MN HF1182

Restricts eminent domain exemptions for public service corporations to only high-voltage transmission lines of 100 kilovolts or more and natural gas/petroleum pipelines, with ancillary substations and compressor/pumping stations.

Caps appraisal fee awards at $1,500 for most properties, but allows up to $3,000 for high-voltage transmission line cases.

Excludes natural gas distribution lines serving end users from the definition of "pipeline" for purposes of eminent domain authority.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to make specific findings that it considered locating high-voltage transmission routes on existing transmission routes and parallel highway rights-of-way, and must state reasons if not used.

Directs the Public Utilities Commission and Commissioner of Transportation to cooperate on transmission line routing policy and report any required statutory amendments to the legislature by January 15, 2011.