HF 1644

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; funding research on renewable energy by University of
Minnesota; delaying sunset date; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section
216B.241, subdivision 6.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 216B.241, subdivision 6, is amended to
read:

Subd. 6.

Renewable energy research.

(a) A public utility deleted text begin that owns a nuclear
generation facility in the state deleted text end new text begin , cooperative electric association, and municipal utility new text end
shall spend five percent of the total amount that utility is required to spend under
this section to support basic and applied research and demonstration activities at the
University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment for the
development of renewable energy sources and technologies new text begin and for the development of
energy conservation and efficient energy utilization technologies new text end . deleted text begin The deleted text end new text begin Each public new text end utility new text begin ,
cooperative electric association, and municipal utility new text end shall transfer the required amount
to the University of Minnesota on or before July 1 of each year and that annual amount
deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be deducted from the amount of money the utility is required to spend under
this section. deleted text begin The University of Minnesota shall transfer at least ten percent of these funds
to at least one rural campus or experiment station.
deleted text end

(b) deleted text begin Research deleted text end new text begin Activities new text end funded under this subdivision deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin may new text end include new text begin , but are
not limited to new text end :

deleted text begin (1) development of environmentally sound production, distribution, and use of
energy, chemicals, and materials from renewable sources;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) processing and utilization of agricultural and forestry plant products and other
bio-based, renewable sources as a substitute for fossil-fuel-based energy, chemicals, and
materials using a variety of means including biocatalysis, biorefining, and fermentation;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) conversion of state wind resources to hydrogen for energy storage and
transportation to areas of energy demand;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) improvements in scalable hydrogen fuel cell technologies; and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) production of hydrogen from bio-based, renewable sources; and sequestration
of carbon.
deleted text end

new text begin (1) environmentally sound production of energy from a renewable energy source
including biomass;
new text end

new text begin (2) environmentally sound production of hydrogen from biomass and any other
renewable energy source for energy storage and energy utilization;
new text end

new text begin (3) development of energy conservation and efficient energy utilization technologies;
new text end

new text begin (4) energy storage technologies; and
new text end

new text begin (5) analysis of policy options to facilitate adoption of technologies that use or
produce a renewable energy source.
new text end

(c) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the utility may, but is not required to,
spend more than two percent of its gross operating revenues from service provided in this
state under this section or section 216B.2411.

(d) new text begin For the purposes of this subdivision, "renewable energy source" has the meaning
given in section 216B.243, subdivision 3a, and "biomass" has the meaning given in section
216B.2411, subdivision 2, paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (e) new text end This subdivision expires June 30, deleted text begin 2008 deleted text end new text begin 2013 new text end .