MN HF113

Allows a public utility to construct, own, and operate a natural gas combined cycle electric generation plant at its sole discretion, notwithstanding existing statutes 216B.243 and chapter 216E.

Plant must be located on property in Sherburne County, Minnesota already owned by the utility and construction must begin after January 1, 2018.

Plant design must align with the utility's proposal to the Public Utilities Commission in docket E-002/RP-15-21 or as revised and approved in the latest resource plan filed after the bill's effective date.

Reasonable and prudently incurred costs and investments may be recovered through rate recovery mechanisms under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.16.

Utility must file an independent cost evaluation with the Public Utilities Commission at least 20 months before construction begins and may request a sliding scale rate of return mechanism to incentivize completing the project at or under forecasted costs.