SF 2677

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

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a climate neutral policy for state
building projects funded with state bonds; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
section 16B.325.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 16B.325, is amended to read:

16B.325 SUSTAINABLE BUILDING GUIDELINES.

new text begin (a) new text end The Department of Administration and the Department of Commerce, with the
assistance of other agencies, shall develop sustainable building design guidelines for all
new state buildings by January 15, 2003. The primary objectives of these guidelines are to
ensure that all new state buildings initially exceed existing energy code, as established
in Minnesota Rules, chapter 7676, by at least 30 percent. The guidelines must focus
on achieving the lowest possible lifetime cost for new buildings and allow for changes
in the guidelines that encourage continual energy conservation improvements in new
buildings. The design guidelines must establish sustainability guidelines that include air
quality and lighting standards and that create and maintain a healthy environment and
facilitate productivity improvements; specify ways to reduce material costs; and must
consider the long-term operating costs of the building, including the use of renewable
energy sources and distributed electric energy generation that uses a renewable source
or natural gas or a fuel that is as clean or cleaner than natural gas. In developing the
guidelines, the departments shall use an open process, including providing the opportunity
for public comment. The guidelines established under this section are mandatory for all
new buildings receiving funding from the bond proceeds fund after January 1, 2004.

new text begin (b) All new or significantly renovated or modified buildings receiving funding
from the bond proceeds fund after January 1, 2006, must be designed and/or operated to
generate no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions as verified by the Department of
Administration or Minnesota Department of Commerce.
new text end

new text begin (c) The cost associated with meeting the greenhouse gas neutral requirement shall
be considered a cost-effective, mandatory expenditure if the total costs of the building,
including payments for any greenhouse gas offsets and the cost associated with meeting
the sustainable design guidelines in paragraph (a), are calculated to achieve a cost payback
within 20 years.
new text end

new text begin (d) Greenhouse gas offsets must be completed or purchased as part of greenhouse
gas reduction projects located in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin (e) Greenhouse gas offsets can include, but are not limited to, renewable energy
development, renewable energy purchases, energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, and
switching to cleaner or renewable fuels. Purchases of renewable energy credits for offsets
must be certified and verified by the Department of Commerce that the credits purchased
are not used to satisfy any existing renewable energy obligations.
new text end

new text begin (f) Greenhouse gases under paragraph (b) include: carbon dioxide (CO new text end _{new text begin 2 new text end} new text begin ), methane
(CH new text end _{new text begin 4 new text end} new text begin ), sulfur hepafluoride (SF new text end _{new text begin 6 new text end} new text begin ), nitrous oxide (N new text end _{new text begin 2 new text end} new text begin O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and
perfluorocarbons (PFCs). All of these can be expressed in terms of their carbon dioxide
equivalents (CO2e).
new text end