HF 393

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

A bill for an act
relating to energy; funding a study of potential for the use of geothermal heat
pumps in Minnesota.

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

Section 1. new text begin GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP STUDY.
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new text begin (a) From the money available to the Public Utilities Commission for purposes of
studies and technical assistance by the reliability administrator under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.052, and in conformity with the goals and directives of Minnesota Statutes,
section 16B.325, the reliability administrator shall perform a comprehensive technical,
economic, and environmental analysis of the benefits to be derived from greater use in
this state of geothermal heat pump systems for heating and cooling air and heating water.
The analysis must:
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new text begin (1) estimate the extent of geothermal heat pump systems currently installed in this
state in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings;
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new text begin (2) estimate energy and economic savings of geothermal heat pump systems in
comparison with fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems, including electricity use,
on a capital cost and life-cycle cost basis, for residential, commercial, and institutional
buildings;
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new text begin (3) compare the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases from geothermal heat
pump systems and fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems;
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new text begin (4) identify financial assistance available from state and federal sources and
Minnesota utilities to defray the costs of installing geothermal heat pump systems;
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new text begin (5) identify Minnesota firms currently manufacturing or installing the physical
components of geothermal heat pump systems and estimate the economic development
potential in this state if demand for such systems increases significantly;
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new text begin (6) identify the barriers to more widespread adoption of geothermal heat pump
systems in this state and suggest strategies to overcome those barriers; and
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new text begin (7) make recommendations for legislative action.
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new text begin No more than $50,000 may be expended on the analysis.
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new text begin (b) Not later than March 15, 2008, the reliability administrator shall submit the
results of the analysis in a report to the chairs of the senate and house of representatives
committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy.
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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