HF 3621 Summary

• Requires public utilities to spend 0.5-2% of gross operating revenues on energy conservation improvements, with higher percentages for utilities operating nuclear-powered plants.

• Establishes renewable energy objectives requiring electric utilities to generate increasing percentages of retail electricity from eligible renewable sources, reaching 10% by 2010 and 25% by 2025 for nuclear-powered utilities.

• Allows large electric customer facilities (peak demand of at least 2,000 kilowatts) to petition the Public Utilities Commission for exemptions from energy conservation spending requirements if demonstrating competitive pressures and reasonable conservation efforts.

• Prohibits construction of new nuclear-powered electric generating plants in Minnesota and restricts new large energy facilities unless they offset carbon dioxide emissions or demonstrate public interest benefits.

• Creates an energy and conservation account in the state treasury to fund research and development projects, with utilities required to remit contributions by February 1 annually.