as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/04/2020 03:38pm
A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing a residential energy conservation grant program;
appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
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(c) "Department" means the Department of Commerce.
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(d) "Energy conservation improvement" means a project that results in a net reduction
in energy use.
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(e) "Principal residence" means property classified as class 1a or 1b under Minnesota
Statutes, section 273.13, subdivision 22, and the house portion of property classified as
class 2a under Minnesota Statutes, section 273.13, subdivision 23.
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The commissioner must establish a residential energy efficiency
grant program in the Department of Commerce to provide grants to homeowners to make
energy conservation improvements that reduce a home's energy consumption.
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An application for a grant under this program must be made to
the commissioner on a form developed by the commissioner. The commissioner must
develop procedures to (1) solicit and review applications, and (2) award grants under this
section.
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An applicant for a grant under this section:
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(1) must be a Minnesota resident who owns a home that is the owner's principal residence,
and in which all energy conservation improvements to be supported by the grant are to be
installed; and
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(2) may also receive financial assistance from a utility or another source for the same
energy conservation improvement for which a grant under this section is sought.
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Appropriations made to support the activities of this
section must be used only to:
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(1) provide grants under this section; and
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(2) reimburse the department's reasonable expenses to administer this section.
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A grant awarded under this section must not exceed the lesser
of $2,000 or 34 percent of the total cost of the energy conservation improvements made in
the home.
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(a) $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of commerce for the residential energy efficiency grant program under section
1.
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(b) $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of commerce to supplement funds made available to the state by federal law
to weatherize the residences of low-income persons, as provided in Minnesota Statutes,
section 216C.264.
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