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Vol. 14, No. 8 <br />March 25, 2011 <br />With most attention at the state capitol focused on the budget and the big-ticket energy <br />bills subject to negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Dayton°s administration, the <br />last couple weeks were quiet on the energy front.. <br />That is about to change. <br />The House Environment, Eneray and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee <br />on Tuesday, April 12, is scheduled to hear a slew of energy bills, including: <br />HF1025 (Beard) Utility rates required to be based primarily on cost of service between <br />and among consumer classes. <br />HF1052 (Beard) Energy customers permitted to seek exemptions from a utility's <br />conservation investment program, and clarifying changes made. <br />HF1082 (Beard) Cold weather rule electronic notification authorized. <br />HF1189 (Beard) Conservation improvement program exemption provisions modified. <br />HF1193 (Beard) Municipalities and electric cooperative associations regulations <br />amended with respect to energy conservation programs. <br />HF1212 (Anderson) Melrose Public Utilities Commission membership increased from <br />three to five members. <br />HF1375 (Scott) Renewable energy standard compliance rate impact information <br />required. <br />HF850 (Beard) Public Utilities Commission authority to approve multiyear rate plan <br />clarified, and multiple rate riders consolidated into single large energy project. <br />The meeting will re-convene Wednesday, April 13. Bills will be heard for possible <br />inclusion in an omnibus bill. According to the meeting notice, no votes will be taken. <br />Scuttlebutt is the Senate Committee on Ener¢v, Utilities and Telecommunications next <br />Tuesday and/or Thursday will be focusing on telecom issues. Testimony may include an <br />overview on the topic of broadband, including a report on the statewide broadband <br />deployment study. <br />Will municipal provision of broadband services-always a hat topic-crop up during <br />these hearings? We will be keeping a close eye on developments. <br />Look for a report on these items, along with other issues of interest, next week. <br />