Policy supports lower consumption

Low-income users of electricity could see a higher threshold on the amount of kilowatt-hours eligible for discounted rates.

Sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson), HF3493 would increase the electric rate discount from 300 to 400 kilowatt-hours of energy consumed in a billing period. The House Energy Finance and Policy Division approved the bill March 19 and sent it to the House floor. Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) sponsors a companion, SF3051, which awaits action by the full Senate.

Inverted block rates would also be authorized to support the state policy goal of reducing annual energy sales by 1.5 percent. Inverted block rates allow residents who consume less energy to pay less per kilowatt-hour than higher consumption users. The goal is to encourage lower energy usage by rewarding those who consume less, Hilty said. A similar pilot project is underway with CenterPoint Energy natural gas customers.

An amendment unsuccessfully offered by Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) would have supported the intrastate production and sale of incandescent light bulbs in Minnesota beyond the federally mandated deadline in 2012. Westrom said members of the deaf community have expressed problems with using the newer compact fluorescent bulbs in hearing-impaired devices.