Minnesota Statutes Utilities (Ch. 216-216H) § 216B.246. Federally approved transmission lines; incumbent transmission lineowner rights

Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

(b) “Electric transmission line” means a high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 100 kilovolts or more and associated transmission facilities.

(c) “Incumbent electric transmission owner” means any public utility that owns, operates, and maintains an electric transmission line in this state; any generation and transmission cooperative electric association; any municipal power agency; any power district; any municipal utility; or any transmission company as defined undersection 216B.02, subdivision 10.

Subd. 3. Commission procedure. (a) If an electric transmission line has been approved for construction in a federally registered planning authority transmission plan, the incumbent electric transmission owner, or owners if there is more than one owner, shall give notice to the commission, in writing, within 60 days of approval, regarding its intent to construct, own, and maintain the electric transmission line. If an incumbent electric transmission owner gives notice of intent to build the electric transmission line then, unless exempt from the requirements ofsection 216B.243, within 12 months from the date of the notice described in this paragraph, the incumbent electric transmission owner shall file an application for a certificate of need undersection 216B.243or certification undersection 216B.2425.

(b) If the incumbent electric transmission owner indicates that it does not intend to build the transmission line, such notice shall fully explain the basis for that decision. If the incumbent electric transmission owner, or owners, gives notice of intent not to build the electric transmission line, then the commission may determine whether the incumbent electric transmission owner or other entity will build the electric transmission line, taking into consideration issues such as cost, efficiency, reliability, and other factors identified in this chapter.