6.1. ERMUSR 06-14-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The House Commerce Committee, chaired by Representative Joe Hoppe, Wednesday, May 11 heard a HF 1692, a lengthy, freshly-introduced bill that would make comprehensive changes to Chapter 237, Minnesota telecommunications law. The committee simply discussed the bill, which even the chairman referred to as "the AT&T bill." That tag is certainly troubling to municipal interests. The bill appears to restrict municipal provision of video and Internet services. Section 12 of the bill addresses municipal telecommunications services. It retains the 65 percent super-majority required to construct a new telephone exchange but allows municipalities to enter joint ventures with a "telecommunications organization," which is not defined. Section 13 is troubling. It provides that when a municipality decides to acquire an existing plant by condemnation, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will fix compensation. This decision can be appealed to district court. Despite occasional concerted efforts dating back to the late 1990s, Minnesota's nearly century-old telecommunications law has resisted efforts to bring it into the digital age. Does HF 1692 signal a new charge to update state telecom law, or is itsimply slate-session curiosity? Time will tell, but we know this: much time will be spent dissecting and examining this bill for possible implications heading into next session. The big news on the energy front is Wednesday's House passage of SF 86, known as the coal moratorium repeal bill. The final bill passed on the House floor on a 76-54 vote. The bill was amended on the floor by its author, Rep. Michael Beard (R-Shakopee) with language that appears to clear the way for Great River Energy to import power into the state from its Spiritwood Station coal-fired plant near Spiritwood, North Dakota. The bill also allows 2,500 megawatts of electric generating capacity, in aggregate, from new large energy facilities or power purchase agreements with new large energy facilities that are fueled by what appears to be, by definition, lignite coal. The 2,500 megawatt provision appears to some observers to be potential trade bait to be used in negotiations with the Governor's office. The bill was approved by the Senate 42-18 on April 14. The Senate is scheduled to take up its omnibus energy bill today. Vol. 14, No. 12 May 13, 2011