Article 1 – Permitting

Section 1 [Permitting efficiency; DNR] simplifies the process for the Commissioner of Natural Resources in notifying the project proposer of any deficiencies in a permit application and starts the 150-day clock upon initial submittal.

Section 2 [Water supply plans] modifies the requirement for water conservation requirements in local water supply plans.

Section 3 [Demand reduction measures] broadens the type of demand reduction measures that may be in local water supply plans.

Section 4 [SDS permits; feedlots] provides that state disposal system (SDS) permits for feedlots are for a term of ten years.

Section 5 [Permitting efficiency, PCA] simplifies the process for the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) in notifying the project proposer of any deficiencies in a permit application and starts the 150-day clock upon initial submittal. This section also provides for expedited approval of a permit submitted to the PCA by a permit professional licensed by the state with at least ten years of permit application experience. 

Section 6 [PCA permits; commenced construction] allows a person to commence construction or modification to a facility prior to the issuance of a construction permit from the PCA, unless it is prohibited by federal law.

Section 7 [Manure digester permit] eliminates the need for an air emission permit for electrical generation equipment associated with an on-farm manure digester outside of the metropolitan area or city of the first or second class.

Section 8 [Minnesota Business First Stop] directs the Commissioner of DEED to coordinate the implementation and administration of state permits. This section provides for specific duties of the commissioner to coordinate state permits and to provide specific assistance to applicants for state permits, and other approvals necessary for a project.  The commissioner may negotiate a schedule to assess a project proposer for the cost of coordination.

Article 2 – Environmental Review

Section 1 [Cellulosic biofuel definition] modifies the definition of cellulosic biofuel to clarify that it includes harvested wood.

Section 2 [Mandatory EIS] specifies that a mandatory environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required for cellulosic biofuel and biobutanol facilities producing less than 125 million gallons of fuel annually.  This section also provides for process coordination in EIS hearings.

Section 3 [Review of EAW and EIS requirements] directs the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), PCA, DNR, and Department of Transportation, after consultation with political subdivisions, to submit every five years to the governor and the legislature a list of categories of mandatory environmental assessment worksheets (EAW) and environmental impact statements (EIS) performed in the last year and information on the intended purposes, the relationship of the EAW or EIS to other permit requirements, and an analysis of options for the mandatory category.

Section 4 [Pilot program for alternate form of environmental review] provides for a pilot alternative for environmental review of certain projects.

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