Bill > SF425

This bill modifies the regulations for small natural gas utilities in Minnesota by changing the customer threshold for exemption from Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) oversight. Currently, a municipality could request an exemption for utilities serving 650 or fewer customers, but the bill would raise this limit to 2,500 customers within the municipality and allow for up to 5,000 total customers across the utility's system. The bill clarifies that exemptions apply to both customers within and outside municipal corporate limits, provided that the same tariff rates are applied consistently. The utility must still adopt the commission's cold weather disconnection policies and submit annual rate approvals. The bill introduces a new definition of "system" as physically connected infrastructure owned by a single utility and receiving wholesale gas from one supplier. The PUC retains the ability to investigate the utility's operations if complaints arise, and municipalities can still rescind their exemption request at any time, which would return the utility to full PUC regulation. The changes are intended to provide more flexibility for small natural gas utilities while maintaining basic consumer protections.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0425&ssn=0&y=2025