Bill Text: MN SF50 | 2011-2012 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Nuclear powered electric generating plants certificate of need issuance authorization; lawsuit authority; office of energy security nuclear energy study requirement
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-18 - Referred to Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications [SF50 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2011-SF50-Introduced.html
1.2relating to energy; allowing certificates of need for new nuclear power plants;
1.3authorizing certain lawsuits; requiring a study;amending Minnesota Statutes
1.42010, section 216B.243, subdivision 3b.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 216B.243, subdivision 3b, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8 Subd. 3b. Nuclear power plant; new constructionprohibited; relicensing;
1.9storage of spent fuel. (a) The commission maynot issue a certificate of need for the
1.10construction of a new nuclear-powered electric generating plant.
1.11(b) Any certificate of need for additional storage of spent nuclear fuel for a facility
1.12seeking a license extension shall address the impacts of continued operations over the
1.13period for which approval is sought.
1.14(c) By January 1, 2012, the Office of Energy Security shall conduct a comprehensive
1.15study to determine the likely future costs for storing and maintaining the spent nuclear fuel
1.16from the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant and the Monticello Nuclear Generating
1.17Plant in Minnesota for the indefinite future. In preparing the report, the Office of Energy
1.18Security shall:
1.19(1) determine the likely costs to ratepayers, local and state taxpayers, and other
1.20responsible entities should the spent fuel stay in Minnesota for 50 years, 100 years, 200
1.21years, 500 years, and indefinitely;
1.22(2) determine how long-term or indefinite spent fuel storage costs will be funded and
1.23what entities are responsible for funding;
2.1(3) determine the obligations of the state, the utility that holds title to the spent fuel,
2.2and local governments and host communities under current law and recommend to the
2.3legislature potential legislation or other actions that may be necessary for addressing
2.4long-term or indefinite storage costs and safety;
2.5(4) determine the likely impact of long-term or indefinite storage of spent nuclear
2.6fuel on host communities should the spent fuel stay in Red Wing and Monticello for 50
2.7years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, and indefinitely; and
2.8(5) determine whether long-term or indefinite storage costs could become the
2.9responsibility of the state and be funded through the general fund.
2.10(d) Effective July 1, 2011, the Office of the Attorney General may file suit against
2.11the United States Department of Energy for failing to meet its obligations to the state
2.12under the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act.
2.13(e) Proceeds from any lawsuits filed by a utility that owns a nuclear power plant in
2.14Minnesota against the United States Department of Energy for breach of contract under
2.15the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act shall be credited to the ratepayers of that utility.
1.3authorizing certain lawsuits; requiring a study;amending Minnesota Statutes
1.42010, section 216B.243, subdivision 3b.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 216B.243, subdivision 3b, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8 Subd. 3b. Nuclear power plant; new construction
1.9storage of spent fuel. (a) The commission may
1.10construction of a new nuclear-powered electric generating plant.
1.11(b) Any certificate of need for additional storage of spent nuclear fuel for a facility
1.12seeking a license extension shall address the impacts of continued operations over the
1.13period for which approval is sought.
1.14(c) By January 1, 2012, the Office of Energy Security shall conduct a comprehensive
1.15study to determine the likely future costs for storing and maintaining the spent nuclear fuel
1.16from the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant and the Monticello Nuclear Generating
1.17Plant in Minnesota for the indefinite future. In preparing the report, the Office of Energy
1.18Security shall:
1.19(1) determine the likely costs to ratepayers, local and state taxpayers, and other
1.20responsible entities should the spent fuel stay in Minnesota for 50 years, 100 years, 200
1.21years, 500 years, and indefinitely;
1.22(2) determine how long-term or indefinite spent fuel storage costs will be funded and
1.23what entities are responsible for funding;
2.1(3) determine the obligations of the state, the utility that holds title to the spent fuel,
2.2and local governments and host communities under current law and recommend to the
2.3legislature potential legislation or other actions that may be necessary for addressing
2.4long-term or indefinite storage costs and safety;
2.5(4) determine the likely impact of long-term or indefinite storage of spent nuclear
2.6fuel on host communities should the spent fuel stay in Red Wing and Monticello for 50
2.7years, 100 years, 200 years, 500 years, and indefinitely; and
2.8(5) determine whether long-term or indefinite storage costs could become the
2.9responsibility of the state and be funded through the general fund.
2.10(d) Effective July 1, 2011, the Office of the Attorney General may file suit against
2.11the United States Department of Energy for failing to meet its obligations to the state
2.12under the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act.
2.13(e) Proceeds from any lawsuits filed by a utility that owns a nuclear power plant in
2.14Minnesota against the United States Department of Energy for breach of contract under
2.15the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act shall be credited to the ratepayers of that utility.
