HF 3343

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; creating wind energy conversion system aggregation program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 216F.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216F.09] WECS AGGREGATION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin The entity selected to provide rural wind
development assistance under Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 2, section 3, subdivision 6,
shall also establish a wind energy conversion system (WECS) aggregation program. The
purpose of the program is to create a clearinghouse to coordinate and arrange umbrella
sales arrangements for groups of individuals, farmstead property owners, farmers'
cooperative associations, community-based energy project developers, school districts,
and other political subdivisions to aggregate small-volume purchases, as a group, in order
to place large orders for wind energy conversion systems with WECS manufacturers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Responsibilities. new text end

new text begin The entity shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide application procedures for participation in the program;
new text end

new text begin (2) set minimum standards for wind energy conversion systems to be considered for
purchase through the program, which may include price, quality and installation standards,
timely delivery schedules and arrangements, performance and reliability ratings, and any
other factors considered necessary or desirable for participants;
new text end

new text begin (3) set eligibility considerations and requirements for purchasers, including
availability to the applicant of land authorized for installation and use of WECS,
likelihood of a permit being approved by the commission or a county under this chapter,
documentation of adequate financing, and other necessary or usual financial or business
practices or requirements;
new text end

new text begin (4) provide a minimal framework for soliciting or contacting manufacturers on
behalf of participants; and
new text end

new text begin (5) coordinate purchase agreements between the manufacturer and participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 1 of 2009, and each year thereafter, the commissioner
of commerce shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
senate and house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy
policy on the activities and results of the program, including the number of participants
and the number of purchases made.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Assessment; appropriation. new text end

new text begin Annual costs of the program, up to $100,000,
must be assessed under section 216C.052, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), clause (1). The
assessment is appropriated to the commissioner of commerce to be used by the director
of the Office of Energy Security for a grant to the entity to carry out the purposes of
this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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