MN HF4620

Establishes a right for "eligible customers" (large industrial customers paying above the national average for electricity) to contract with investor-owned utilities for market-based power supply within six months of qualification notice.

Eligible service pricing must be set at either the utility's cost for renewable energy under a power purchase agreement or the locational marginal price from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator wholesale market.

Contracts for eligible service may include fees not exceeding ten percent above the power supply price and do not require Public Utilities Commission approval.

Eligible customers remain qualified for five years from first noncompliance with national average electricity cost benchmarks or for the duration of any written contract, whichever is longer.

Utilities failing to offer eligible service within required timeframe are liable for treble damages and reasonable attorney fees; utilities are prohibited from assessing charges or penalties against eligible customers for receiving this service.