2006 Minnesota Statutes

216B.812 FOSTERING USE OF HYDROGEN ENERGY.
    Subdivision 1. Early purchase and deployment of hydrogen, fuel cells, and related
technologies by the state. (a) The Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Department
of Administration shall identify opportunities for demonstrating the use of hydrogen, fuel cells,
and related technologies within state-owned facilities, vehicle fleets, and operations.
(b) The Department of Commerce shall recommend to the Department of Administration,
when feasible, the purchase and demonstration of hydrogen, fuel cells, and related technologies in
ways that strategically contribute to realizing Minnesota's hydrogen economy goal as set forth in
section 216B.8109, and which contribute to the following nonexclusive list of objectives:
(1) provide needed performance data to the marketplace;
(2) identify code and regulatory issues to be resolved;
(3) foster economic development and job creation in the state;
(4) raise public awareness of hydrogen, fuel cells, and related technologies; or
(5) reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
    Subd. 2. Pilot projects. (a) In consultation with appropriate representatives from state
agencies, local governments, universities, businesses, and other interested parties, the Department
of Commerce shall report back to the legislature by November 1, 2005, and every two years
thereafter, with a slate of proposed pilot projects that contribute to realizing Minnesota's hydrogen
economy goal as set forth in section 216B.8109. The Department of Commerce must consider the
following nonexclusive list of priorities in developing the proposed slate of pilot projects:
(1) demonstrate "bridge" technologies such as hybrid-electric, off-road, and fleet vehicles
running on hydrogen or fuels blended with hydrogen;
(2) develop cost-competitive, on-site hydrogen production technologies;
(3) demonstrate nonvehicle applications for hydrogen;
(4) improve the cost and efficiency of hydrogen from renewable energy sources; and
(5) improve the cost and efficiency of hydrogen production using direct solar energy without
electricity generation as an intermediate step.
(b) For all demonstrations, individual system components of the technology must meet
commercial performance standards and systems modeling must be completed to predict
commercial performance, risk, and synergies. In addition, the proposed pilots should meet as
many of the following criteria as possible:
(1) advance energy security;
(2) capitalize on the state's native resources;
(3) result in economically competitive infrastructure being put in place;
(4) be located where it will link well with existing and related projects and be accessible
to the public, now or in the future;
(5) demonstrate multiple, integrated aspects of hydrogen infrastructure;
(6) include an explicit public education and awareness component;
(7) be scalable to respond to changing circumstances and market demands;
(8) draw on firms and expertise within the state where possible;
(9) include an assessment of its economic, environmental, and social impact; and
(10) serve other needs beyond hydrogen development.
    Subd. 3. Establishing multifuel hydrogen fueling stations. The commissioner of commerce
may accept federal funds, expend funds, and participate in projects to design, site, and construct
multifuel hydrogen fueling stations that eventually link urban centers along key trade corridors
across the jurisdictions of Manitoba, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
These energy stations must serve the priorities listed in subdivision 2 and, as transition
infrastructure, should accommodate a wide variety of vehicle technologies and fueling
platforms, including hybrid, flexible-fuel, and fuel cell vehicles. They may offer, but not be
limited to, gasoline, diesel, ethanol (E-85), biodiesel, and hydrogen, and may simultaneously
test the integration of on-site combined heat and power technologies with the existing energy
infrastructure.
The hydrogen portion of the stations may initially serve local, dedicated on- or off-road
vehicles, but should eventually support long-haul transport.
History: 2005 c 97 art 13 s 2; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 4 s 120