SF 1011

2nd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 05/10/2013 08:32am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring the commissioner of commerce to make assessments
to fund clean energy resource teams; amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section
216B.241, subdivision 1e.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.241, subdivision 1e, is amended to
read:

Subd. 1e.

Applied research and development grants.

(a) The commissioner
may, by order, approve and make grants for applied research and development projects
of general applicability that identify new technologies or strategies to maximize energy
savings, improve the effectiveness of energy conservation programs, or document
the carbon dioxide reductions from energy conservation programs. When approving
projects, the commissioner shall consider proposals and comments from utilities and
other interested parties. The commissioner may assess up to $3,600,000 annually for the
purposes of this subdivision. The assessments must be deposited in the state treasury
and credited to the energy and conservation account created under subdivision 2a. An
assessment made under this subdivision is not subject to the cap on assessments provided
by section 216B.62, or any other law.

(b) The commissioner, as part of the assessment authorized under paragraph (a),
shall annually assess and grant up to $500,000 for the purpose of subdivision 9.

new text begin (c) The commissioner, as part of the assessment authorized under paragraph (a),
each state fiscal year shall assess $500,000 for a grant to the partnership created by section
216C.385, subdivision 2. The grant must be used to exercise the powers and perform the
duties specified in section 216C.385, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (d) By February 15 annually, the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over
energy policy and energy finance on the assessments made under this subdivision for the
previous calendar year and the use of the assessment. The report must clearly describe the
activities supported by the assessment and the parties that engaged in those activities.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (c) is effective for assessments for state fiscal
years commencing on or after July 1, 2013.
new text end