Minnesota Distributed Generation Tariff Development and Resources

Welcome to the online resources page for the regulatory proceedings to establish Distributed Generation Tariffs and Interconnection standards in Minnesota.

NOTE: People looking for the materials from the multi-year stakeholder and working group process that led to the adoption of the MN Distributed Generation Interconnection Standards - click here for the archive of materials

Also, find many resources below on this page on DG standards development in other States (CA, MI, NJ, NY, TX and WI), FERC, MISO, and the IEEE.

The work is directed by the September 28, 2004, Order Establishing DG Standards - issued by the MN Public Utilities Commission as a result of a policy established by Minnesota Statutes §216B.1611

Proposed Otter Tail Power DG Tariff

• Final Order on Otter Tail Power's DG Tariff - issued by PUC, March 21, 2006
• PUC Staff Briefing Paper - on Otter Tail Power's proposed DG Tariff, prepared for PUC meeting, January 26, 2006
• Errata to the Comments of the MN Department of Commerce - filed October 4, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2013]
• Comments of the MN Department of Commerce - filed August 31, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2013]
• Comments of the DG Coalition - filed May 25, 2005
• Otter Tail Power's Proposed DG Tariff Filing - filed December 22, 2004
  • Petition for Approval of a Modified Stand-By Tariff and a New Distributed Generation Service Rider
  • Proposed Distributed Generation Service Rider
  • Modified Stand-By Service Tariff

Proposed Dakota Electric DG Tariff

• PUC Order Approving DG Rider and Stand-by Service - issued June 28, 2006
• PUC Staff Briefing Paper - issued June 8, 2006
• Compliance Filing - submitted by Dakota Electric, March 20, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2049]
• PUC Order on Tariff Riders and Related Documents As Modified - issued by the PUC, February 17, 2006
• 2005 Distributed Generation Report - submitted by Dakota Electric, January 24, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2049]
• PUC Staff Briefing Papers - issued December 20, 2005
• Reply Comments - submitted by Dakota Electric, August 31, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2049]
• Comments of the MN Department of Commerce - filed August 8, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2049]
• Comments of the DG Coalition - filed May 25, 2005
• Dakota Electric - filed December 27, 2004
  • Petition to Implement a Distributed Generation Tariff

Proposed Xcel Energy DG Tariff

• PUC Order Approving DG Tariff and Stand-by Service Rider - issued July 14, 2006
• PUC Staff Briefing Paper - issued June 8, 2006
• Proposed Compliance DG Tariff - submitted by Xcel Energy, February 17, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2055]
• Annual Report on Distributed Generation Interconnections - submitted by Xcel Energy, January 31, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2055]
• PUC Staff Briefing Paper - on Xcel Energy's proposed DG Tariff, prepared for PUC meeting, September 29, 2005
• Supplemental Reply Comments of Xcel Energy - filed August 19, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2055]
• Supplemental Comments of the MN Department of Commerce - filed August 9, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2055]
• Reply Comments of Xcel Energy - filed June 13, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2055]
• Comments of the MN Department of Commerce - filed May 25, 2005
• Comments of the DG Coalition - filed May 25, 2005
• Xcel Energy's Proposed DG Tariff - filed December 27, 2004 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2055]

Proposed MN Power DG Tariff

• PUC Order Approving DG Tariff Rider and Stand-by Service - issued June 28, 2006
• PUC Staff Briefing Paper - issued June 8, 2006.
• Rate Revision - submitted by MN Power, February 28, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2030]
• Compliance Filing - submitted by MN Power, January 31, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2030]
• Compliance Filing - submitted by MN Power, January 5, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2030]
• PUC Order Approving DG Tariff Rider and Related Documents - issued by the PUC, November 7, 2005
• PUC Staff Briefing Paper - on MN Power's proposed DG Tariff, prepared for PUC meeting, September 29, 2005
• Reply Comments of MN Power - filed August 4, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2030]
• Comments of the MN Department of Commerce - filed June 30, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2030]
• Comments of the DG Coalition - filed May 25, 2005
• Minnesota Power - filed December 22, 2004
  • Petition for Approval of a New Distributed Generation Tariff

