H.F. 3570 - Electric Cooperative Alternative Rate Case Process

• Establishes an alternative regulatory review process for rate-regulated electric cooperative associations to file for general rate increases under new Minnesota Statutes section 216B.1615.

• Sets 12 eligibility criteria including: cooperative must have received at least 80 percent of previous rate request, cannot file more than once per 12 months, must propose no more than 6 percent base revenue increase, and cannot propose rate structure changes.

• Allows interim rates up to 50 percent of requested increase to take effect within 60 days of filing, with commission eligibility confirmation required within 20 days.

• Requires Department of Energy to conduct substantive review and file report within 90 days (extensible to 120 days); commission must make final decision within 180 days (210 days with extension).

• Commission must approve application unless it determines resulting rates would be unjust and unreasonable; if rejected, commission must determine allowable rates.