Funding renewable energy projects

A bill to help public K-12 schools design renewable energy projects was held over Feb. 19 by the House K-12 Finance Division for possible inclusion in its bonding bill.

HF3178, sponsored by Rep. Brita Sailer (DFL-Park Rapids), would provide $5 million in state bonding money for wind, solar or closed-loop geothermal energy projects that would pay for themselves in 15 years. A companion, SF2972, sponsored by Sen. Sandy Rummel (DFL-White Bear Lake), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.

“I think we have so much synergy between energy applications and the environment,” Sailer said.

Two witnesses, who were involved in a solar wall project in the St. Anthony-New Brighton School District, shared their experience with the division.

“This solar wall was the first in the state of Minnesota to be installed,” said Bernie Eikmeier, project manager for McKinstry Essention. The system uses solar energy to heat air, which is then tied into the heating system of the building. The project was expected to pay for itself in 12 years, but engineers now expect it to pay for itself in eight.

Eikmeier said he was skeptical himself of the project, but was surprised when on a bright November day when the outside temperature was 6 degrees that no additional heating was required.