MN SF71

Requires public utilities to construct, own, and operate a natural gas combined cycle electric generation plant on property in Sherburne County, Minnesota already owned by the utility, or alternatively idle the existing plant.

Plant must be constructed after January 1, 2018, and must conform to the utility's proposal in Public Utilities Commission docket E-002/RP-15-21 or as revised and approved in the utility's latest resource plan filed after the bill's effective date.

Exempts utilities from Minnesota Statutes sections 216B.243 and chapter 216E in undertaking this project.

Allows utilities to recover reasonable and prudently incurred costs and investments through Minnesota Statutes section 216B.16.

Requires utilities intending to construct the plant to file a cost evaluation prepared by an independent evaluator at least 20 months before construction begins and may request a sliding scale rate of return mechanism to incentivize cost control.