1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; appropriating money for an energy technology business 
1.3 	accelerator.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; ENERGY TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS 
1.6 	ACCELERATOR.
 1.7 	(a) $400,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $400,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated 
1.8 	from the general fund to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to a Minnesota-based 
1.9 	nonprofit with demonstrated expertise and capability in energy efficiency, energy 
1.10 	technology research, and conservation improvement program delivery to establish and 
1.11 	operate an energy technology business accelerator. The grant recipient must match at least 
1.12 	$100,000 of the grant amount each year with cash or in-kind contributions. Any balance 
1.13 	remaining in fiscal year 2016 does not cancel, but is available in fiscal year 2017.
1.14 	(b) The accelerator established using grant funds in paragraph (a) shall identify, 
1.15 	research, test, evaluate, and incubate innovative energy technologies, systems, and 
1.16 	platforms that may be the basis for new cost-effective programs or to improve existing 
1.17 	programs offered by public, municipal, and cooperative utilities subject to Minnesota 
1.18 	Statutes, section 216B.241. The grant recipient shall consult with experts from Minnesota 
1.19 	utilities, the Department of Commerce, and national energy institutions in the selection of 
1.20 	technologies to be evaluated. The technologies to be evaluated may include, but are not 
1.21 	limited to, customer engagement platforms, building and equipment design, data feedback 
1.22 	systems, and advanced metering and billing. The focus of the accelerator must be on 
1.23 	energy technologies, systems, and platforms developed by Minnesota and regionally-based 
2.1 	companies, to the extent practical, which improve the efficiency of customer energy use or 
2.2 	utility infrastructure, or the integration of intermittent renewable resources.