STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTEENTH 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 23rd, 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
Vice Chair Acomb moved that the minutes of February 11th, 2021, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Vice Chair Acomb moved that the minutes of February 16th, 2021, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
A presentation was made on the solar industry in Minnesota by Karl von Knobelsdorf, President and CEO of Knobelsdorff Enterprises.
Bills not introduced at the time of the meeting are indicated by the House Research, Revisor, or Counsel code.
Representative Acomb presented House Research BE034, A bill for an act relating to energy; establishing a program to promote the use of solar energy on school buildings; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216C.
Testifying on House Research BE034:
• Pat Collins, Teacher, Chisago Lakes Schools
• Eric Pasi, Chief Development Officer, IPS Solar
• Andy Lesch, Project Manager, Minneapolis Public Schools
Public Testimony:
• Maddie Yapel, Student, Ordean-East Middle School
• Tanya Jackson, Teacher, Ordean-East Middle School
Representative Acomb presented HF 1226, A bill for an act relating to energy; eliminating the renewable qualifying facility avoided cost pricing requirement; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216B.164, subdivision 4.
Representative Acomb moved that HF 1226 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Testifying on HF 1226:
• David Shaffer, Executive Director, MnSEIA
• Dan Juhl, Chairman of Board, Juhl Energy
• Reed Richarson, Chief Operating Officer, US Solar
Public Testimony:
• Thor Underdahl, Government Affairs, Minnesota Power
• Benjamin Stafford, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Clean Energy Economy MN
• Joe Hoppe, Otter Tail Power Company
• Rick Evans, Director of Regional Government Affairs, Xcel Energy
Representative Acomb renewed her motion that HF 1226 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus.
Representative Christensen presented House Revisor 21-02619, A bill for an act relating to solar energy; appropriating money to install solar photovoltaic devices in certain state parks.
Testifying on House Revisor 21-02619:
• Peter Teigland, Policy Associate, MnSEIA
• Phil Leversedge, Deputy Director Parks and Trails, DNR
Representative Hollins presented Counsel SC8299-1, A bill for an act relating to energy; requiring all investor-owned utilities to submit a photovoltaic demand credit rider with the Public Utilities Commission.
Testifying on Counsel SC8299-1:
• David Shaffer, Executive Director, MnSEIA
• Adam Seidel, Conservative Energy Forum
Public Testimony:
• Thor Underdahl, Government Affairs, Minnesota Power
• Joe Hoppe, Otter Tail Power Company
The meeting was adjourned at 12:02 PM.
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Representative Jamie Long, Chair
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Mike Hermanson, Committee Legislative Assistant