resource Plans;to establish criteria HF 2266—Rep.Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud) for energy storage pilot projects by IOUs;to require the SF 1033—Sen. Relph(R-St. Cloud) Commerce Department to contract with a third party to To restrict the Pollution Control Agency from applying conduct a cost-benefit analysis of energy storage sys- stormwater rules to townships until it amends its rules tems. (See also HF 165/SF No. 100.) to do so. HF 1191-Rep.Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) HF 2126-Rep.A. Carlson (DFL-Eagan) No Senate companion bill SF 1039—Sen. Goggin (R-Red Wing) To establish an incentive payment for investor-owned To establish The Prairie Island Net-Zero Project with the utilities to exceed 1.9 percent annual Conservation goal of the Prairie Island Indian Community developing Improvement Program electric energy savings and 1.2 an energy system that results in net zero emissions. percent annual CIP gas savings. HF 1316-Rep. Fischer(DFL-Maplewood) HF 1234-Rep. Heintzman (R-Nisswa) SF 1045-Weber(R-Luverne) SF 1973-Sen. Mathews (R-Milaca) To repeal the sunsetting of the Legislative Water Com- To limit the number of assistant commissioners in mission. the Pollution Control Agency; to limit to 3 percent the amount of grant money the PCA may use for grant pro- HF 1671-Rep.Youakim(DFL-Hopkins) gram administration purposes. SF 1078-Sen. Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis) To extend and increase the Renewable Energy Stan- HF 2445—Rep. Mekeland (R-Clear Lake) dard, setting it in 2035 at 85 percent for Xcel and 80 SF 1372—Sen. Mathews (R-Milaca) percent for other IOUs, G&Ts and municipal power To remove the 100-megawatt size cap on hydropower agencies; setting a new"Carbon-Free Standard" of 100 sources that qualify under the Renewable Energy Stan- percent for most utilities by 2050 and 2045 for Xcel;to dard. increase the local benefits that the MPUC must seek to ensure through implementation of these standards. SF 1401—Sen. Torres Ray(DFL-Minneapolis) No House companion file. HF 1022—Rep. Long(DFL-Minneapolis) To appropriate funds for groundwater analysis, desig- SF 1423—Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) nate additional groundwater management areas and To extend Xcel's Solar Rewards Program one year to 2023. develop and implement a water education program that provides training on public use of geologic atlases and HF 1561-Rep.Swedzinski (R-Ghent) other groundwater tools. SF 1193-Sen. Osmek(R-Mound) To require Xcel to pay future community solar gardens HF 1314—Rep.Lippert(DFL-Northfield) at the lowest rate proposed under bid by developers; to SF 1403—Sen.Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis) cap the program at 25 megawatts per year. To appropriate funds to expand protection efforts for source water, including rivers and groundwater sources HF 1133-Rep.Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka) that serve private wells. SF 1424-Sen. Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) To establish a program using Renewable Development HF 1317—Rep. Bierman(R-Apple Valley) Account and general fund appropriations to award SF 2017—Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) grants to public schools for power purchase agree- To establish a refundable income tax credit of 11 percent ments with solar developers that install solar PV sys- to 15 percent of the purchase and installation cost of a tems on or in the vicinity of school buildings; to limit PV system, solar water heater or solar thermal system. utility rate increases to those schools for the duration of the PPAs. HF 1360-Rep. Long(DFL-Minneapolis) SF 1779-Sen. Pratt (R-Prior Lake) HF 1148—Rep. Christensen(DFLStillwater) To allow commercial PACE program loans up to the as- SF 2016—Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) sessed value of the property. Current law limits loan to To establish a program using Renewable Development lesser of 20 percent of property value or actual improve- Account and general fund appropriations for grants to ment cost. public schools for energy conservation improvements. 