HF 3178

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

A bill for an act
relating to capital investments; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds;
appropriating money for grants for the design of renewable energy projects in
K-12 public schools.

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

Section 1. new text begin DESIGN FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FOR K-12
SCHOOLS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin (a) $5,000,000 is appropriated from the bond
proceeds fund to the commissioner of commerce for grants to school districts to pay
the costs of designing renewable energy projects to generate energy used in public
K-12 schools. In awarding grants, the commissioner must determine, at a minimum,
the following:
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new text begin (1) that the physical condition of the school building is sufficient to support the
efficient operation of the renewable energy project;
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new text begin (2) that enrollment projections for the school indicate no significant possibility that
the school may close within ten years; and
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new text begin (3) that the projected cumulative energy savings exceed the grant amount and the
corresponding debt service within 15 years.
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new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, "renewable energy" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) a wind energy conversion system, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
216C.06, subdivision 19;
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new text begin (2) a solar energy system, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.06,
subdivision 17; or
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new text begin (3) a closed loop geothermal system consisting of:
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new text begin (i) continuous underground pipes in which a fluid circulates to transfer heat between
the earth and the fluid;
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new text begin (ii) a heat pump to move heat between the fluid and a building; and
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new text begin (3) a distribution system to distribute heating or cooling throughout a building.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in subdivision 1 from
the bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of finance shall sell and issue bonds of the
state in an amount up to $5,000,000 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.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end