HF 5097 Summary

• Public Utilities Commission must initiate a proceeding by September 1, 2024, to establish generic standards for allocating utility costs to upgrade distribution systems and increase hosting capacity for distributed generation facilities (maximum 10 megawatts).

• Cost allocation standards must ensure fair pro rata cost-sharing among distributed generation project owners based on expanded capacity utilized, with provisions for minimum upgrade thresholds and refunds for overpayments.

• Public Utilities Commission must establish a new full-time interconnection ombudsperson position to assist applicants, track disputes, facilitate dispute resolution, review utility policies, and prepare reports on interconnection issues.

• Electric utilities must assess a $35 surcharge on each interconnection application filed by distributed generation facility owners in Minnesota, remitted monthly to the Public Utilities Commission.

• Surcharge revenues fund the ombudsperson position through a special revenue account, with the commission authorized to adjust the surcharge annually to ensure adequate funding and maintain appropriate reserves.