10 240 HF 1369-Rep. Christensen(DFL-Stillwater) HF 1617-Rep.Urdahl(R-Grove City) SF 1503-Sen. Goggin(R-Red Wing) SF 2021-Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) To require all public schools or school districts reporting To appropriate $60 million in funding from state bond- on their behalf to enter and maintain monthly utility ing proceeds for the Public Facilities Authority in these consumption data into the Minnesota B3 benchmarking amounts: $6 million to match federal grants for the clean program for all buildings under its custodial control. water revolving fund; $15 million for grants to munici- palities under the water infrastructure funding program; HF 1405—Rep.Stephenson(DFL-Coon Rapids) $39 million for grants to municipalities under the point SF 1456—Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) source implementation program. To require electric utilities in their Integrated Re- source Plan filings to include analyses of potential HF 1656—Rep. Persell(DFL-Bemidji) for utilization of energy storage and energy efficiency SF 2096—Sen.Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) and load management; to maximize utilization of local To remove the 300-kW limit for solar facilities on state workers for electric generating facilities construction; buildings in order to meet the current law requirement to establish state transmission planning to account of meeting 2 percent of state building energy needs with for retiring generation facilities and to create an IRP renewable energy located at the building site. group to biennially share best practices, promote co- ordination across resource plans and determine what HF 1673—Rep. Fabian (R-Roseau) other resource planning topics to discuss. SF 1972—Sen. Mathews (R-Milaca) To prohibit the PCA and DNR from adopting guidelines, HF 2342—Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) bulletins, criterion, manual standards, interpretive SF 1480—Rarick(R-Pine City) statements or similar pronouncements that meet the To appropriate money to complete the remaining obliga- definition of a rule but have not been adopted according tions for"Made in Minnesota" solar program incentive to the required rulemaking process. payments and pay administrative costs and to repeal the statute establishing the program. HF 1683-Rep.Long(DFL-Minneapolis) SF 2054-Sen.Senjem(R-Rochester) HF 2218—Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights) To require all electric and gas utilities to provide SF 1489—Sen. Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis) customer-identifiable energy usage data in a format To require all gas and electric utilities, including munic- comprehensible to the typical customer in as close to ipal power agencies, to report annually on their efforts, real-time as practicable to the customer or a third-par- goals, and plans to increase diversity in the workplace, ty authorized by the customer;to require utilities to including"workforce representation numbers and per- provide non-customer-identifiable energy usage data centages" and all procurement goals and actual spending to anyone requesting it. for female-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and small business enterprises. HF 1796-Rep. Hansen(DFL-South St. Paul) SF 1777-Sen. Jasinski (R-Faribault) HF 2638—Rep.Bierman(R-Apple Valley) To allow Xcel customers to subscribe to solar gardens in SF 1549—Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) distant counties if the facility is at least 100 feet from To appropriate $100,000 to allow DEED to update its the nearest residential property. Current law allows a Clean Energy Economy Profile which quantifies the em- customer to subscribe to facilities only in their county or ployment and wages of`clean energy'businesses. an adjacent county. HF 1945-Rep. Kresha(R-Little Falls) HF 2006-Rep. Swedzinski (R-Ghent) SF 1634-Sen. Howe (R-Rockville) SF 1824-Sen. Goggin(R-Red Wing) To make publicly available, data related to complaints To allow Xcel to recover from customers the amounts it or charges against public officials, where the public pays to the state for permission to store spent nuclear official in any city is a manager, chief, director or head fuel in storage casks at Prairie Island and Monticello. of a department, division, bureau or board. Current law limits availability of data for such positions to cities with HF 1737 Rep.Lippert (DFL-Northfield) a population of 7,500 or more. SF 1905 Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) To appropriate $8 million from the general fund to SF 1649—Sen.Koran(R-North Branch) MnDOT to support the development of supply equipment No House companion bill. for public electric vehicles, mostly with charging capaci- To require state agencies to invite vendors to discuss ty greater than 150 kW. No more than 40 percent of the a proposed contract before issuing a notice of proposed funds could be used for equipment installation within contract for professional or technical services valued at the seven-county metro area. $25,000 or more. 11 241 HF 1745 Rep. Swedzinski (R-Ghent) county and has no customer class conditions. (See also, No Senate companion bill. SF 1777). To repeal obsolete provisions in statutes relating to energy. HF 1853 Rep. Lee (DFL-St. Paul) SF 1904 Sen.Abeler (R-Anoka) HF 1751 Rep. Daudt (R-Crown) To appropriate $10 million from the general fund to the SF 2330 Sen. Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) PCA to support the development of supply equipment for To statutorily authorize construction of the Enbridge public electric vehicles, mostly with charging capacity Line 3 pipeline. greater than 150 kW. HF 1787 Rep.Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka) HF 2795 Rep.Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) SF 2368 Sen. Simonson(DFL-Duluth) SF 2046 Sen. Newton(DFL-Coon Rapids) To appropriate $6 million to establish goals and bench- To repeal the federal appliance and lighting efficiency marks and implement rapid transition toward the use standards codified in Minnesota law if the federal stan- of renewable fuels for electric and thermal energy in dards are repealed or voided. University of Minnesota campus buildings by 2030. HF 1833 Rep.Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) HF 1788 Rep.Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka) SF 2067 Sen. Osmek (R-Mound) SF 2369 Sen. Simonson (DFL-Duluth) To require the Department of Commerce to"conduct a To appropriate $6 million to establish goals and bench- study to develop a strategy for the state to advance the marks and implement rapid transition toward the use commercial application of microgrids by helping to estab- of renewable fuels for electric and thermal energy in lish pilot projects at sites owned and operated by public University of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities entities, included but not limited to the state, political campus buildings by 2030. subdivisions, and the University of Minnesota." HF 1798 Rep.Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) HF 1842 Rep.Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) SF 2066 Sen. Osmek (R-Mound) SF 2084 Sen. Osmek(R-Mound) To correct incorrect reference of"clean energy advance- To make a technical change in a statutory provision ment fund" to"renewable development" account in the related to dispute resolution for cooperative customers statute governing transfer of unspent RDA grant funds. to bring it into conformity with 2017 changes made in another statute section. HF 1938 Rep. Fabian (R-Roseau) SF 1838 Sen. Howe (R-Rockville) HF 1866 Rep. Long(DFL-Minneapolis) To establish a figurative"social permit" represented by SF 2242 Sen. Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) adoption of a resolution by every Minnesota board of To make beneficial electrification a state priority and county commissioners in support of the PCA's adoption require investor-owned utilities to submit biennial plans of any water quality standard or modification; to restrict to the PUC for promoting energy end-uses powered by such actions by the PCA from taking effect without such electricity. a"social permit." HF 1891 Rep.Vogel(R-Elko New Market) HF 1919 Rep. Christensen (DFL-Stillwater) No Senate companion bill. SF 1888 Sen. Housley (R-Woodbury) To set conditions upon municipalities that charge To create a fund with deposits from the RDA of$15 franchise fees on investor-owned utilities above what million in 2019 and $10 million annually thereafter for is necessary to defray costs associated with the utility's grants administered by the Department of Employment operations. and Economic Development to address the economic and social impact on communities affected by the retirement HF 1928 Rep. Hansen(DFL-South St. Paul) of investor-owned coal, nuclear and natural gas electric SF 2262 Sen. Eaton (DFL-Brooklyn Center) generating plants. To make appropriations to the DNR, PCA, PFA, Clean Water Fund, Board of Water and Soil Resources, and SF 1891 Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) Department of Health drinking water programs. No House companion bill. To allow Xcel customers to subscribe to solar gardens in HF 1956 Rep.Long(DFL-Minneapolis) distant counties if the facility is at least 100 feet from