HF 2627

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/20/2023 03:57pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; appropriating money for solar on closed landfills; requiring a
feasibility analysis.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; RETIRE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR
CLOSED LANDFILLS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of management and budget to retire general obligation bonds associated with
closed landfills to locate solar projects at closed landfill facilities. This appropriation must
be expended only on retiring bonds for closed landfills located outside of the electric service
territory of the public utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph
(j), $5,000,000 is appropriated from the renewable development account in the special
revenue fund to retire general obligation bonds associated with closed landfills to locate
solar projects at closed landfill facilities. This appropriation must be expended only on
retiring bonds for closed landfills located inside of the electric service territory of the public
utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779.
new text end

new text begin (c) The amount available in paragraphs (a) and (b) are only available when the
commissioner of management and budget determines that the closed landfill site may be
released from the state's bonding restrictions. In order to make the determination under this
paragraph, the commissioner must conduct a feasibility analysis for the proposed retiring
of the general obligation bonds associated with the closed landfill described in paragraphs
(a) and (b). The analysis must include a discussion on the feasibility of replicating the
approach used under this section for other closed landfills that are encumbered by a bond
and associated restrictions. The commissioner must submit the determination and feasibility
analysis to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with
jurisdiction over capital investment, energy, and environment by June 15, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR FOR CLOSED
LANDFILLS.
new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of commerce for grants to utilities to develop solar projects on closed landfills.
The appropriation under this paragraph must be expended only on grants to utilities that are
located outside of the electric service territory of the public utility that is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 116C.779.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph
(j), $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the renewable development account
in the special revenue fund to the commissioner of commerce for grants to utilities to develop
solar projects on closed landfills. The appropriation under this paragraph must be expended
only on grants to utilities that are located inside of the electric service territory of the public
utility that is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779.
new text end