STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION
ENERGY POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Melissa Hortman, Chair of the Energy Policy Committee, called the seventeenth meeting to order at 12:06 P.M. on, March 11, 2013, in room 10 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll. A quorum was present.
Members present:
Hortman, Melissa, Chair
Morgan, Will, Vice-Chair
Garofalo, Pat, Republican Lead
Allen
Atkins
Falk
Hackbarth
Hornstein
Kelly
Masin
Quam
Scott
Selcer
Yarusso
Members excused:
Beard
Representative Hortman moved that HF1029 be passed and sent to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy and Finance.
Testifying on the bill:
Jason Edens, Executive Director of Rural Renewable Energy Alliance(RREAL)(Pine River , MN)(solar thermal manufacturer)
Peter Brickweadde, Minnesota Department of Commerce
HF1029 (Persell) Petroleum inspection fee revenue clarified.
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF1029 pass and be sent to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy and Finance committee.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1015 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy Policy bill.
HF1015 (Selcer) Gas utility infrastructure cost recovery regulated.
Testifying on the bill:
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
A handout was given to Committee members, "Xcel Energy, Key Regulations and Mandates".
Chair Hortman moved an oral amendment on
H1015A1 on line 1.5 delete 216B.37 and insert "216B.1637".
The oral amendment was incorporated.
Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment H1015A1, as amended.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1015, as amended be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF854 be passed and sent to the General Register
HF854 (Atkins) Low-income utility program conservation improvement investments regulated.
Representative Hortman renewed her motions that HF854 be recommended to pass and sent to the committee
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1001 be passed and sent to the General Register.
HF1001 (Ward) Notice to cities of utility disconnections regulated.
Testimony was given by:
Karl Bataldin, City of Woodbury
Charlie Van Arder, Metro Cities
Patrick Badaud, Xcel Energy
Pam Marshall, Energy Coalition
Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment
H1001A1.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1001, as amended be passed and sent to the General Register.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1167 be moved and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
HF1167 (Melin) Renewable development account funds allocated, "Made in Minnesota" solarenergy production incentive account created, and financial incentives provided for photovoltaic modules manufactured in Minnesota.
Testifying on the bill:
Lynn Hinkle, Policy Director for MnSEIA
Joel Cannon, CEO of tenKsolar
Pete Parris, Sheetmetal Workers Union
John Frederick, CEO of Silent Power(Baxter, MN)(Energy Storage manufacturer)
A handout was given to Committee members, " Silent Power, Inc. Energy When it's Needed".
Jason Edens, Executive Director of Rural Renewable Energy Alliance(RREAL)(Pine River , MN)(solar thermal manufacturer)
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
Ben Gerber, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF1167, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy bill.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1079 be passed and sent to the General Register.
HF1079 (Benson) Geothermal heating and cooling systems allowed to apply to a utility's renewable energy obligation under certain conditions.
Testimony was given by:
Cob Burandt, Public Citizen
Jeff Peterson, MN Geo-Thermal Association
Bill Grant, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment
H1079A1.
The amendment was adopted.
A handout was given to Committee members "Once-Through System Update".
Representative Hortman renews her motion that HF1079 as amended, be passed and sent to the General Register.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Morgan moved adoption of the March 4, 2013 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Morgan moved adoption of the March 5, 2013 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Morgan moved adoption of the March 8, 2013 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Garofalo moved that HF1000 be passed and sent to the committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy and Finance.
HF1000 (Kelly) Commissioner of commerce required to make assessments to fund clean energy resource teams.
A handout was given to Committee members, "CERT's Regions in Minnesota".
Testifying on the bill:
Diane McKeown, CERTS
Melissa Pawlisch, CERTS, University of Minnesota
Representative Garofalo renewed his motion that HF1000 be recommended to pass and sent to the committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy and Finance.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1326 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
Testifying on the bill:
Loren Laugtag, Ottertail Power
Bill Grant, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Bruce Genderson, Ottertail Power, General Counsel
HF1326 (McNamar) Cost recovery provided for emission reduction projects.
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF1326 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
The motion prevailed.
The committee recessed at 2:05
The committee reconvened at 4:19 in room 5 State Office Building.
Representative Falk moved that HF1174 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
HF1174 (Falk) Public Utilities Commission required to initiate a proceeding culminating in an order establishing standards for utility rates regarding the interconnection of small electric generating facilities.