SF 2431 Sen. Frentz (DFL-North Mankato) the nearest residential property, and the facility owner To enact the Governor's 2019 energy policy propos- commits to providing at least 10 percent of the output to al;to establish the"Clean Energy First"program residential subscribers. Current law allows customer to to require utilities to analyze energy storage, load subscribe to facilities only in their county or an adjacent management and energy efficiency as alternatives to non-renewable large energy facility development in certificate of need proceedings and to require utilities 12 242 to participate in a transmission study to accommo- HF 2209 Rep.Hansen(DFL-South St. Paul) date retiring fossil fuel electric plants;to establish a SF 2314 Sen. Ingebrigtsen(R-Alexandria) "Carbon Free Energy Standard of 100 percent by 2050 To make appropriations for DNR and PCA and allow for all utilities under the RES;to change CIP to allow them to make changes in the levels of fees they collect. utilities to claim energy savings credit for electrifica- tion("fuel-switching")under certain conditions and HF 2211 Rep. O'Neill(R-Maple Lake) make various other changes to CIP. No Senate companion bill. To allow Xcel to recover from customers the amounts it HF 1998 Rep. Persell(DFL-Bemidji) pays to the state for permission to store spent nuclear SF 2536 Sen. Carlson (DFL-Eagan) fuel in storage casks at Prairie Island and Monticello. To remove the 300kW cap on solar facilities that may be (See also, SF No. 2008/HF 1824.) put on state buildings to meet the current requirement that all new state buildings generate 2 percent of their HF 2233 Rep. Long(DFL-Minneapolis) electric need. SF 2528 Sen. Simonson(DFL-Duluth) To establish a rebate program for purchasers of new and HF 2022 Rep. Bierman(DFL-Apple Valley) used electric vehicles funded through the RDA for Xcel SF 2061 Sen. Kent(DFL-Kent) customers and the general fund for non-Xcel customers; To require DNR and PCA to install a network of Level To establish a grant program for installers of Level 2 2 charging stations in state and regional parks in Xcel's and fast-charging electric vehicle charging stations fund- service area with$4.1 million from the RDA. ed through the RDA for stations in Xcel territory and the general fund for non-Xcel territories. HF 2221 Rep.Wazlawik (DFL-White Bear Lake) SF 2074 Sen. Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) HF 2271 Rep.Backer(R-Browns Valley) To expand the definition of"municipality" throughout SF 2240 Sen.Westrom(R-Elbow Lake) the public utilities'statutes (chapter 216B)to include To require the DNR to revise the public waters inventory urban townships. map for each county. HF 2032 Rep. Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) HF 2382 Rep.Wazlawik(DFL-White Bear Lake) SF 2201 Sen.Westrom(R-Elbow Lake) SF 2253 Sen.Wiger (DFL-Maplewood) To make appropriations from the environmental trust fund. To make available to the public protected, non-public data and confidential data in government possession, if SF 2102 Sen. Draheim(R-Madison Lake) the data are collected or retained as part of an active in- No House companion bill. vestigation or in anticipation of civil legal action for pur- To consolidate multiple state agencies and their duties poses of facilitating community awareness of, prepared- relating to water matters into a new Department of Wa- ness for, or response to a release or threatened release of ter Resources. a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant. HF 2269 Rep.Mahoney(DFL-St. Paul) HF 2513 Rep.Schomacker(R-Luverne) SF 2146 Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) SF 2316 Sen.Weber(R-Luverne) To continue the contract under which Xcel must pur- To require the PCA to promulgate rulemaking to amend chase electric output from the District Energy CHP or repeal class 3 and class 4 water quality standards. plant in downtown St. Paul. HF 2492 Rep.Garofalo (R-Farmington) HF 2189 Rep. Theis (R-St. Cloud) SF 2342 Sen. Osmek (R-Mound) SF 2217 Sen. Koran(R-North Branch) To establish a revolving loan program for installers of To define and prohibit certain conflict of interests in public electric vehicle charging stations funded through municipal bid procedures related to contracts of value the RDA for stations in Xcel territory. greater than$175,000. HF 2467 Rep.Sundin (R-Esko) HF 2104 Rep.Haley (R-Red Wing) SF 2421 Sen. Rarick(R-Pine City) SF 2615 Sen. Pratt (R-Prior Lake) To allow recovery from the contractor recovery fund for To exempt the Nuclear Decommissioning Reserve Fund claims against solar installers. from paying income tax. HF 2437 Rep. Persell(DFL-Bemidji) HF 2204 Rep.Hornstein(DFL-Minneapolis) SF 2471 Sen. Pratt (R-Prior Lake) No Senate companion bill. To establish and fund a study coordinated by the EQB to To require the Department of Administration to set max- explore the feasibility of locating solar facilities on closed imum acceptable global warming potential standards landfills. for carbon steel rebar, flat glass, mineral wool board insulation or structural steel used in state building and construction contracts. 