Energy policy bill takes shape

Proposals designed to boost solar and wind power and tighten greenhouse gas regulations are among provisions of the omnibus energy policy bill approved April 15 by the House Finance Committee.

HF3661/SF3337*, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), originally contained language that would require the Commerce Department and Pollution Control Agency to submit regular reports to the Legislature on progress made in meeting the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. As amended by Hilty, it will also serve as the vehicle for several other energy policy initiatives, including:

• requiring that one-eighth of 1 percent of the state’s 25-percent-by-2025 renewable energy standard be generated by solar-electric power (from HF3843, sponsored by Rep. Kathy Brynaert (DFL-Mankato));

• requiring producers and purchasers of gasses with a high “global warming potential” to report data on their sales and use in the state to the PCA (from HF3545, sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights));

• forbidding the sale or purchase of mobile air conditioner refrigerant in containers of less than 15 pounds (also from HF3545);

• authorizing the Commerce Department to coordinate and arrange bulk purchases of wind turbines and related equipment for individuals, community-based energy developers and public entities (from HF3343, sponsored by Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar));

• exempting wind and solar projects from having to obtain a certificate of need if the Public Utilities Commission deems them a “reasonable and prudent approach” to implementing the renewable energy standard (from HF3977, sponsored by Brynaert); and

• creating a pilot project for achieving energy efficiency through the strategic planting of trees and shrubs around buildings (from HF2946, sponsored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul)).

Hilty said most of the original bills had been “thoroughly vetted” in multiple committee hearings and are currently awaiting action on the House floor. Still, committee members voiced concerns.

Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) argued the one-eighth-of-1-percent solar power carve-out could lead to future carve-outs for other industries. Brynaert replied that it was not her intention to do so.

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) asked whether the tree-planting pilot project would merely provide an opportunity for private residents to get their landscaping paid for by the state. Mike Bull, deputy director of the Office of Energy Security, replied that the program would be more carefully administered than that; however, he also confessed, “We are not excited about this provision.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill April 17 and it now awaits action on the House floor. The Senate passed its version of the bill 52-14 on April 3. Hilty said that both House and Senate leadership support the expanded version of the bill.