STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTEENTH MEETING (INTERIM – PM)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION
SEPTEMBER 27, 2005
JOINT MEETING
REGULATED INDUSTRIES & AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES
OVERVIEW
Rep. Torrey Westrom, Chair of the Regulated Industries Committee reconvened the September 27, 2005 Regulated Industries Committee at 1:30 p.m. in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
The Regulated Industries Committee was joined by the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Davids, for a Joint Meeting to discuss Renewable Energy Standards.
Regulated Industries Committee Members Present:
Westrom, Torrey Anderson, I.
Beard, Mike Atkins, Joe
Charron, Mike Hansen, Rick
Emmer, Tom Hilty, Bill
Erickson, Sondra Johnson, Sheldon
Hackbarth, Tom Lesch, John
Hoppe, Joe Peterson, Aaron
Lanning, Morrie Ruud, Maria
Powell, Duke Thissen, Paul
Simpson, Dean
Regulated Industries Committee Members Not Present:
Gunther, Bob
Westerberg, Andy
Zellers, Kurt
Huntley, Tom
Walker, Neva
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Committee Members Present:
Davids, Greg Johnson, Ruth
Blaine, Greg Juhnke, Al
Finstad, Brad Koenen, Lyle
Hamilton, Rod Moe, Frank
Heidgerken, Bud Otremba, Mary Ellen
Magnus, Doug Welti, Andy
Penas, Maxine
Ozment, Dennis – ex-officio member
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Committee Members Not Present:
Urdahl, Dean
HF 2532 (Davids) Renewable energy provisions modified.
Rep. Davids presented an overview of HF 2532 to the committee.
HF 1561 (Peterson, A.) Wind power usage goal established at 20 percent by 2020, and wind energy conversion system loan guarantee program established.
Rep. Peterson presented an overview of HF 1561 to the committee.
The following individuals testified before the committee:
Proponents:
Brent Olsen, Big Stone County Commissioner
Jack Keers, Pipestone County Commissioner
Tom Peterson, Minnesota Farmer’s Union
Paul Burke, Business/Manufacturing Representative and ME3
Darrell Olsen, Southern Minnesota Institute for Cooperative Development
Mark Eillers, GE Wind
Dan Juhl, Wind Developer
Jerry Fallas, Steelworkers
Rep. Davids assumed the gavel at 3:15 p.m.
Testimony by proponents continued before the committee. The following individuals testified:
Bob Olsen, St. Stevens State Bank
David Skilbred, Independent Commercial Bankers of Minnesota
Opponents:
Kenric Scheeval, Dairyland Electric Cooperative
Rep. Westrom resumed the gavel at 3:40 p.m.
Testimony by opponents continued before the committee. The following individuals testified:
Christina Pierson, Minnesota Rural Electric Association
Mike Franklin, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Karen Hyde, Director of Purchased Power, Xcel Energy
Larry Johnson, SMPA
Rep. Westrom directed closing comments to committee members.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
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REP. TORREY WESTROM
CHAIR
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REP. GREG DAVIDS
CHAIR
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Kathleen Anderson
Committee Legislative Assistant
Regulated Industries Committee
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Mark Nisley
Committee Administrator
Ag & Rural Policy Development Committee