13 243 HF 2556 Rep.Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) No Senate companion bill. HF 2681 Rep.Long(DFL-Minneapolis) To appropriate funds for the budgets of the Department No Senate companion bill. of Commerce and the Public Utilities Commission; to To require all electric and gas utilities to provide establish a program making grants to school districts customer identifiable energy usage data in a format for the purchase and installation of solar facilities on or comprehensible to the typical customer in as close to adjacent to school buildings. real time as practicable to the customer or a third-par- ty authorized by the customer; to require utilities to HF 2566 Rep.Lippert (DFL-Northfield) provide non-customer-identifiable energy usage data SF 2763 Sen. Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) to anyone requesting it. (See also HF 1683/SF No. To require the Department of Commerce to contract for 2054.) a study of the potential costs and benefits of developing a "green bank"in Minnesota to finance renewable energy HF 2715 Rep. Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) and energy efficiency projects. SF 2764 Sen. Eaton (DFL-Brooklyn Center) To require the Department of Commerce to develop HF 2592 Rep. Bierman(DFL-Apple Valley) strategies to significantly accelerate GHG reduction. No Senate companion bill. (See also HF 2625.) To authorize school boards to own, operate, sell power from and receive payment for renewable energy genera- SF 2711 Sen. Hayden (DFL-Minneapolis) tion systems that use hydro, solar, geothermal or the use No House companion bill. of trees or other vegetation. Currently, they are limited To extend and increase the RES setting it in 2035 at 85 to wind. percent for Xcel and 80 percent for other IOUs, G&Ts and municipal power agencies; to institute a new"Car- HF 2618 Rep. Stephenson(DFL-Coon Rapids) bon-free Standard" of 100 percent for most utilities by SF 2664 Sen. Hoffman(DFL-St. Paul) 2050 and 2045 for Xcel. (See also HF 700/SF No. 850.) To appropriate $500,000 for the purpose of requiring the Department of Education to issue a grant to a school HF 2740 Rep. Fischer(DFL-Maplewood) district to purchase an electric school bus. SF 2757 Sen. Matthews (R-Milaca) To appropriate $800,000 for the PCA to establish a HF 2625 Rep. Long(DFL-Minneapolis) statewide program to reduce chloride, of which $200,000 SF 2697 Sen. Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) will be used to make grants to optimize existing water To allow Xcel customers to subscribe to solar gardens in softening units or upgrade to low-salt use systems. distant counties if the facility is at least 100 feet from the nearest residential property and if at least 10 per- SF 2729 Sen. Senjem(R-Rochester) cent of the generating capacity is reserved for residen- To establish characteristics that allow a solar facility tial subscribers; to establish a solar garden program for owner to claim the site is a bee and apiary solar farm, LIHEAP recipients;and to require the Department of conservation solar farm or conservation pasture solar Commerce to develop strategies to significantly acceler- farm. ate greenhouse gas reduction. HF 2748 Rep.Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka) SF 2622 Sen. Koran (R-North Branch) No Senate companion bill. No House companion bill. To establish a state bond funded loan program allowing To require the Office of Broadband Development to school districts to purchase and install solar systems. create a"how-to guide"to assist Border-to-Border grant applicants in undertaking and broadband projects and HF 2816 Rep.Anderson(R-Starbuck) deployment activities. No Senate companion bill. To prohibit construction or expansion of community HF 2793 Rep. Sanstede (DFL-Hibbing) solar gardens outside the Twin Cities metro until the SF 2648 Sen. Tomassoni (DFL-Chisolm) Department of Commerce submits a study report to To allow a municipal utility commission to lease, sell or the Legislature on how solar gardens affect utility rate discontinue operation of its utility, in whole or in part, payers and communities where solar garden facilities without a vote of the electorate so long as the city council are located. approves. 