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Climate and Energy Finance and Policy

FIFTEENTH MEETING

2021-2022 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 2, 2021

STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTEENTH 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 March 2nd, 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.

Bills not introduced at the time of the meeting are indicated by the House Research, Revisor, or Counsel code.

Representative Hansen presented HF 1255, A bill for an act relating to energy; authorizing a power purchase agreement for certain electric cogeneration activities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216B.2424, by adding subdivisions.

Representative Long moved that HF 1255 be placed on the general register.

Representative Long moved the HF1255A4 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on HF 1225:
• Ken Smith, President, District Energy
• Rick Evans, Director of Reginal Government Affairs, Xcel Energy

Representative Swedzinski moved the HF1255A1 amendment.

Representative Swedzinski requested a roll call on the HF12551A1 amendment.

AYES:
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson

NAYS:
Long
Acomb
Bierman
Christensen
Hollins
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard

ABSTAINED:
Hornstein
Stephenson

There being 7 ayes, 8 nays, and 2 abstentions, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Representative Franson moved the HF1255A2 amendment.

Representative Franson requested a roll call on HF1255A2 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 1255, as amended, be placed on the general register.

Representative Long requested a roll call on his motion to place HF 1255, as amended, on the general register.

AYES:
Long
Acomb
Bierman
Boe
Christensen
Hollins
Hornstein
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard
Munson

NAYS:
Swedzinski
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland

ABSTAIN:
Stephenson

There being 11 ayes , 5 nays, and one abstention, THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Richardson presented HF 1592, A bill for an act relating to energy; requiring certain grantees to submit an annual diversity report; requiring utilities to submit an annual diversity report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 116C.779, subdivision 1; 216B.1641; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

Representative Long moved that HF 1592 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Testifying on HF 1592:
• Jamez Staples, Principal, Renewable Energy Partners
• Ben Passer, Lead director energy access and equity, Fresh Energy
• Jose Perez, President & CEO, Hispanics in Energy

Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 1592 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Lippert presented House Research BE062, A bill for an act relating to energy; establishing a nonprofit corporation to provide financing and leverage private investment for clean energy and other projects; requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.

Testifying on House Research BE062:
• Peter Klein, Vice President of Finance Saint Paul Port Authority
• Jeremy Kalin, Attorney, Avisen Legal

The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 AM.


__________________________________________
Representative Jamie Long, Chair


__________________________________________
Mike Hermanson, Committee Legislative Assistant


More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF1255 (Hansen) - Electric cogeneration activity power purchase agreement authorized.
  • HF1592 (Richardson) - Energy grantees and utilities required to submit annual diversity report.
House TV Video:
View Archive

01:29 - HF1255 (Hansen) Electric cogeneration activity power purchase agreement authorized.
39:19 - HF1592 (Richardson) Energy grantees and utilities required to submit annual diversity report.
57:45 - HFXXXX (Lippert) Establishing a nonprofit corporation to provide financing and leverage private investment for clean energy and other projects; requiring a report; appropriating money.
Runs 1 hour, 25 minutes.


HF 1255 (Hansen) - Electric cogeneration activity power purchase agreement authorized.
HF1592 (Richardson) - Energy grantees and utilities required to submit annual diversity report.
HF XXXX (Lippert) Minnesota Green Finance Authority
*Bills may be added to the agenda
**HF 1255 is pending referral

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