SF 984

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/17/2015 08:37am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; appropriating money for an energy technology business
accelerator.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; ENERGY TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS
ACCELERATOR.
new text end

new text begin (a) $400,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $400,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to a Minnesota-based
nonprofit with demonstrated expertise and capability in energy efficiency, energy
technology research, and conservation improvement program delivery to establish and
operate an energy technology business accelerator. The grant recipient must match at least
$100,000 of the grant amount each year with cash or in-kind contributions. Any balance
remaining in fiscal year 2016 does not cancel, but is available in fiscal year 2017.
new text end

new text begin (b) The accelerator established using grant funds in paragraph (a) shall identify,
research, test, evaluate, and incubate innovative energy technologies, systems, and
platforms that may be the basis for new cost-effective programs or to improve existing
programs offered by public, municipal, and cooperative utilities subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 216B.241. The grant recipient shall consult with experts from Minnesota
utilities, the Department of Commerce, and national energy institutions in the selection of
technologies to be evaluated. The technologies to be evaluated may include, but are not
limited to, customer engagement platforms, building and equipment design, data feedback
systems, and advanced metering and billing. The focus of the accelerator must be on
energy technologies, systems, and platforms developed by Minnesota and regionally-based
companies, to the extent practical, which improve the efficiency of customer energy use or
utility infrastructure, or the integration of intermittent renewable resources.
new text end