HF 2161

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:00am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing grant program for renewable energy projects;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT PROGRAM.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner of commerce shall establish a program to award grants to
energy projects that meet the following conditions:
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new text begin (1) the project qualifies as a community-based energy development (C-BED) project,
as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1612, subdivision 2, paragraph (g);
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new text begin (2) for wind projects, the project must be located in an area where the measured
wind resource is Class 4 or above;
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new text begin (3) the project begins commercial operation after July 1, 2009;
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new text begin (4) the project does not receive renewable energy payment incentives under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.41; and
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new text begin (5) the project meets any other conditions established under the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5, for use of these funds.
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new text begin (b) The department shall develop an application form, application review procedures,
criteria that projects must meet in order to be considered for a grant award, procedures
and guidelines for project monitoring and evaluation, and other administrative procedures
necessary to fully implement a grant program.
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new text begin (c) The maximum grant to a project is $500,000.
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new text begin (d) No more than two projects in a single county may receive a grant under this
section.
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new text begin (e) No C-BED qualifying owner may financially participate in more than one project
that receives a grant under this section.
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new text begin (e) Grant awards must be geographically dispersed throughout the state.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $15,000,000 is appropriated from federal stimulus funding received by the Office
of Energy Security from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public
Law 111-5, to the commissioner of commerce for grants to renewable energy projects,
as provided in section 1.
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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