MN SF32

Authorizes a public utility and the St. Paul district heating and cooling system cogeneration facility to jointly file a new power purchase agreement with the Public Utilities Commission by December 31, 2021, effective through December 31, 2023.

Requires the cogeneration facility to continue using waste wood as its primary fuel source and establishes compliance requirements for ash tree waste from emerald ash borer quarantine areas, including certification or chipping standards.

Mandates electricity pricing comparable to refuse-derived fuel costs and prohibits increases to utility ratepayers' total costs.

Requires the proposal to include an electrification project evaluating 30, 60, and 100 percent conversion of the St. Paul district heating and cooling system to renewable energy technologies by December 31, 2027, with cost estimates and greenhouse gas emission analyses.

Allows the Public Utilities Commission to approve or reject the power purchase agreement and electrification project together (not separately) and permits the utility to recover costs through an automatic cost recovery mechanism with reasonable return on capital investment.