HF 1445

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:51am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing a grant program for solar energy
projects at regional parks; appropriating money for solar energy projects in
metropolitan parks and state parks and recreation areas; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2008, section 85.019, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 85.019, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4d. new text end

new text begin Solar energy. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall administer a program to provide
grants to units of government to acquire and install solar energy equipment in regional
parks throughout the state. The commissioner shall give priority to projects that:
new text end

new text begin (1) would be part of an educational program, such as programs on solar energy,
energy conservation, or climate change or that are part of a K-12 regular academic
curriculum;
new text end

new text begin (2) would be visible to park visitors and that demonstrate the use of solar energy;
new text end

new text begin (3) would provide onsite information explaining the installation, its benefits, and
the benefits of renewable energy;
new text end

new text begin (4) would reduce the use of energy from fossil fuels;
new text end

new text begin (5) incorporate designs that reflect the aesthetics of the installation site;
new text end

new text begin (6) could be connected to the electric power grid; or
new text end

new text begin (7) would provide electricity back to the electric power grid.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; REGIONAL PARKS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for grants for solar energy projects in metropolitan
regional parks under Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019, subdivision 4d.
new text end

new text begin (b) A recipient of a grant funded by an appropriation under this section must display
a sign that identifies the project as a project funded with money from the clean water,
land, and legacy amendment to the Minnesota Constitution adopted by the voters on
November 4, 2008.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to design and install sustainable energy features,
including the use of photovoltaic solar power, at a new campground in Split Rock
Lighthouse State Park.
new text end

new text begin (b) $200,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to install photovoltaic solar power to power a new
sanitation building and campsites in St. Croix State Park.
new text end

new text begin (c) $200,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to install photovoltaic solar power to power sanitation
buildings and campsites at the Pine Ridge Campground in Itasca State Park.
new text end

new text begin (d) $750,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to
the commissioner of natural resources for installation of solar power equipment for
educational demonstration projects and to offset the use of electricity for electric baseboard
heating of camper cabins at Jay Cooke, Bear Head Lake, Afton, Sibley, Lake Carlos,
Glacial Lakes, Maplewood, William O'Brien, Wild River, and Lac Qui Parle State Parks.
new text end

new text begin (e) $100,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to install photovoltaic solar power at the Iron Range
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Gilbert.
new text end

new text begin (f) $100,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to install photovoltaic solar power to power a sanitation
building and lighting at the Silver Bay Marina.
new text end

new text begin (g) $100,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to
the commissioner of natural resources to install photovoltaic solar power to power the
rest area and visitor center at Grand Portage State Park.
new text end

new text begin (h) $200,000 in fiscal year 2010 is appropriated from the parks and trails fund to the
commissioner of natural resources to install photovoltaic solar power to power sanitation
buildings and campsites at the Lake Shetek State Park.
new text end

new text begin (i) The commissioner of natural resources must display a sign that identifies each
project funded under this section as a project funded with money from the clean water,
land, and legacy amendment to the Minnesota Constitution adopted by the voters on
November 4, 2008.
new text end