Minnesota’s electric and natural gas utilities are required to derive at least .05% of annual gross operating revenues from energy efficiency advancement, demand-side management, and renewable energy. These pursuits must result in a 2.5% reduction in average sales beginning in 2021, based on the average weather-normalized sales of the previous 3 years. All electric utilities are required to have programs that encourage efficient lighting use. 0.2% or more of the minimum spending requirement needs to support programs for low-income customers. Up to 10% of the requirement can go toward research and development projects. Up to 10% of the requirement can be spent on solar energy projects and up to 5% of the requirement can be spent on non-solar renewable and distributed generation projects.
