This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.16, subdivision 12, to modify the eligibility criteria for small natural gas utilities to be exempt from regulation by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The bill increases the customer threshold for exemption from 650 to 2,500 customers within a municipality, while also allowing for a total of 5,000 customers when considering those served outside the municipality's corporate limits. Additionally, the bill clarifies that municipalities can request exemptions for specific portions of a public utility's business and mandates that the same tariff rates apply to customers both inside and outside the municipality.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and requirements, including a definition of "system" as the physically connected infrastructure owned and operated by a public utility. It also stipulates that public utilities must submit their municipally approved rates to the commission annually and allows the commission to investigate complaints related to services provided outside of municipalities. If a municipality rescinds its request for exemption, the commission will then regulate the public utility's business in that area. The changes are set to take effect the day following final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 216B.16