MN SF3716

Establishes the Clean Energy First Act, requiring electric utilities with 100,000 kilowatts or more capacity and 10,000+ retail customers to prioritize renewable and clean energy resources in resource planning.

Defines renewable energy sources as wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass, landfill gas, and organic wastewater components, and establishes "clean energy resources" to include renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand response, and energy storage.

Requires utilities to plan for eventual retirement of nonrenewable generation resources within ten years of their depreciation term or operating license expiration, and develop economic remediation plans to assist affected workers and communities.

Prohibits the Public Utilities Commission from approving new or refurbished nonrenewable energy facilities unless utilities demonstrate that cost-effective energy savings are prioritized, clean energy combinations were thoroughly evaluated, and clean energy resources cannot cost-effectively and reliably meet the identified resource need.

Requires utilities to identify and report necessary transmission upgrades to support the retirement of nonrenewable generation facilities, and mandates the commission consider greenhouse gas reduction goals, grid reliability, renewable energy intermittency impacts, and fuel price volatility when making public interest determinations.