Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases the Minnesota Conservation Program's energy savings goal from 1.5 to 2.5 percent.

Highlights:

• Increases the state energy policy goal to achieve annual energy savings to at least 2.5 percent of the annual energy sales of electricity and natural gas through multiple measures, including, but not limited to (Sec. 3):

• Cost-effective energy conservation improvement programs;

• Rate design;

• Energy efficiency achieved by energy consumers without direct utility involvement;

• Advancements in statewide energy codes and cost-effective appliance and equipment standards;

• Programs designed to transfer the market or change consumer behavior;

• Energy savings resulting from efficiency improvements to the utility infrastructure and system; and

• Other efforts to promote energy efficiency and energy conservation.

• Defines “consumer-owned utility” as a municipal gas utility, a municipal electric utility, or a cooperative electric association (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes a public utility to petition the Public Utilities Commission for authorization to invest in a project to further the development, commercialization, and deployment of innovative clean energy technologies that benefit the public utility’s customers (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates for the following 3 years $6 million for more innovative clean energy technologies to a public utility providing service to over 200,000 customers and $3 million for a public utility providing service for less than 200,000 customers (Sec. 2).

• Defines “innovative clean energy” as advanced energy technology that is (Sec. 2):

• Environmentally superior to technologies currently in use;

• Expected to offer energy-related, environmental, or economic benefits; and

• Not widely deployed by the utility industry.

Full Bill Text