SF 311

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; providing funding for certain
biomass-fueled community energy systems; authorizing
the sale of state bonds; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin BIOMASS-FUELED COMMUNITY ENERGY SYSTEMS;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appropriation. new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 is appropriated
from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of commerce for
grants to fund predesign costs of four to five biomass-fueled,
municipal and state college or university-owned community
heating and cooling systems. Grant money shall be used to cover:
new text end

new text begin (1) preliminary planning to determine the economic,
engineering, and environmental feasibility of the project;
new text end

new text begin (2) other preliminary investigation studies; and
new text end

new text begin (3) surveys, designs, specifications, and other actions
necessary to the planning, design, and future construction of
the project.
new text end

new text begin The fuel source for the projects must be biomass that is
procured in an environmentally sustainable manner. Eligible
biomass includes sustainably harvested agricultural and forest
residues, waste wood, mill residues, biogas, and dedicated
energy crops.
new text end

new text begin Existing community energy systems seeking upgrades, as well
as new projects, are eligible to apply.
new text end

new text begin Projects planning for future conversion to cogeneration and
projects seeking federal matching funds shall be given
preference.
new text end

new text begin Proposals submitted by interested municipalities or state
colleges and universities will be evaluated by a technically
knowledgeable, nonpartisan organization, such as the United
States Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy
Laboratory.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale. new text end

new text begin To provide the money appropriated in
this act from the bond proceeds fund, the commissioner of
finance shall sell and issue bonds of the state in an amount up
to $1,000,000 in the manner, upon the terms, and with the effect
prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.631 to 16A.675,
and by the Minnesota Constitution, article XI, sections 4 to 7.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end