HF 3938

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/02/2020 01:38pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; reestablishing a planning strategy for a sustainable energy future
that ends Minnesota's contribution to greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels;
developing a framework through a stakeholder process; reenacting repealed
language; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216C.185] PLANNING STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
FUTURE.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources, in consultation with
other state agencies and the Legislative Energy Commission, must develop a framework
for the state of Minnesota to transition to a renewable energy economy that ends Minnesota's
contribution to greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels within the next few decades. The
framework and strategy should aim to make Minnesota the first state in the nation to use
only renewable energy.
new text end

new text begin (b) In developing the framework for this transition, the Division of Energy Resources
must consult with stakeholders, including but not limited to representatives from cooperative,
municipal, and investor-owned utilities, natural resources and environmental advocacy
groups, labor and industry, and technical and scientific experts to examine the challenges
and opportunities involved to develop a strategy and timeline to protect the environment
and create jobs. The timeline must establish goals and strategies to reach the state's renewable
energy standards and prepare for the steps beyond reaching those standards.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Division of Energy Resources and its stakeholders must consider the following
in creating the framework:
new text end

new text begin (1) the economic and environmental costs of continued reliance on fossil fuels;
new text end

new text begin (2) the creation of jobs and industry in the state that result from moving ahead of other
states in transitioning to a sustainable energy economy;
new text end

new text begin (3) the appropriate energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in Minnesota
to reduce the economic losses to the Minnesota economy from importation of fossil fuels;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) the new technologies for energy efficiency, storage, transmission, and renewable
generation needed to reliably meet the demand for energy.
new text end

new text begin (d) The framework must be modified as needed to take advantage of new technological
developments to facilitate ending fossil fuel use in power generation, heating and cooling,
industry, and transportation.
new text end

new text begin (e) The Division of Energy Resources must report to the legislative committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over energy policy by January 1, 2021, and annually thereafter,
on progress toward achieving the framework goals.
new text end