1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; authorizing joint ventures among
1.3 	certain municipal utilities and private parties;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 452.25, by
1.5 	adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 452.25, is
1.8 	amended by adding a subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 7.Additional authority for biomass energy
1.10 	resources. In addition to the authority and powers granted to
1.11 	municipal utilities in this section, the municipal utilities of
1.12 	Virginia and Hibbing may also enter into one or more joint
1.13 	ventures, with or without private investors, in order to plan,
1.14 	finance, build or modify, and operate electric generation and
1.15 	related facilities capable of producing and using biomass
1.16 	resources in fulfillment of the biomass electric energy mandate
1.17 	contained in section 216B.2424, subdivision 5a, paragraph (b).
1.18 	A joint venture entered into under this subdivision that
1.19 	includes private investors is exempt from section 465.719,
1.20 	subdivisions 9 through 14.
1.21 	
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day
1.22 	following enactment.