HF 1723

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:54am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; providing economic stimulus through renewable energy and
energy efficiency grants; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING; RENEWABLE ENERGY AND
ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, "stimulus funding" or
"funding" means funding provided to the state by federal stimulus funding for energy
programs, including, without limitation, energy programs described in subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Stimulus fund allocation and use principles. new text end

new text begin (a) To the extent allowed
by federal law, the commissioner of commerce, in consultation with the commissioner
of agriculture, shall allocate and spend stimulus funding according to the following
principles:
new text end

new text begin (1) the Office of Energy Security shall maximize job retention and creation and
optimize energy conservation and renewable energy generation;
new text end

new text begin (2) consistent with the job retention and creation and energy conservation and
renewable energy goals, projects must be selected to meet federal deadlines for the
obligation and expenditure of stimulus funding;
new text end

new text begin (3) stimulus funding must be used for projects geographically distributed across
the state; and
new text end

new text begin (4) whenever practical, stimulus funding should be coordinated with existing utility
conservation programs and other leveraged funds including state investments in biofuels,
wind, and solar industries.
new text end

new text begin (b) Preference must be given to projects that leverage existing utility conservation
programs and state investments in renewable energy as well as private dollars.
new text end

new text begin (c) Eligible projects include but are not limited to projects that:
new text end

new text begin (1) improve the energy efficiency of biofuel facilities;
new text end

new text begin (2) displace fossil fuel energy inputs with energy derived from renewable resources
via anaerobic digestion, biomass gasification, or other technologies;
new text end

new text begin (3) produce biofuel or other bioenergy; or
new text end

new text begin (4) install commercial-scale solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, and wind energy.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $15,000,000 is appropriated to the commissioner of commerce from funds received
by the Department of Commerce for the state energy program from the federal American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, for the purpose of making
grants under section 1.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin REPORT.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of commerce shall report to the NextGen Energy Board
established in Minnesota Statutes, section 41A.105, the commissioner's expenditures of
stimulus funding under section 1.
new text end