Proposed Interstate Power and Light [Alliant Energy] DG Tariff

• PUC Order Approving DG Tariff Rider and Stand-by Service - issued July 7, 2006
• PUC Staff Briefing Papers - issued by the PUC, June 29, 2006
• PUC Order Approving Tariff Riders and Related Documents - issued by the PUC, March 22, 2006
• PUC Staff Briefing Papers - issued by the PUC, February 9, 2006
• Revisions to 11/4/05 Comments - issued by the Dept. of Commercer, January 31, 2006 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2041]
• Reply Comments - submitted by Interstate Power and Light Co., December 16, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2041]
• Comments of the MN Dept. of Commerce - issued by the Dept. of Commercer, November 4, 2005 [get via e-Dockets - Docket: 04-2041]
• Comments of the DG Coalition - filed May 25, 2005
• Interstate Power and Light [Alliant Energy] - filed December 22, 2004
• • Petition for Approval of a New Distributed Generation Tariff

PUC ORDER ON DG STANDARDS - September 28, 2004

• Order Establishing DG Standards - issued by the MN PUC, September 28, 2004

PUC Staff Briefing Papers - prepared for meeting on July 20, 2004 and July 27, 2004

• Staff Briefing Papers on DG Rate Guidelines (see also Attachment A and Attachment B)
• PUC Staff Briefing Papers on DG Technical Standar

Information on DG Tariffs in Minnesota

1. Public Utilities Commission Generic Distributed Generation and Interconnection Proceeding(Docket No. E-999/CI-01-1023)

The Minnesota Legislature required that the PUC adopt standards for interconnection of distributed generation that uses natural gas or an equally clean or cleaner fuel under 10 MW in Minnesota that should remove some barriers to deployment of these technologies.

• Order Establishing Two Working Groups and Setting Schedule - issued by the MN PUC, June 19, 2002
• Case Control File Sheet for Docket No. E-999/CI-01-1023 - a chronological listing of all filings in this proceeding

2. Xcel Energy's Distributed Generation Energy Tariff (Docket No. E-002/M-01-937)

As part of the merger settlement agreements between Xcel Energy and various parties, the utility was directed to submit a filing to the MN Public Utilities Commission to clarify and make it easier for distributed energy generation to be connected to their power grid.

• Distributed Generation Standard Interconnection and Power Purchase Tariff - less than or equal to 2 MW; MPUC Tariff Section 10, sheets 36-72 (including interconnection requirements, power purchase contract, application to interconnect form for items 1-3, interconnection agreement).
• General Distributed Generation Tariff - 0-40 kW net metered, all >2 MW up to 10 MW and any less than or equal to 2 MW situations and configurations not covered in #1 or #2 above; MPUC Section 9, sheets 1-12 (including general interconnection requirements and interconnection agreement.)
• Order Approving Distributed Energy Tariff With Modifications - issued by MN PUC, July 29, 2002
• Case Control File Sheet for Docket No. E-002/M-01-937 - a chronological listing of all filings in this proceeding

3. Xcel Energy's Small Wind Energy Tariff (Docket #E002/M-00-1747)

As part of the merger settlement agreements between Xcel Energy and various parties, the utility was directed to submit a filing to develop a tariff for small wind energy systems.

• Xcel Energy's Small Wind Tariff Rate Sheet
• Order Approving Small Wind Energy Tariff with Modifications - issued by the MN PUC, August 10, 2001

4. Xcel Energy DG Interconnection Information

The below link is to the set of information that Xcel Energy use to make available to customers that were interested in installing generation on their system. See Xcel Energy's MN Interconnection Guidelines For Customer-Owned Generation

6. Otter Tail Power Interconnection

• Otter Tail Power Interconnection Information and Guidelines
• Interconnection Process and Technical Documents - for projects proposed on OTP's distribution system.
• Interconnection Process and Technical Documents - for projects proposed on OTP's transmission system.
• Small power producer rider (Net energy billing rate) - Residential - Farm - general service - Large general service

7. Dakota Electric Interconnection

• Dakota Electric Association Distributed Generation Interconnection Information

8. Historical PUC Documents

• PUC Order Approving Dispersed Generation Plan - In the Matter of the Petition of Northern States Power Company for Approval of its 1991 Resource Plan, April 5, 1993 (Docket No. E-002/RP-91-682)
  This interesting piece of the historical regulatory record contains the following statement. "The Company considered dispersed generation a resource option worth developing for several reasons. Disbursed generation can supply part of the system's future need for peaking capacity. It can meet specific customers' needs for backup generation, arguably at lower total costs than customer-owned backup capacity. It can improve overall system reliability. It can reduce transmission and distribution costs and losses. It can help position the Company to exploit new technologies, such as fuel cells, being developed outside the traditional large power plant context."

