Required elements clarification in an application to the Public Utilities Commission for a certificate of need for a petroleum pipeline

This bill requires companies seeking approval to build petroleum pipelines in Minnesota to submit more detailed demand forecasts when applying for a certificate of need from the Public Utilities Commission. The legislation specifically mandates that applicants provide separate annual forecasts for motor fuel and other refined petroleum products covering a 15-year period for both Minnesota and neighboring states. These forecasts must account for multiple factors including population growth, vehicle efficiency, electric vehicle adoption rates, and changes in crude oil prices and transportation infrastructure. Companies must also explain their underlying assumptions and how potential changes in those assumptions could affect their projected demand.