Minnesota SF4503: Thermal energy network plans establishment and Thermal energy networks designation as public improvements and waterworks

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to local government; establishing requirements for thermal energy network plans; designating thermal energy networks as public improvements and waterworks; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 429.011, subdivision 5; 429.021, subdivision 1; 444.075, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 216B.16, subdivision 15; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B.

From the engrossed text, May 8, 2026:

A bill for an act relating to local government; establishing requirements for thermal energy network plans; designating thermal energy networks as public improvements and waterworks; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 429.011, subdivision 5; 429.021, subdivision 1; 444.075, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 216B.16, subdivision 15; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B. Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 216B.16, subdivision 15, is amended to read: Subd. 15. Low-income affordability programs. (a) The commission must consider ability to pay as a factor in setting utility rates and may establish affordability programs for low-income residential ratepayers in order to ensure affordable, reliable, and continuous service to low-income utility customers. A public utility serving low-income residential ratepayers who use natural gasnew text begin [ADDED: or service from a thermal energy network, as defined in section 216B.2427, subdivision 1,] new text end for heating must file an affordability program with the commission. (b) Any affordability program the commission orders a utility to implement must: (1) lower the percentage of income that participating low-income households devote to energy bills; (2) increase participating customer payments over time by increasing the frequency of payments; (3) decrease or eliminate participating customer arrears; (4) lower the utility costs associated with customer account collection activities; and (5) coordinate the program with other …

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