1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to energy; requiring local government and Tribal approval for all solar
1.3 projects; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 216I.05, subdivision 5;
1.4 216I.10, subdivision 1.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216I.05, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.7 Subd. 5.Preapplication coordination and approval.(a) At least 30 days before filing
1.8an application with the commission, an applicant must provide notice to: (1) each local unit
1.9of government within which a site or route may be proposed; (2) Minnesota Tribal
1.10governments, as defined under section 10.65, subdivision 2; and (3) the state technical
1.11resource agencies. The notice must describe the proposed project and provide the entities
1.12receiving the notice an opportunity for preapplication coordination or feedback.
1.13 (b) An applicant applying for a permit for a solar project of any capacity must receive
1.14approval from each local unit of government and Minnesota Tribal government that has
1.15jurisdiction over the proposed site location.
1.16 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216I.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.17 Subdivision 1.Permit not required.A permit issued by the commission is not required
1.18to construct:
1.19 (1) a small wind energy conversion system;
1.20 (2) a power plant or solar energy generating system with a capacity of less than 50
1.21megawatts;
1Sec. 2.
REVISOR RSI/AD 25-0374502/17/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1707
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Mekeland and Anderson, P. H.,02/27/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy 2.1 (3) an energy storage system with a capacity of less than ten megawatts;
2.2 (4) a transmission line that (i) has a capacity of 100 kilovolts or more, and (ii) is less
2.3than 1,500 feet in length; and
2.4 (5) a transmission line that has a capacity of less than 100 kilovolts.
2Sec. 2.
REVISOR RSI/AD 25-0374502/17/25