STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRD MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETIETH SESSION
JOB GROWTH & ENERGY AFFORDABILITY
POLICY & FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair of the Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 3:01 PM on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, in Room 10 of the State Office Building. A quorum was present.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
GAROFALO, Pat
NEWBERGER, Jim
MAHONEY, Tim
CLARK, Karen
WAGENIUS, Jean
ANDERSON, Paul
BAHR, Cal
BAKER, Dave
DAVNIE, Jim
FABIAN, Dan
HOWE, Jeff
LAYMAN, Sandy
MAYE QUADE, Erin
METSA, Jason
MORAN, Rena
O’NEILL, Marion
RARICK, Jason
SCOTT, Peggy
SUNDIN, Mike
THISSEN, Paul
VOGEL, Bob
WEST, Nolan
Representative Bahr moved the minutes of January 11, 2017 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF234 (Baker) Public Utilities Commission regulation of electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives amended.
Representative Baker moved HF234 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Jim Horan, Director of Government Affairs and Counsel, Minnesota Rural Electric Association; Jenny Scharmer, Board Member, MiEnergy Cooperative; Tim Velde, Board Member, Minnesota Valley Cooperative; David Shaffer, Executive Director, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association; Sam Vilella, member, Connexus Energy; Will Georgia, Novel Energy; Michael Allen, President. All Energy Solar; Allen Gleckner, Energy Markets Director, Fresh Energy; testified on HF234.
Representative Baker renewed his motion that HF234 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF235 (O’Neill) Renewable development account renamed and repurposed, solar energy incentives terminated, and money appropriated.
Representative O’Neill moved HF235 be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative O’Neill moved the H0235A1 amendment be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative O’Neill moved the H0235A2 amendment be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Bill Grant, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Commerce; Lynn Hinkle, Policy Director, Minnesota Solar Energy Association; Braden Solum, Vice President of Business Development, Ideal Energies; Ralph Jacobson, CEO, Innovative Power Systems; Mike Fedde, Ironwood Electronics; Chris Psihos, President, Ideal Energies; Brandon Charboneau, employee, All Energy Solar; John Munter, citizen; testified on HF235.
Representative Newberger assumed the gavel at 4:46 PM.
Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 4:49 PM.
The committee went into recess at 5:01 PM.
The committee reconvened at 7:00 PM.
Representative O’Neill renewed her motion that HF235, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Representative Wagenius requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows:
AYES:
GAROFALO, Pat
NEWBERGER, Jim
MAHONEY, Tim
ANDERSON, Paul
BAKER, Dave
FABIAN, Dan
HOWE, Jeff
METSA, Jason
O’NEILL, Marion
RARICK, Jason
SCOTT, Peggy
SUNDIN, Mike
VOGEL, Bob
WEST, Nolan
NAYS:
CLARK, Karen
WAGENIUS, Jean
MAYE QUADE, Erin
MORAN, Rena
On a vote of 14 Ayes and 4 Nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF113 (Newberger) Natural gas combined cycle electric generation plant construction and operation authorized.
Representative Newberger moved HF113 be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register.
Representative Newberger moved the A17-0010 amendment be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Newberger moved the H0113A1 amendment be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Rick Evans, Director of Regional Government Affairs, Xcel Energy; Matt Olsen, Political Director, Boilermakers Local 647; Annie Levenson-Falk, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota; Andy Snope, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director, Fresh Energy; Andrew Moratzka, Attorney, Stoel Rives LLP; John Munter, citizen; Kathy Iverson, citizen; testified on HF113.
Representative Baker assumed the gavel at 8:29 PM.
Representative Garofalo assumed the gavel at 8:38 PM.
Representative Newberger renewed his motion that HF113, as amended, be recommended to pass and referred to the General Register. Representative Wagenius requested a roll call vote. The results were as follows.
AYES:
GAROFALO, Pat
NEWBERGER, Jim
MAHONEY, Tim
ANDERSON, Paul
BAHR, Cal
BAKER, Dave
FABIAN, Dan
HOWE, Jeff
METSA, Jason
MORAN, Rena
O’NEILL, Marion
RARICK, Jason
SCOTT, Peggy
SUNDIN, Mike
VOGEL, Bob
WEST, Nolan
NAYS:
CLARK, Karen
WAGENIUS, Jean
MAYE QUADE, Erin
On a vote of 16 Ayes and 3 Nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.
Representative Pat Garofalo, Chair
Meagan Rice, Committee Legislative Assistant