HF 1259

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:46am

A bill for an act
relating to capital improvements; authorizing the sale and issuance of state
bonds; appropriating money for grants for the installation of solar energy projects
in K-12 public schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin INSTALLATION OF SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS IN K-12
SCHOOLS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 is appropriated from the bond
proceeds fund to the commissioner of commerce for grants to school districts to pay the
costs of installing solar energy projects to generate energy used in public K-12 schools,
including swimming pools owned and operated by the school district. In awarding grants,
the commissioner must determine, at a minimum, the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) that the physical condition of the school building is sufficient to support the
efficient operation of the solar energy project;
new text end

new text begin (2) that enrollment projections for the school indicate no significant possibility that
the school may close within ten years; and
new text end

new text begin (3) that the projected cumulative energy savings exceed the grant amount and the
corresponding debt service within 15 years for a qualifying solar thermal project, and
within 20 years for a photovoltaic device.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, "solar energy" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) a photovoltaic device, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.06,
subdivision 16; or
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new text begin (2) a qualifying solar thermal project, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.2411, subdivision 2, and which includes modifications made to a distribution system
to distribute heating or cooling throughout a building.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in subdivision 1 from
the bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of finance shall sell and issue bonds of the
state in an amount up to $5,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect
prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675, and by the Minnesota
Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end