MN HF3313

Create new statute 116C.8301 establishing definitions and requirements for long-term storage cost estimates for spent nuclear waste in Minnesota.

Require the Public Utilities Commission to calculate estimated costs for on-site storage of spent nuclear waste for 200 years after decommissioning, including operation, maintenance, waste preparation, and repackaging expenses, with a report due to the governor and legislature by February 1, 2011.

Define "long-term storage" as spent nuclear waste storage in Minnesota for 200 years with permanent federal repository disposal after the 200th year, and "host community" as the Prairie Island Indian Community, Red Wing, or Monticello.

Require separate accounting of long-term storage costs in decommissioning funds and include estimated host community costs based on the average of the highest five years of property tax receipts for Red Wing and Monticello, with payments beginning after plant decommissioning until spent fuel is removed by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Mandate refund of money set aside under this section to utility rate payers if the U.S. Department of Energy opens a federal depository accepting Minnesota's spent nuclear waste.