Bill Summary

• Establishes the "Energy Security and Economic Development Act of 2013" to create a standard renewable rate for wind, solar photovoltaic, and anaerobic digester projects owned by qualifying Minnesota residents and entities.

• Requires electric utilities to purchase all electricity from eligible renewable projects at rates set by the Public Utilities Commission, with power purchase agreements lasting a minimum of 20 years at fixed rates.

• Creates a public benefits surcharge on retail electricity consumption starting at $0.00025 per kilowatt-hour on July 1, 2013, increasing to $0.001 per kilowatt-hour by July 1, 2016, to fund incentive payments for renewable energy generators.

• Sets capacity limits for eligible projects: wind systems up to 7 megawatts and solar photovoltaic systems up to 500 kilowatts, with individual ownership caps of up to 100 percent of one project per technology type and 12 megawatts in aggregate.

• Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish final standard rates by October 1, 2013, and to annually review and adjust rates as needed to achieve Minnesota's renewable energy objectives.