SF3870 Summary

• Appropriates $150,000 from the renewable development account for fiscal year 2019 to conduct an energy storage systems cost-benefit analysis.

• Modifies renewable development account utility contributions by extending the January 15, 2018 transfer deadline to January 15, 2022 and restructuring annual transfer amounts to $16,000,000 for either Prairie Island or Monticello plant in operation.

• Expands solar energy incentive program from 20 kilowatts to 40 kilowatts direct current nameplate capacity and allows fifth-year applications to be amended without reapplication for systems exceeding 20 kilowatts.

• Establishes pension rate base cost recovery for public utilities and creates framework for energy storage system pilot project cost recovery through Public Utilities Commission petitions.

• Requires investor-owned utilities to include energy storage system assessments in integrated resource plans and mandates consideration of storage alternatives in new resource acquisition prudence determinations.

• Creates utility stakeholder group to direct development of uniform electronic data reporting and tracking system for energy conservation improvements, with $800,000 biennium authorization through June 30, 2022.

• Requires excavation notification center to maintain contact information database for underground facility operators available 24/7 to excavators upon request.