INFORMATION FROM OTHER STATES, FERC, MISO, PJM, AND IEEE

California

California's electricity woes have led the state down a path to stabilize their electricity supply. They have instituted a program where for the next two years any qualifying distributed power project will be exempt from stand-by charges for the next 10 years. Even more incentives are provided to solar pv distributed generation projects of up to 1 MW in size. The primary Distributed Generation regulatory proceeding at the California PUC is Rulemaking 99-10-025

• Decision that Exempts generators eligible for net energy metering from paying for costs associated with interconnection studies, distribution system modifications, or application review fees - issued by the California PUC, March 21, 2002
• Interim Decision Adopting Stand-By Rate Design Policies - issued by the California PUC, July 12, 2001
  
  
• PG&E: Rule 21 - Generating Facility Interconnections
• SDG&E: Rule 21 - Interconnection Standards for Non-Utility Owned Generation
• SCE: Rule 21 - Generating Facility Interconnections
  
  Related Site
• California Energy Commission's Distributed Generation Site
• California Air Resources Board (CARB) Distributed Generation Statutes and Guidance

Michigan

• The Michigan Public Service Commission has issued an Order on Electric Interconnection Rules and Standards, July 8, 2003 [Complete Proceedings from Docket U-13745].

New Jersey

• Natural Gas Price Breaks for Distributed Generation - New Jersey
  New Jersey Natural Gas Company (NJNG) received approval in January 2003 from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to offer a special pricing plan to residential and commercial customers who use natural gas to fuel distributed generation (DG) technologies like fuel cells or microturbines. Under the rates, commercial and residential DG projects could see savings of up to 50 percent on their fuel costs. More...

New York

In December 1999, the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC) issued a final order addressing interconnection of distributed generation (DG) resources of 300 kilowatts (kW) or less. The order addresses general technical guidelines for interconnection and application procedures. As part of an ongoing review of the requirements, substantive revisions were proposed and adopted in 2002 and 2003. Further review process in 2003 yielded changes consisting primarily of an increase in the upper capacity threshold from 300 kW to 2 MW, the adoption of an Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) standard for equipment certification, and the extension of the applicability beyond only radial distribution systems to also now include network distribution systems. The NY PSC adopted new rules in November 2004.

• New York State Standardized Interconnection Requirements For Distributed Generators 2 MW or Less Connected In Parallel With Utility Distribution Systems - as of November 2004
• Listing of Certified Distributed Generation Equipment - as of December 2004
• Order Modifying Standardized Interconnection Requirements - issued by the NY PSC, November 17, 2004 [view all documents for this Docket 02-E-1282]
• Order on Gas Transportation Rates for Distributed Generation Technologies - issued by the NY Public Service Commission, August 4, 2004 [view all documents for this Docket 02-M-0515]
• The orders via the link below direct NY utilities to modify their standby rates for customers with interconnection distributed generation projects. Standby rates are seen as a significant barrier for DG projects and the modifications in New York provide a nice incentive for DG projects while at the same time protect other customers from significant economic harm. The utilities involved are Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. and Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation.
  
  Recognizing the environmental benefits of certain energy sources, customers that start DG operations between August 1, 2003 and May 31, 2006, using certain environmentally beneficial technology or small, efficient combined heat and power applications of less than one megawatt, can choose among three options. They can elect to remain on the current standard rate indefinitely, shift immediately to the new standby rate, or opt for a five-year phase- in period beginning on the effective date of the new standby rates. Under the standby rate decision, environmentally beneficial technology would include wind, solar, biomass, fuel cell technology, tidal, geothermal, and methane waste.
  • View all documents related to New York's Stand-by Rates Dockets 02-E-0551, 02-E-0779, 02-E-0780, 02-E-0781, 02-E-1108
• New York Department of Public Service has a section on Distributed Generation and also a very nice section on the Debate over Stand-by Charges for Distributed Generation

Texas

The Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) adopted final rules (Project No. 21220) in December 1999 addressing technical and contractual issues related to installing distributed resources. The Texas standards place the burden of proof on the utility to show if an interconnection should be disallowed. The Commission adopted a standard interconnection agreement and a standard tariff interconnection form. The PUC also released a final version of their Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual (Project No. 21965).

• Texas Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual - Final - March 2001
  • § 25.211 - Interconnection of On-Site Distribution Generation (DG)
  • § 25.212 - Technical Requirements for Interconnection and Parallel Operation Of On-Site Distribution Generation
• Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) adopted final rules Project No. 21220 in December 1999
  • Texas Distributed Generation Tariff Form - [MS Word]
  • Interconnection Agreement Form - [MS Word]

Wisconsin

Wis. Stat. § 196.025(4)) required the WI Public Service Commission to study the establishment of a program for providing incentives for the development of high-efficiency, small-scale electric generating facilities. New rules for inteconnection of DG projects of 15 MW and less were adopted in February 2004.

