1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to taxation; modifying the exemption for 
  1.3             property used in a small scale wind energy conversion 
  1.4             system; amending Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 
  1.5             272.02, subdivision 22. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 272.02, 
  1.8   subdivision 22, is amended to read: 
  1.9      Subd. 22.  [WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS.] (a) Small 
  1.10  scale wind energy conversion systems installed after January 1, 
  1.11  1991, and used as an electric power source are exempt. 
  1.12     "Small scale wind energy conversion systems" are wind 
  1.13  energy conversion systems, as defined in section 216C.06, 
  1.14  subdivision 12, including the foundation or support pad, which 
  1.15  (i) are used as an electric power source; (ii) are located 
  1.16  within one county and owned by the same owner; and (iii) produce 
  1.17  two megawatts or less of electricity as measured by nameplate 
  1.18  ratings.  If the same owner owns more than one such system, 
  1.19  located within one county, only the value of that owner's 
  1.20  systems that do not in the aggregate produce more than two 
  1.21  megawatts of energy as measured by nameplate ratings qualifies 
  1.22  for the exemption under this paragraph.  Any remaining value of 
  1.23  the systems is subject to paragraph (b) or (c) as applicable. 
  1.24     (b) Medium scale wind energy conversion systems installed 
  1.25  after January 1, 1991, are treated as follows:  (i) the 
  2.1   foundation and support pad are taxable; (ii) the associated 
  2.2   supporting and protective structures are exempt for the first 
  2.3   five assessment years after they have been constructed, and 
  2.4   thereafter, 30 percent of the market value of the associated 
  2.5   supporting and protective structures are taxable; and (iii) the 
  2.6   turbines, blades, transformers, and its related equipment, are 
  2.7   exempt.  "Medium scale wind energy conversion systems" are wind 
  2.8   energy conversion systems as defined in section 216C.06, 
  2.9   subdivision 12, including the foundation or support pad, which:  
  2.10  (i) are used as an electric power source; (ii) are located 
  2.11  within one county and owned by the same owner; and (iii) produce 
  2.12  more than two but equal to or less than 12 megawatts of energy 
  2.13  as measured by nameplate ratings. 
  2.14     (c) Large scale wind energy conversion systems installed 
  2.15  after January 1, 1991, are treated as follows:  25 percent of 
  2.16  the market value of all property is taxable, including (i) the 
  2.17  foundation and support pad; (ii) the associated supporting and 
  2.18  protective structures; and (iii) the turbines, blades, 
  2.19  transformers, and its related equipment.  "Large scale wind 
  2.20  energy conversion systems" are wind energy conversion systems as 
  2.21  defined in section 216C.06, subdivision 12, including the 
  2.22  foundation or support pad, which (i) are used as an electric 
  2.23  power source; and (ii) produce more than 12 megawatts of energy 
  2.24  as measured by nameplate ratings. 
  2.25     <b>[EFFECTIVE DATE.]</b> This section is effective for taxes 
  2.26  payable in 2002 and thereafter.