1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to utilities; modifying definition of energy 
  1.3             conservation improvement; amending Minnesota Statutes 
  1.4             1996, section 216B.241, subdivision 1. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 216B.241, 
  1.7   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.8      Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] For purposes of this 
  1.9   section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings 
  1.10  given them.  
  1.11     (a) "Commission" means the public utilities commission. 
  1.12     (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public service.
  1.13     (c) "Department" means the department of public service. 
  1.14     (d) "Energy conservation improvement" means the purchase or 
  1.15  installation of a device, method, or material that reduces 
  1.16  consumption of or increases efficiency in the use of electricity 
  1.17  or natural gas, including, but not limited to: 
  1.18     (1) insulation and ventilation; 
  1.19     (2) storm or thermal doors or windows; 
  1.20     (3) caulking and weatherstripping; 
  1.21     (4) furnace efficiency modifications; 
  1.22     (5) thermostat or lighting controls; 
  1.23     (6) awnings; or 
  1.24     (7) systems to turn off or vary the delivery of energy; or 
  1.25     (8) the reclamation or recycling of solid waste materials 
  2.1   into a useful product that, upon the end of its useful life, can 
  2.2   itself be reclaimed or recycled.  The term "energy conservation 
  2.3   improvement" includes a device or method that creates, converts, 
  2.4   or actively uses energy from renewable sources such as solar, 
  2.5   wind, and biomass, provided that the device or method conforms 
  2.6   with national or state performance and quality standards 
  2.7   whenever applicable.  
  2.8      (e) "Investments and expenses of a public utility" includes 
  2.9   the investments and expenses incurred by a public utility in 
  2.10  connection with an energy conservation improvement including, 
  2.11  but not limited to:  
  2.12     (1) the differential in interest cost between the market 
  2.13  rate and the rate charged on a no interest or below market 
  2.14  interest loan made by a public utility to a customer for the 
  2.15  purchase or installation of an energy conservation improvement; 
  2.16     (2) the difference between the utility's cost of purchase 
  2.17  or installation of energy conservation improvements and any 
  2.18  price charged by a public utility to a customer for such 
  2.19  improvements.