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SF3209 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Additional information requirement in a public utility's resource plan

Related bill: HF2986

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The goal of this bill is to improve energy efficiency and enhance renewable energy use in Minnesota. It mandates that public utilities provide additional detailed information in their resource plans, particularly concerning virtual power plants.

Main Provisions

  • Additional Information in Resource Plans: Public utilities must include estimates of how a virtual power plant program will reduce peak energy demand during winter and summer in their resource plans. This aims to make energy use more efficient and environmentally friendly.

  • Virtual Power Plant Program: The bill requires public utilities to develop and submit a virtual power plant tariff and program to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The program is designed to manage energy resources more efficiently by integrating distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and home batteries, into a unified, managed system.

  • Cost Recovery: The bill allows utilities to recover costs associated with implementing the virtual power plant program. This provision ensures that utilities can afford to invest in new and innovative energy technologies without financial loss.

  • Reports Requirement: Utilities are required to provide detailed reports to ensure transparency and accountability in their energy strategies and plans.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Minnesota Statutes section 216B.2422, subdivision 2, by specifying that resource plans filed by utilities must now include an estimate of peak energy demand reduction due to virtual power plant programs and the expected costs associated with these programs.

Relevant Terms

  • Public utility
  • Virtual power plant
  • Renewable energy resources
  • Cost recovery
  • Resource plan
  • Energy conservation

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 31, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnergy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A requirement for utilities to include estimates of reduction in system peak attributable to a virtual power plant program."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the resource plan filing requirements for utilities under section 216B.2422.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies the need for utilities to file a least cost plan for meeting a portion of energy needs through conservation and renewable resources."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "216B.2422",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section provides definitions that relate to the requirements specified under section 216B.2422.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "216B.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  }
]

Sponsors