MN SF141

Shifts burden of proof in utility disputes to the public utility rather than the qualifying facility in section 216B.164, subdivision 5.

Requires the prevailing party in disputes to recover costs, disbursements, and reasonable attorneys' fees, unless the qualifying facility's claims are found to be in bad faith, a sham, or frivolous.

Allows municipal electric utilities to self-regulate through their governing bodies (city councils or equivalent boards) instead of being regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, provided they adopt consistent rules.

Enables cooperative electric associations to opt out of Public Utilities Commission regulation by electing to assume regulatory authority through board resolution and adopting dispute resolution rules.

Terminates any pending proceedings at the Public Utilities Commission involving cooperative electric associations on the effective date of this section.