HF 1553

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:52am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; creating local government renewable energy grant program;
authorizing bonds; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216C.147] LOCAL GOVERNMENT RENEWABLE ENERGY
GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in
this subdivision have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Local government" means a home rule charter or statutory city, county, port
authority, or town.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Renewable energy systems" mean solar thermal water heating, solar electric or
photovoltaic equipment, wind energy conversion systems of 3.3 megawatts nameplate
capacity or less, and heating and cooling applications using geothermal energy.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of commerce shall develop,
implement, and administer a local government renewable energy system grant program
under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant purposes. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may make grants to local governments
to finance the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Technical standards. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall determine technical
standards for renewable energy systems to qualify for grants under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Grant proposals. new text end

new text begin At least once a year, the commissioner shall publish in
the State Register a request for proposals from local governments for a grant under this
section. Within 45 days after the deadline for receipt of proposals, the commissioner shall
select grant proposals based on the following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (1) the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the renewable technology to be installed
under the proposal;
new text end

new text begin (2) the extent to which the proposal effectively integrates with the conservation and
energy efficiency programs of the energy utilities serving the local government;
new text end

new text begin (3) the extent to which the local government has maximized other cost-effective
energy efficiency and conservation improvements;
new text end

new text begin (4) the total life cycle energy use and greenhouse gas emissions reductions per
dollar of installed cost;
new text end

new text begin (5) the geographic distribution of grant recipients throughout the state;
new text end

new text begin (6) the percentage of total project cost requested; and
new text end

new text begin (7) other criteria the commissioner may determine to be necessary and appropriate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Minnesota product preference. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law to the
contrary, any contract for the purchase of renewable energy systems or related services to
be paid with or out of grant funds provided under this section, must be awarded to the
lowest responsible bidder having its principal place of business in Minnesota or who
uses a majority of parts manufactured or produced in the state in the assembly of a final
product, unless the local government grantee determines that it would be inconsistent
with the public interest, the cost would be unreasonable, or the products or materials of
the class or kind to be used are not produced or manufactured in the state in commercial
quantities and of a satisfactory quality.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Grant terms. new text end

new text begin The maximum grant to a local government under this
section may not exceed $........
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Account; appropriation. new text end

new text begin A local government renewable energy system
grant account is established in the bond proceeds fund in the state treasury. Money in the
account consists of the proceeds of bonds appropriated to the account and other earnings
on money in the account, legislative appropriations, and money from any other source
credited to the account. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of
commerce to make local government renewable energy system grants under this section.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin LOCAL GOVERNMENT RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM GRANT
ACCOUNT; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the local government
renewable energy system grant account for the purpose of making grants under Minnesota
Statutes, section 216C.147.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin BOND AUTHORIZATION.
new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in this act from the bond proceeds fund, the
commissioner of finance shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an amount up to $....... 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