1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; conservation; requiring the Department of Commerce to 
1.3 	consider awarding applied research and development grants for energy controller 
1.4 	technology.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. ENERGY CONTROLLER TECHNOLOGY; APPLIED RESEARCH 
1.7 	AND DEVELOPMENT GRANT.
 1.8 	(a) The Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, as part of the 
1.9 	conservation applied research and development grant program under Minnesota Statutes, 
1.10 	section 216B.241, subdivision 1e, shall consider awarding a grant to an organization 
1.11 	proposing to improve energy efficiency by installing energy controller technology or a 
1.12 	similar power factor correction or optimization device to determine whether use of the 
1.13 	technology improves conservation and provides cost savings to the ratepayer. For the 
1.14 	purposes of this section, the Division of Energy Resources may consider the installation of 
1.15 	energy controller technology for residential, commercial, or industrial applications.
1.16 	(b) Any grant awarded under this section must be consistent with the requirements 
1.17 	of Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, subdivision 1e, and any policies or procedures 
1.18 	relating to the grant program that have been established by the commissioner of commerce.
1.19 	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to either require award of a grant 
1.20 	to any particular applicant or to authorize the award of grants in excess of the amount 
1.21 	currently permitted by law.