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Climate and Energy Finance and Policy

FORTY THIRD MEETING

2021-2022 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 22, 2022

STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-SECOND SESSION


CLIMATE AND ENERGY FINANCE AND POLICY MINUTES

Representative Jamie Long, Chair of the Committee on Climate and Energy Finance and Policy, called the virtual meeting to order at 10:30 AM on March 22nd, 2022 pursuant to House rule 10.01. The meeting was broadcast via Zoom and House Public Information Services.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:
Long, Jamie, Chair
Acomb, Patty, Vice Chair
Swedzinski, Chris, Republican Lead
Bierman, Robert
Boe, Greg
Christensen, Shelly
Franson, Mary
Gruenhagen, Glenn
Hollins, Athena
Hornstein, Frank
Igo, Spencer
Lee, Fue
Lippert, Todd
Lislegard, Dave
Mekeland, Shane
Munson, Jeremy
Stephenson, Zack

A quorum was present.

Representative Reyer presented HF 4404, a bill for an act relating to solar energy; establishing a program to award grants for the installation of solar energy generating systems on public buildings; requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

Representative Long moved that HF 4404 be laid over for possible inclusion.

Representative Long moved the HF4404A1 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on HF 4404:
• Logan O'Grady, Executive Director, MnSEIA
• Isabel Ricker, Senior Manager, Fresh Energy
• Dr. Kate Knuth, 100% Campaign
• Mike Supina, Council Member, City of Eagan

Representative Gruenhagen moved the HF4404A2 amendment.

Representative Gruenhagen requested a roll call on the HF4404A2 amendment.

AYES:
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson

NAYS:
Long
Acomb
Bierman
Christensen
Hollins
Hornstein
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard
Stephenson

There being 7 ayes and 10 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL, THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 4404, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion.

Representative Long passed the gavel to Representative Acomb at 10:59am.

Representative Long presented HF 4402, a bill for an act relating to energy; extending the solar energy production incentive program; establishing an energy storage incentive program; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 116C.7792; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

Representative Long moved that HF 4402 be laid over for possible inclusion.

Representative Long moved the HF4402A1 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on HF 4402:
• Logan O'Grady, Executive Director, MnSEIA
• Michael Allen, President, All Energy Solar
• Donna Pickard, Solar Permissions Manager, TruNorth Solar

Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 4402, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion.

Representative Long presented HF 4305, a bill for an act relating to taxation; production tax; creating an exemption from the solar energy production tax; amending Minnesota Statutes 2021 Supplement, section 272.0295, subdivision 2.

Representative Long moved that HF 4305 be re-referred to the committee on taxes

Testifying on HF 4305:
• Logan O'Grady, Executive Director, MnSEIA
• Daniel Wellingham, Tax Counsel, Renewable Energy Alternatives
• David Shaffer, Director of Policy & Government Affairs, Novel Energy Solutions

Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 4305 be re-referred to the committee on taxes.

Representative Long requested a roll call on his motion that HF 4305 be re-referred to the committee on taxes.

AYES:
Long
Acomb
Bierman
Boe
Christensen
Hollins
Hornstein
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard

NAYS:
Swedzinski
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson

ABSTAINED:
Stephenson

There being 10 ayes, 6 nays, and 1 excused, THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Acomb passed the gavel to Representative Long at 11:34am.

Representative Hollins presented HF 3897, a bill for an act relating to energy; establishing a grant program to upgrade electric panels in residential buildings; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

Representative Hollins moved that HF 3897 be laid over for possible inclusion.

Representative Hollins moved the HF3897DE1 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on HF3897:
• Justin Fay, Lead Director of Public Affairs, Fresh Energy
• Mari Ojeda, Policy Associate, Energy Access and Equity, Fresh Energy
• Jamal Lewis, Director of Policy Partnerships and Equitable Electrification, Rewiring America
• Mike Robertson, Program Manager, A Brush with Kindness, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Representative Hollins renewed her motion that HF 3897, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:01 PM.


__________________________________________
Representative Jamie Long, Chair

__________________________________________
Mike Hermanson, Committee Legislative Assistant

More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF4404 (Reyer) - Public building solar energy generating system installation program established to award grants, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF4402 (Long) - Solar energy production incentive program extended, energy storage incentive program established, and money appropriated.
  • HF4305 (Long) - Solar energy production tax exemption created.
  • HF3897 (Hollins) - Residential building electric panel upgrade grant program established, and money appropriated.
House TV Video:
View Archive

01:39 - HF4404 (Reyer) Public building solar energy generating system installation program established to award grants, report required, and money appropriated.
29:19 - HF4402 (Long) Solar energy production incentive program extended, energy storage incentive program established, and money appropriated.
47:57 - HF4305 (Long) Solar energy production incentive program extended, energy storage incentive program established, and money appropriated.
1:04:29 - HF3897 (Hollins) Residential building electric panel upgrade grant program established, and money appropriated.
Runs 1 hour, 31 minutes.


HF4404 (Reyer) - Public building solar energy generating system installation program established to award grants, report required, and money appropriated.
HF4402 (Long) - Solar energy production incentive program extended, energy storage incentive program established, and money appropriated.
HF4305 (Long) - Solar energy production tax exemption created.
HF3897 (Hollins) - Residential building electric panel upgrade grant program established, and money appropriated.
*Bills may be added to the agenda.

This remote hearing is taking place pursuant to Rule 10.01.

If you wish to submit written testimony or testify via Zoom, please send the written testimony or the request to testify to Mike.Molzahn@house.mn by noon the day before the meeting.

Meeting documents will be posted on the committee website at https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/Committees/Home/92008

This remote hearing may be viewed via the House webcast schedule page: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/htv/schedule.asp

All events are closed-captioned.

To provide feedback on digital accessibility of meeting information, please submit comments through the Minnesota Legislature Accessibility & Usability Comment Form. If you require an accommodation, please contact John Howe at: John.Howe@house.mn or by leaving a message at 651-296-3208. Please do not contact him with questions about the substance of the meeting agenda. To learn more about requesting an accommodation, please visit the FAQs for Disability Access.