HF 2855

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/13/2023 10:12am

A bill for an act
relating to commerce; requiring a report; appropriating money for a pilot program
to reduce energy use in controlled environment agriculture.

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

Section 1. new text begin PILOT PROGRAM TO REDUCE ENERGY USE IN CONTROLLED
ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of commerce for a grant to the owner of a greenhouse facility in the city of Owatonna to
pilot innovative applications of geothermal energy, hybrid lighting, and related technologies
to reduce the energy used in controlled environment agriculture.
new text end

new text begin (b) By October 1, 2024, the recipient of the grant under this section must report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over commerce regarding the grant issued under this section. The report must
include:
new text end

new text begin (1) an explanation of how the money was used;
new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of any obstacles encountered in implementing geothermal energy, hybrid
lighting, or related technologies;
new text end

new text begin (3) a summary of the energy use reduction benefits achieved by implementing geothermal
energy, hybrid lighting, or related technologies;
new text end

new text begin (4) any other findings relevant to the adoption of practices that reduce the energy
consumption of controlled environment agriculture by other agricultural producers; and
new text end

new text begin (5) any recommendations for future studies related to implementing decarbonized
controlled environment agriculture in Minnesota.
new text end