New Law: Helping Duluth's bottom line

A Duluth-specific bill relating to maintenance of steam-producing boilers is now law, signed Feb. 20 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and taking effect the next day.

Minnesota statute lays out licensing requirements for boiler operations and exemptions. Sponsored by Rep. Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), a situation faced by the city is now added to the list of exemptions.

For several years, the city has owned and operated a boiler in a building owned by Minnesota Power. Steam generated from the boiler provides power for a nearby paper mill, which employs approximately 300 people. The city is selling some of its assets in order to balance an $8.5 million deficit, and the boiler will bring $2 million to the city, Reinert said.

However, for the boiler to be sold and remain in operation, the exemption from licensing requirements needed to be changed to apply to the new owner.

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