HF 4239

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/09/2020 01:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; providing energy efficiency grants to commercial buildings;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS; COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Commercial building" means a multifamily or commercial building that can benefit
from the installation of cost-effective energy improvements, as determined by an energy
audit.
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new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
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new text begin (d) "Cost-effective energy improvement" means any renovation or retrofitting of a
building to improve energy efficiency that is permanently affixed to the property, results
in a net reduction in energy consumption, and has been identified in an energy audit as
repaying the energy improvement's purchase and installation costs in 20 years or less, based
on the amount of future energy saved and estimated future energy prices.
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new text begin (e) "Energy audit" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.435,
subdivision 4.
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new text begin (f) "Multifamily building" means an apartment facility containing four or more dwelling
units that are rented by a person or family to use as a residence.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a commercial building energy
efficiency grant program in the Department of Commerce to provide financial assistance
to owners of commercial buildings in which cost-effective energy improvements are installed.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin 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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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin When awarding grants under this section, the commissioner
must give preference to applications for cost-effective energy efficiency improvements in
multifamily buildings.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Eligible expenditures. new text end

new text begin Appropriations made to support the activities of this
section must be used only to:
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new text begin (1) provide grants under this section; and
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new text begin (2) reimburse the department's reasonable expenses to administer the grant program.
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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 in fiscal year 2021 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of commerce to award commercial building energy efficiency grants under section 1. This
is a onetime appropriation. This appropriation remains available until December 31, 2022.
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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