Subdivision 1. Applicability. As used in this chapter, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them, unless otherwise provided or indicated by the context.

Subd. 2. Commission. "Commission" means the Public Utilities Commission.

Subd. 3. Construction. "Construction" means any clearing of land, excavation, or other action that would adversely affect the natural environment of the site or route but does not include changes needed for temporary use of sites or routes for nonutility purposes, or uses in securing survey or geological data, including necessary borings to ascertain foundation conditions.

Subd. 4. High-voltage transmission line. "High-voltage transmission line" means a conductor of electric energy and associated facilities designed for and capable of operation at a nominal voltage of 100 kilovolts or more and is greater than 1,500 feet in length.

Subd. 5. Large electric power generating plant. "Large electric power generating plant" shall mean electric power generating equipment and associated facilities designed for or capable of operation at a capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or more.

Subd. 6. Large electric power facilities. "Large electric power facilities" means high voltage transmission lines and large electric power generating plants.

Subd. 7. Person. "Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, joint venture, private or public corporation, association, firm, public service company, cooperative, political subdivision, municipal corporation, government agency, public utility district, or any other entity, public or private, however organized.

Subd. 8. Route. "Route" means the location of a high voltage transmission line between two end points. The route may have a variable width of up to 1.25 miles.

Subd. 9. Site. "Site" means the location of a large electric power generating plant.

Subd. 9a. Solar energy generating system. "Solar energy generating system" means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to produce electricity by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy.

Subd. 10. Utility. "Utility" shall mean any entity engaged or intending to engage in this state in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy including, but not limited to, a private investor-owned utility, cooperatively owned utility, and a public or municipally owned utility.

History: 1973 c 591 s 2; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1977 c 439 s 1-5; 2001 c 212 art 7 s 1,2; 2005 c 97 art 3 s 1,2; 2014 c 254 s 17