Testifying on the bill:
Dan Juhl, COO of Juhl Energy Systems
Representative Falk moved that HF1174 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Morgan moved that HF1146 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
HF1146 (Morgan) Public Utilities Commission required to initiate a proceeding regarding interconnection of distributed generation facilities, establishment and operation provided for community solar generating facilities, ownership of renewable energy credit governing provisions amended, and residential solar design standards established.
Testifying on the bill:
Ross Abby, Fresh Energy
Elizabeth Wafel, Missouri Energy
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
A handout was given to Committee members "Minnesota Clean Energy & Jobs".
Representative Morgan moved adoption of amendment
H1146A1.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Morgan renewed his motion that HF1146, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1147 be passed and sent to the General Register.
HF1147 (Dehn) Energy improvement program terms defines for local governments.
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF1147 be recommended to pass and sent to the General Register.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF338 be passed and sent to the committee on Government Operations.
HF338 (Bly) Appraisal fee award in utility takings made the same as other takings, and "buy the farm" provisions modified.
Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment
H0338A2.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment
H0338A1.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Hortman moved that HF338, as amended be recommended to pass and sent to the committee on Government Relations.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Falk moved that HF879 be passed and sent to the General Register.
HF879 (Falk) University of Minnesota; renewable energy research funding extended.
Testifying on the bill:
Todd Iverson, University of Minnesota
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
Ben Gerber, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
A handout was given to Committee members, " Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment".
Representative Falk moved that HF879 be recommended to pass and sent to the General Register.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Falk moved that HF1170 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy Policy bill.
HF1170 (Falk) Small electricity generator maximum capacity to qualify for net metering amended, rate at which small generators may elect to be paid by utilities definition amended, and treatment of a purchase from a small generator by a nongenerating utility supplied by a municipal power agency amended.
Testifying on the bill:
Todd Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union
Joel Johnson, Rural Electric Cooperatives
Representative Falk renewed his motion that HF1170 be recommended to pass and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy Policy bill.
The motion prevailed.
The Committee recessed at 5:55 P.M.
The Committee reconvened at 7:04 P.M.
Vice-Chair, Will Morgan assumed the Chair.
Representative Hortman moved that HF1301 be passed and sent to the General Register.
HF1301 (Hortman) State energy conservation policies provided for.
Testifying on the bill:
Sheldon Strom, Director of Energy and Environment
Cindy Jepsen, Evergreen Energy
Elizabeth Wafel, Missouri Energy
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF1301 pass and be sent to the General Register.
The motion prevailed.
At 7:22 P.M. Chair Hortman resumed the chair.
Representative Falk moved that HF1075 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy policy bill.
HF1075 (Falk) Renewable development account annual transferred fee revised for each cask of spent nuclear fuel stored in Minnesota.
Testifying on the bill:
George Crocker, Executive Director, North American Water Office
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
Handouts were given to Committee members: "Minnesota Utility Investors, dated March 11, 2013" and "North American Water Office".
Representative Falk renewed his motion that HF1075 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy policy bill.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Kelly moved that HF1084 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy policy bill.
HF1084 (Kelly) Transmission cost utility recovery regulated.
Testifying on the bill:
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
Bill Grant, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Representative Kelly moved adoption of amendment H1084A.
The amendment was adopted.
Representative Kelly moved that HF1084, as amended be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus energy bill.
The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF567 be passed and sent without recommendation to the Capital Investments committee
HF567 (Melin) Solar energy requirements modified for state buildings.
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF567 be passed, as amended and sent to the Capitol Investment committee without recommendation.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hortman moved that HF623 be passed and sent to the General Register.
HF623 (Melin) Biomass mandate project regulated.
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF623, as amended be passed and sent to the General Register.
The bill was passed. The motion prevailed.
Representative Quam moved that HF421 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
HF421 (Quam) Hydroelectric electric project revolving loan fund established to facilitate the dredging of lakes to improve water flow, report required, and money appropriated.
Testifying on the bill:
Bill Grant, Minnesota Department of Commerce
Representative Quam renewed his motion that HF421 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy Policy bill.
The motion prevailed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 P.M.
REP. MELISSA HORTMAN, CHAIR
Mary Elizabeth Faust
Committee Legislative Assistant