MN SF1537

High-voltage transmission lines longer than one mile with 100+ kilovolts capacity located in first-class cities with population density exceeding 8,000 persons per square mile and running parallel within one-half mile of a below-grade bike and walking path along a river require a certificate of need under Minnesota Statutes section 216B.243.

An organization experienced in neighborhood-level energy conservation must submit a report by February 15, 2011 to legislative committees containing energy conservation projections, cost estimates per unit of energy saved, and estimates of green jobs created in the transmission line's focused study area.

A community steering committee must be convened with representatives from residents, businesses, churches, institutions, hospitals, and local officials to provide input on the report, with all meetings held publicly with advance notice.

The serving utility may apply energy savings from implemented efficiency recommendations in the report toward its energy-savings goal under Minnesota Statutes section 216B.241.

Up to $307,000 in fiscal year 2011 appropriated to the commissioner of commerce to implement the act, with $100,000 allocated to the city of Minneapolis to grant to a selected organization serving as project manager for the neighborhood energy reduction report.