Minnesota Statutes 216E.02 – Siting Authority
Subdivision 1.Policy.
The legislature hereby declares it to be the policy of the state to locate large electric power facilities in an orderly manner compatible with environmental preservation and the efficient use of resources. In accordance with this policy the commission shall choose locations that minimize adverse human and environmental impact while insuring continuing electric power system reliability and integrity and insuring that electric energy needs are met and fulfilled in an orderly and timely fashion.
Subd. 2.Jurisdiction.
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 216E.02
- Commission: means the Public Utilities Commission. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Construction: means any clearing of land, excavation, or other action that would adversely affect the natural environment of the site or route but does not include changes needed for temporary use of sites or routes for nonutility purposes, or uses in securing survey or geological data, including necessary borings to ascertain foundation conditions. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Large electric power facilities: means high voltage transmission lines, large electric power generating plants, and energy storage systems. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Route: means the location of a high voltage transmission line between two end points. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Site: means the location of a large electric power generating plant. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 216E.02
- Commission: means the Public Utilities Commission. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Construction: means any clearing of land, excavation, or other action that would adversely affect the natural environment of the site or route but does not include changes needed for temporary use of sites or routes for nonutility purposes, or uses in securing survey or geological data, including necessary borings to ascertain foundation conditions. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Large electric power facilities: means high voltage transmission lines, large electric power generating plants, and energy storage systems. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Route: means the location of a high voltage transmission line between two end points. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- Site: means the location of a large electric power generating plant. See Minnesota Statutes 216E.01
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
The commission is hereby given the authority to provide for site and route selection for large electric power facilities. The commission shall issue permits for large electric power facilities in a timely fashion and in a manner consistent with the overall determination of need for the project under section 216B.243 or 216B.2425. Questions of need, including size, type, and timing; alternative system configurations; and voltage must not be included in the scope of environmental review conducted under this chapter.
Subd. 3.Interstate routes.
If a route is proposed in two or more states, the commission shall attempt to reach agreement with affected states on the entry and exit points prior to designating a route. The commission, in discharge of its duties pursuant to this chapter may make joint investigations, hold joint hearings within or without the state, and issue joint or concurrent orders in conjunction or concurrence with any official or agency of any state or of the United States. The commission may negotiate and enter into any agreements or compacts with agencies of other states, pursuant to any consent of Congress, for cooperative efforts in certifying the construction, operation, and maintenance of large electric power facilities in accord with the purposes of this chapter and for the enforcement of the respective state laws regarding such facilities.