Lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty agreed on what was described as historic renewable energy and conservation legislation earlier this year, and major components become law Wednesday.

A renewable energy standard requires most utilities to derive a quarter of their electricity production from renewable sources - including wind, solar and hydroelectric generation - by 2025. Xcel Energy has a tougher mandate.

Ratepayers will not notice a difference in their electricity bills. A provision included in the law is meant to prevent significant price hikes for consumers.

There is an effort to push renewable energy initiatives, but not at the expense of cost or reliability, said Ed Garvey, deputy commissioner at the Department of Commerce.

"I guess on Aug. 1 there's going to be a small group that's going to notice (the law) and it will grow and grow to benefit many Minnesotans," Rep. Aaron Peterson, DFL-Appleton, said of the new standard.

Still, its effect is already noticeable in western Minnesota as utility companies begin to upgrade service stations and transmission equipment, Peterson said. Also, while utilities are to gradually increase their renewable energy generation over the next 18 years, landowners in wind-rich areas of the state could benefit by leasing land for wind turbines, he said.

In addition to the electricity standard, a plan to derive 25 percent of all energy used in Minnesota from renewable sources by 2025 goes into law Wednesday. That joins a long-term goal to reduce the use of fossil fuels by 80 percent by 2050.

Other state laws that take effect Aug. 1 include:

- Retail gift cards cannot have expiration dates or service fees.

- People pumping gasoline into their vehicle must stay near the fuel nozzle. Violators would not be subject to penalties, but could be denied gas service.

- Event tickets, such as for concerts or professional sporting contests, can be sold for a rate higher than their face value. So-called ticket scalping previously was illegal in Minnesota.

- Mortgage brokers are prohibited from making a new loan unless the borrower is counseled on the offer. Also, brokers cannot arrange a loan without verifying the borrower's ability to repay.

- Nurses at most state facilities can say no to working overtime hours, just as nurses in the private sector are allowed.

- Military personnel or family members are allowed to back out of consumer contracts such as cable television service if they are deployed or transferred.

- Resort owners can upgrade or replace existing structures even if it would not meet local ordinance, as long as they continue operating as a resort. Also, resorts can expand their structures to comply with building codes, but cannot build closer to a shoreline.

- Firewood sold across state lines must include information including its harvest location. The law is an attempt to prevent the spread of invasive species that damage trees.

- School districts must include bullying through electronic sources, including the Internet and cell phones, in their anti-bullying policies.

- Anyone under 18 must have written parental consent before getting body parts pierced. Ear piercing is exempted.

- Hospitals must give sexual assault victims unbiased information about emergency contraceptives and provide the drugs at the patient's request, if they are safe.

- A program offering payments to retired volunteer emergency response workers is now called the Cooper/Sams Volunteer Ambulance Program. It is named for former DFL lawmakers Rep. Roger Cooper of Bird Island and Dallas Sams of Staples, who worked to establish the program. Sams died of cancer in March.

- More military personnel are eligible for grants of up to $2,000, which are funded by the Support Our Troops license plate program.

- State agencies can purchase diesel fuel in bulk at current prices to avoid potentially higher future prices.

The statewide smoking ban, a closely watched bill during the 2007 legislative session, does not go into effect until Oct. 1.

Wente works for Forum Communications Co., which owns The Forum. He can be reached at (651) 290-0707 or swente@forumcomm.com