• Rules for Interconnecting Distributed Generation Facilities in Wisconsin - WI Administrative Code Chapter PSC 119, February 2004
• Distributed Generation Interconnection Procedure and Forms - April 2004

Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO)

• Midwest Independent System Operator's Interconnection Pages
  • Large Generator (>20 MW) Interconnection Procedures and Agreements
  • Small Generator (<20 MW) Interconnection Procedures and Agreements
• MISO Generation Interconnection Queue Tables - Without Withdrawn Projects - With Withdrawn Projects - Queue Map - ongoing updates

PJM's Small Generation Interconnection Working Group

• Home page of the PJM Interconnection's Small Generation Working Group
  FERC has accepted PJM Interconnection's proposal that makes it easier for small generators (less than 2MW) to connect to the electric system and participate in PJM's wholesale electricity market, the world's largest. The PJM working group is now working on standards for DG units between 2-10 MW.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

• FERC's Generator Interconnection Activities
  • Standard Interconnection Agreements for Wind Energy and Other Alternative Technologies - FERC Proposed Rulemaking, ongoing as of January 2005
  • Standardization of Small Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures - Final Rule, FERC Order No. 2006, May 12, 2005
  • Standard Interconnection Agreements and Procedures for Large Generators (>20MW) - Final Rule, FERC Orders No. 2003-A and 2003-B issued March 5, 2004 and December 20, 2004, respectively.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) DG Standards

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Coordinating Committee 21 continues development of the IEEE P1547 Draft Standard for Distributed Resources Interconnected with Electric Power Systems.

• IEEE Standards website
• P1547 Working Group Web site

Distributed Generation Reports and Misc. (by date if possible)

1. • 2004 MN Electric Utility Qualifying Facilities Report - MN Department of Commerce, October 2004
     Generation data from interconnected qualifying facilities in 2003 that sell electricity to Minnesota electric utilities.
     • 1986-2004 MN Electric Utility Qualifying Facilities Report - October 2004
       Historical generation data from interconnected qualifying facilities from 1986-2003, such as wind turbines and solar projects, that sell electricity to Minnesota electric utilities.
   • Small Is Profitable: The Hidden Economic Benefits of Making Electrical Resources the Right Size - Rocky Mountain Institute, 2002
   • Underwriter Laboratories - safety and performance certification of electronic equipment including DG systems
     • Distributed Generation Equipment and Energy section
   • Summary of State Net Metering Programs - DOE's Distributed Power Program, ongoing updates
   • Model DG Interconnection Agreement and Procedures - National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), July 2002
   • National Regulatory Research Institute's Distributed Generation Resources - research arm of NARUC
     • State by State Resources and Comparisons of Distributed Generation Procedures
   • Distributed Generation Strategic Plan - California Energy Commission, June 2002
   • Making the Nation Safer: The Role of Science and Technology in Countering Terrorism - National Research Council, June 2002
   • State by State Connecting to the Grid - by Interstate Renewable Energy Council
   • Distributed Generation Interconnection Tool Kit - a number of resources to help electric cooperatives address the legal, economic and technical issues raised by consumer-owned generation. Put together by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Cooperative Research Network, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. and Energy Co-Opportunity, May 2002
   • New Rules Project Section on Interconnection Standards for Distributed Power
   • Developing Rates for Distributed Generation - National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 2001
   • Sharing the Load: Local Electric Energy Generation and Distribution - conference summary, St. Cloud, MN, March 29-31, 2001
   • Public Financing of Self-Generation: Costs and Benefits of Onsite Photovoltaic, Fuel Cell, and Micro-turbine Systems - Office of Ratepayer Advocates, CA Public Utilities Commission, January 2001
   • Making Connections: Case Studies of Interconnection Barriers and their Impacts on Distributed Power Projects - prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, May 2000.
   • Profits and Progress Through Distributed Resources - by David Moskovitz, February 2000
   • Clean-Power.com's Research on Distributed Generation - nice selection of reports and links
   • Yahoo Discussion Group on Distributed Generation - ongoing
   • Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Connecting to the Grid Web Site - offers a state by state table of interconnection rules for distributed power generators and other resources.
   • Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

FEDERAL RESOURCES

• DOE's Distributed Energy Resources Home Page