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Climate and Energy Finance and Policy

EIGHTH MEETING

2021-2022 Regular Session - Thursday, February 4, 2021

STATE OF MINNESOTA EIGHTH 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 February 4th, 2021 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 Acomb moved that the minutes of January 28th, 2021, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Long moved that HF 70 be re-referred to the committee on State Government Finance and Elections.

Representative Long moved the H0070DE2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.


Representative Frieberg presented HF 70, A bill for an act relating to energy; establishing a revolving loan fund for energy conservation in state buildings; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

Testifying on HF 70:
• Anne Hunt, Director of the Office of Enterprise Sustainability, Dept. of Administration

Public Testimony on HF 70:
• Jamie Fitzke, Manager of Legislative Policy, Center for Energy and Environment
• Rick Evans, Director of Regional Government Affairs, Xcel Energy
Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 70, as amended, be re-referred to the committee on State Government Finance and Elections.
Representative Long requested a roll call on HF 70, as amended.

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

NAYS:
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson

There being 10 ayes and 7 nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Long moved that HF 257 be re-referred to the committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.

Representative Long moved the H0257A3 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Representative Wazlawik presented HF 257, A bill for an act relating to real property; prohibiting certain restrictions on the use of residential solar energy systems; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 515.07; 515B.2-103; 515B.3-102; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 500.

Testifying on HF 257:
• Peter Teigland, Policy Associate, MnSEIA
• Griffin Dooling, Vice President of the Board, Blue Horizon Energy
• Willie Fox, Hugo

Public Testimony on HF 257:
• Jonathan Edmonson, Blaine
• Nancy Simmet, Eagan
• Patrick Farnham, Project Manager, Cedar Creek Energy
• Stefanie Fuhr, Carver

Representative Mekeland moved the H0257A4 amendment

Representative Mekeland requested a roll call on the H0257A4 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 257, as amended, be re-referred to the committee on Judiciary Finance and Civil Law.


Representative Long requested a roll call on HF 164, as amended.

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


NAYS:
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson

There being 10 ayes and 7 nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 AM.


__________________________________________
Representative Jamie Long, Chair


__________________________________________
Mike Hermanson, Committee Legislative Assistant

More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF0070 (Freiberg) - State building energy conservation revolving loan account established, and money appropriated.
  • HF0257 (Wazlawik) - Utility requirements modified, and restrictions on the use of residential solar energy systems prohibited.
  • HF0278 (Long) - Electric utility renewable energy standard obligations modified, and Public Utility Commission authority modified to issue site permit for electric generation facilities.
House TV Video:
View Archive

2:03 - HF70 (Freiberg) State building energy conservation revolving loan fund established, and money appropriated.
34:07 - HF257 (Wazlawik) Residential solar energy system use restrictions prohibited.
Runs 1 hour, 26 minutes.


HF 70 (Freiberg) State building energy conservation revolving loan fund established, and money appropriated.
HF 257 (Wazlawik) Residential solar energy system use restrictions prohibited.
HF 278 (Long) Electric utility renewable energy standard obligations modified, and Public Utility Commission authority to issue electric generation facility site permits modified.
*If time permits we will continue with the amendments filed prior to 1/28/21 for HF 278
*Bills may be added or removed from the agenda

This remote hearing is taking place pursuant to Rule 10.01.

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

Note: HTV 1 and HTV 2 will provide live closed captioning. Video archives of meetings streamed on HTV 3, 4, and 5 will have closed captions added. Other reasonable accessibility accommodations may be made with advance notice.

If you have questions about the accessibility of remote hearings or require an accommodation, please contact Jenny Nash at: jenny.nash@house.mn or by leaving a message at 651-296-4122. Do not contact Jenny about the content of this meeting.

Public Testimony:
• Members of the public who are interested in testifying must email Mike.Molzahn@house.mn by 3:00 p.m. the day before the meeting to ensure consideration. Testimony may be limited due to time constraints.
• If you plan to submit written testimony, please send it to Mike.Molzahn@house.mn by 3:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.

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