This bill allows Minnesota counties to create lists of high-quality agricultural land that should be protected from electric power facility development. Counties can designate parcels as agricultural priority land if they have high crop productivity ratings or are classified as prime farmland, then submit these lists to the state Public Utilities Commission. The Commission cannot issue permits for large power plants on listed land unless the county board explicitly approves an exception. Landowners receive advance notice before their property is added to a list and have the right to request removal of their parcel. The law takes effect on January 1, 2027.
This bill allows Minnesota counties to create official lists of agricultural lands that should be protected from electric power facility development. Counties can designate parcels as agricultural priority land if they have high crop productivity ratings or have been classified as prime farmland by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Once a county submits its list to the state Public Utilities Commission, the commission cannot issue site permits for large power plants on those designated lands unless the county board specifically approves an exception. Landowners have the right to opt out of having their property included on the list before the county submits it to the state. The new rules would take effect on January 1, 2027.
