EEA Database on Distributed Generation

WHAT'S NEW:

No recent state activity has been identified.

Sources that have a potential to emit less than 50 tons per year of SO2, 25 tons of PM, 0.5 tons of lead and 100 tons of VOCs. No state notification is required for these units. If a new unit will be installed at a facility that has already triggered permitting, the new unit can still avoid a permit if (federal) New Source Review does not apply and the unit's potential emissions are below the following rates:

NOx, SO2 or VOC: 2.28 lb/hr
PM-10: 0.855 lb/hr
CO: 5.70 lb/hr or
Lead: 0.025 lb/hr

MINOR SOURCE PERMITTING

A source can take a fuel consumption limit that will keep its emissions below 50 tons per year. Sources that choose this option will get a registration permit, which state officials describe as "quick and easy." Sources with a potential to emit greater than 50 tons per year are required to obtain a state operating permit. These sources will have to complete human impact modeling (a single worksheet) and meet a 20% opacity limit.

A minor source permit may be amended to allow installation of a new unit if the associated emissions increase does not exceed:

NOx, SO2, or VOC: 9.13 lb/hr
PM-10: 3.42 lb/hr
CO: 22.8 lb/hr or
Lead: 0.11 lb/hr

The facility may begin installation of the unit seven working days after the application is received by the agency but may not start up until approval is received.

There is a 30 day public comment period for state operating permits and no comment period for registration permits. The entire permitting process can take up to 60-90 days.

MAJOR NSR/PSD PERMITTING

A potential to emit 250 tons (100 tons for listed sources) of any criteria pollutant triggers PSD.

TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY ENGINES

The potential to emit for emergency engines is based on 500 hours of operation per year. These units can only operate during power outages and for maintenance.

SITING REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-UTILITY GENERATORS:

The Minnesota Legislature has established a state policy to locate large electric power facilities in an orderly manner compatible with environmental preservation and the efficient use of resources. The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board has the responsibility for siting power plants over 50 MW. The legislature directed the EQB to designate sites that minimize adverse human and environmental impact while ensuring continuing electric power system reliability and integrity and ensuring that electric energy needs are met and fulfilled in an orderly and timely fashion.

The state maintains a detailed Power Plant Siting information site.

BUILDING, ZONING AND FIRE CODES:

Building Codes: Minnesota enforces the 2007 Minnesota State Building Code, which is based on the 2006 IBC with some exceptions. The code is the minimum standard for all building in the state and has already been adopted by many municipalities.

Construction Codes and Standards

Energy Codes: Current Minnesota Energy Code-Commercial Buildings references ASHRAE 90.1-1989. Proposed updates (estimated fall 2008) will reference ASHRAE 90.1-1994. The code is mandatory state-wide.

Energy Office

Fire Codes: Minnesota enforces the Minnesota State Fire Code, which is based on the 2006 IFC.

State Fire Marshal

Zoning: Zoning and planning happens at the local level. Check with each jurisdiction regarding their zoning codes.

Resources (information may not be as current as provided above)

A general overview of each state’s enacted codes can be found HERE.

The International Code Council Adoption page gives state-by-state adoption status of specific ICC codes, as well as information about code adoption by some municipal governments within that state.

Information about energy codes can be found at the DOE’s Building Codes for Energy Efficiency page or at the Building Codes Assistance Project.

INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifying generation facilities with a capacity up to 40 kW are eligible for net metering, and there is no statewide capacity limit for net metering. Generic standards for net metering interconnection of facilities up to 10 MW were adopted by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in September 2004. Uniform and streamlined interconnection applications also address safety, economics, and reliability issues. All utilities have compliance tariffs approved by the PUC. For more detailed information see the Order Establishing Standards, Docket E-999/CI-01-1023, or contact the PUC.

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 E. 7th Place, 3rd Floor
St. Paul, MN 55101-2147

Stuart Mitchell
Phone: (651) 201-2242
Fax: (651) 297-7073
E-Mail:stuart.mitchell@state.mn.us

EXIT FEES:

Not applicable. There is no statewide policy on exit fees, and no utilities charge them.

UTILITY STANDBY RATES:

Minnesota does not have a statewide policy on standby rates.

Minnesota Power - Standby Rider: Standby service for customers with generation under 60 kW is available through their standard rate schedule. For customers with generation over 60 kW, a reservation fee is charged each month. Actual usage is billed through demand and energy charges. Billing demand is based on the maximum 15 minute demand period of the month with no ratchet. More rate information is available at: http://www.mnpower.com/sitemap.htm

Northern States Power Co (Exel Energy) - Standby Service Rider: Standby service is totally demand-based with a reservation fee based on contract demand. Actual usage is billed under the regular rate for the customer based on size. Billing demand is typically based on the higher of the maximum 15 minute demand of the month or 50% of the maximum set in the previous 11 months. Rate information is available at:

http://www.xcelenergy.com/Business/Programs_Resources/Pages/Energy_Prices_Rates_and_Tariffs.aspx

Minnesota

WHAT'S NEW:

AIR EMISSIONS REGULATIONS:

BUILDING, ZONING AND FIRE CODES:

EXIT FEES: