Current project funding untouched

The House Energy Finance and Policy Division’s biennial budget contributes $49.7 million toward reducing the anticipated $994 million state deficit, as proposed in HF1741.

Division Chairman Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) said he took care not to cut funding to projects where work has already been completed and money is owed. However, grantees and funding recipients should expect to receive notices that some of their expected funding will be unencumbered, such as the E-85 cost-share grants, solar rebates and Clean Energy Resource Teams.

Several transfers to the General Fund are intended to help balance the state budget, including portions from the petroleum tank release cleanup fund, the special revenue fund and $15 million from the worker’s compensation assigned risk plan reserve.

The bill was referred to the House Finance Committee. The Senate energy supplemental budget bill was addressed by the Senate Finance Committee March 8.