SF 2430

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/06/2014 04:42pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; renewables; establishing a green energy and development
demonstration project and related regulations; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin GREEN ENERGY AND DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT.
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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 them.
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new text begin (b) "Green energy" means energy generated by an eligible energy technology of the
type specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.1691, subdivision 1.
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new text begin (c) "Low-income" means a person eligible for the low-income home energy
assistance program under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.02, subdivision 1.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Project established; objectives. new text end

new text begin The commissioners of commerce and
employment and economic development shall establish a green energy and development
demonstration project. The purpose of the project is to develop and implement an energy
conservation business model that creates jobs in high unemployment areas and reduces
the cost of residential heating in low-income households in north central Minnesota by
manufacturing and installing solar panels and implementing weatherization outputs.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Project outcomes. new text end

new text begin The green energy and development demonstration
project under this section shall:
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new text begin (1) target the American Indian community for employment opportunities, business
development, economic development, workforce development, improved quality of living,
increases in expendable income due to energy conservation, and revenue retention;
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new text begin (2) alleviate the impact of reduced federal heating and energy assistance;
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new text begin (3) increase self-sufficiency in low-income households;
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new text begin (4) decrease dependency on nonrenewable energy sources;
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new text begin (5) increase the use of renewable energy resources;
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new text begin (6) enhance local economies with living wage jobs;
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new text begin (7) provide on-going workforce training opportunities that ensure well-trained and
qualified solar panel installers;
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new text begin (8) establish a sustainable economic engine for green energy tools and instruments;
and
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new text begin (9) educate the public on the benefits of green energy.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Appropriation; uses. new text end

new text begin (a) $1,070,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioners of commerce and employment and economic
development to support the green energy and development demonstration project under
this section. The appropriation shall be distributed as follows:
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new text begin (1) $700,000 for the purchase of 100 solar panels for low-income housing units in
the Leech Lake Housing Authority stock;
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new text begin (2) $250,000 for small business seed funding by Rural Renewable Energy Alliance;
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new text begin (3) $100,000 for additional training and energy conservation workforce
development; and
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new text begin (4) $20,000 for creation of a management database that tracks and monitors green
energy and development demonstration project outcomes, including: (i) training and
certifications, (ii) installation of solar panels on housing units, and (iii) overall energy
conservation.
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new text begin (b) The appropriation under this section does not cancel to the general fund, but
is available until spent.
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