The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216B.16, subdivision 12, to adjust the eligibility criteria for small natural gas utilities seeking exemption from regulation by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Specifically, it raises the customer threshold from 650 to 2,500 for municipalities requesting such exemptions. The bill also clarifies that the exemption applies to both customers within the municipality and those outside its corporate limits, provided that the same tariff rates are applied to all customers. Additionally, it introduces a definition for "system," which refers to the infrastructure owned and operated by a public utility that is physically connected and serves customers.

Furthermore, the bill outlines that municipalities can rescind their exemption requests, leading to the regulation of the public utility's business by the commission. It mandates that utilities submit their approved rates to the commission annually and allows the commission to investigate complaints regarding services provided outside municipal limits. The new provisions are effective the day following final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 216B.16