14 244 Index House Files HF 1751 12 Senate Files SF 1805 7 HF 1787 12 SF 1824 11 HF 02 4 HF 1788 12 SF 01 4 SF 1836 4 HF 07 4 HF 1796 11 SF 02 4 SF 1838 12 HF 14 7 HF 1798 12 SF 12 7 SF 1888 12 HF 50 6 HF 1833 12 SF 63 8 SF 1891 12 HF 53 8 HF 1839 7 SF 91 6 SF 1904 12 HF 77 8 HF 1842 12 SF 100 8 SF 1905 11 HF 78 8 HF 1853 12 SF 102 8 SF 1915 7 1 HF 80 4 HF 1866 12 SF 105 8 SF 1972 11 HF 136 8 HF 1891 12 SF 182 8 SF 1973 10 HF 165 8 HF 1919 12 SF 297 8 SF 2016 10 HF 167 8 HF 1928 12 SF 317 8 SF 2017 10 HF 188 8 HF 1938 12 SF 318 8 SF 2019 9 HF 372 9 HF 1945 11 SF 385 8 SF 2021 11 HF 376 9 HF 1956 12 SF 425 8 SF 2046 12 HF 411 9 HF 1998 13 SF 433 9 SF 2054 11 HF 424 9 HF 2006 11 SF 488 9 SF 2061 13 HF 439 9 HF 2022 13 SF 514 9 SF 2066 12 HF 588 9 HF 2032 13 SF 587 9 SF 2067 12 HF 690 9 HF 2077 9 SF 594 8 SF 2074 13 HF 700 9 HF 2078 9 SF 596 8 SF 2084 12 HF 703 7 HF 2104 13 SF 603 8 SF 2096 11 HF 762 9 HF 2126 10 SF 627 9 SF 2102 13 HF 770 7 HF 2189 13 SF 633 9 SF 2146 13 HF 818 8 HF 2204 13 SF 713 9 SF 2201 13 HF 823 6 HF 2209 13 SF 807 9 SF 2217 13 HF 862 9 HF 2211 13 SF 848 9 SF 2240 13 HF 875 10 HF 2218 11 SF 850 9 SF 2242 12 HF 894 9 HF 2221 13 SF 879 8 SF 2253 13 HF 973 9 HF 2233 13 SF 962 9 SF 2262 12 HF 1022 10 HF 2266 10 SF 998 6 SF 2314 13 HF 1030 9 HF 2269 13 SF 1033 10 SF 2316 13 HF 1125 8 HF 2271 13 SF 1039 10 SF 2330 12 HF 1133 10 HF 2342 11 SF 1045 10 SF 2342 13 HF 1148 10 HF 2382 13 SF 1061 9 SF 2368 12 HF 1165 10 HF 2437 13 SF 1063 10 SF 2369 12 HF 1170 9 HF 2445 10 SF 1078 10 SF 2421 13 HF 1191 10 HF 2467 13 SF 1193 10 SF 2431 12 HF 1234 10 HF 2492 13 SF 1372 10 SF 2471 13 HF 1314 10 HF 2513 13 SF 1401 10 SF 2528 13 HF 1316 10 HF 2556 14 SF 1403 10 SF 2536 13 HF 1317 10 HF 2566 14 SF 1423 10 SF 2615 13 HF 1360 10 HF 2592 14 SF 1424 10 SF 2622 14 HF 1369 11 HF 2618 14 SF 1456 11 SF 2648 14 HF 1405 11 HF 2625 14 SF 1480 11 SF 2664 14 HF 1561 10 HF 2638 11 SF 1489 11 SF 2697 14 HF 1570 8 HF 2681 14 SF 1503 11 SF 2711 14 HF 1617 11 HF 2715 14 SF 1549 11 SF 2729 14 HF 1656 11 HF 2740 14 SF 1608 10 SF 2757 14 HF 1671 10 HF 2748 14 SF 1634 11 SF 2763 14 HF 1673 11 HF 2816 14 SF 1649 11 SF 2764 14 HF 1677 8 HF 2793 14 SF 1651 7 HF 1683 11 HF 2795 12 SF 1708 9 HF 1737 11 HF 2816 14 SF 1777 11 HF 1745 12 SF 1779 10 15 245 ate=- d l. AA 4 � � € • v ' EI _ ,,t,„ 8 II i !i; 4 --,7 ,„ s ,,,, .*i ‘ 4 ,..... ,P, qiir ;- ;'111.` f, %%!::: i 44 - Al MMUA' relies on contract lobbyists,staff and most of all—members —for a successful government relations program.Some of each are pictured here, at the 2019 Legislative Conference. ifilA riff/"Age w,,, .�e Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association MMUA MMUA-St. Paul Office MMUA Training Center 3025 Harbor Lane North 161 St.Anthoy Ave. 1004 Michigan Road Suite 400 Suite 800 Marshall, MN 56258 Plymouth, MN 55447 St. Paul, MN 55103 763-551-1230 1-800-422-0119(MN) 246 Elk River Municipal Utilities 2019 GOVERNANCE AGENDA Tuesday, January 8: Tuesday, February 12: • Annual Review of Committee Charters • Review Strategic Plan and 2018 Annual Business Plan results Tuesday, March 12: Tuesday, April 9: • Oath of Office • Annual Commissioner Orientation and Review • Election of Officers Governance Responsibilities and Role • Audit of 2018 Financial Report • Financial Reserves Allocations • Review 2018 Performance Metrics Tuesday, May 14: Tuesday, June 11: • Annual General Manager Performance • Evaluation and Goal Setting Tuesday, July 12: Tuesday, August 13: • Annual Commission Performance Evaluation • Annual Business Plan—Review Proposed 2020 • Review and Update Strategic Plan Travel, Training, Dues, Subscriptions, and Fees Budget Tuesday, September 10: Tuesday, October 8: • Annual Business Plan—Review Proposed 2020 • Annual Business Plan—Review Proposed 2020 Capital Projects Budget Expenses Budget Tuesday,November 12: Tuesday, December 10: • Annual Business Plan- Review Proposed 2020 • Adopt 2020 Official Depository,Newspaper, Rates and Other Revenue and Regular Meeting Schedule • Adopt 2020 Fee Schedule • Adopt 2020 Governance Agenda • 2020 Stakeholder Communication Plan • Adopt 2020 Annual Business Plan 247