MN HF1205

Requires a certificate of need approval under Minnesota Statutes section 216B.243 for high-voltage transmission lines of 100 kilovolts or more within the metropolitan area with route permit applications filed between June-August 2011 and certificate of need applications filed between June-August 2012.

Certificate of need may only be approved if the Public Utilities Commission finds by clear and convincing evidence that no feasible, cost-effective, and available distribution-level alternative exists to the transmission line.

Suspends further routing proceedings for the described transmission line until the Public Utilities Commission determines the transmission line is needed.

Becomes effective the day following final enactment and applies to route permits and certificate of need applications pending on or after the effective date.