The Minnesota Legislature is poised to pass a bill that would allow the state to take full advantage of any relief granted by federal courts in pending cases over the U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear waste disposal obligations.
State Senator Steve Murphy and state Representative Steve Timble introduced the legislation, which has support in both Houses. The legislation was introduced to ensure that state ratepayers would see immediate relief if ordered by federal courts in pending cases in the next several months.
According to Mike McCarthy, Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition administrator, the key aspect of the legislation would authorize the state's public utilities commission to oversee an escrow fund for ratepayers, if such relief is granted.
"Our legislators didn't want our residents missing out," he said. There was concern the court decision could be handed down after the Legislature adjourns this spring, McCarthy said.