Contact: MN Public Utilities Commission, Kate Kahlert
Telephone: 651-201-2239
Fax: 651-297-7073

St Paul, MN – October 18, 2010 - The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission announced its intent to amend Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7829, to set forth notice requirements for certificate of need applications for pipelines. 

The proposed rule amendments apply the same notice requirements adopted for certificate of need applications for high-voltage transmission lines to certificate of need applications for gas, petroleum, and other energy pipelines. The rules will require companies seeking certification of pipelines to file proposed plans for notifying persons reasonably likely to be affected by those lines. 

The Commission’s Notice of Intent to Adopt the proposed rule amendments, along with the proposed rules, will be published in the October 18, 2010 State Register. All documents related to this proposed rulemaking are available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.state.mn.us. 

Written comments on the proposed rules may be sent to Kate Kahlert, Commission Attorney, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place E, Suite 350, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2147, ATTN: U-999/R-06-212 by 4:30 p.m. November 23, 2010. Written comments are most effective when: (1) you identify the specific proposed rule parts you are addressing; (2) your specific recommendation; and (3) the reason for your recommendation. Please include MPUC Docket Number U-999/R-06-212 in all correspondence. If the comments contain requests for a hearing from 25 or more persons, a hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Commission offices. 

All documents, including the proposed rule amendments, are available on the MPUC’s website at www.puc.state.mn.us, select Search eDockets.