NINETEENTH MEETING

STATE OF MINNESOTA NINETEENTH 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 16th, 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.

The Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Commerce Presented on the Budget:
• Joe Sullivan, Commissioner and Vice-Chair, Public Utilities Commission
• Will Seuffert, Executive Secretary, Public Utilities Commission
• Grace Arnold, Temporary Commissioner, Department of Commerce

Representative Lippert presented HF 1879, A bill for an act relating to energy; providing for reuse and redevelopment of qualified facilities; appropriating money to retire bonds to facilitate solar project at closed landfill; requiring reports; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, sections 115B.40, subdivision 1; 115B.412, subdivision 9.

Representative Lippert moved that HF 1879 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Lippert moved the HF1879A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on HF 1879:
• David Shaffer, Executive Director, MnSEIA
• Brian Burandt, Vice President of Power Supply & Business Development, Connexus

Public testimony on HF 1879:
• Kirk Kudelka, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Rick Evans, Director of Regional Government Affairs, Xcel Energy

Representative Lippert renewed his motion that HF 1879, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Christensen presented HF 2054, A bill for an act relating to energy; requiring resource plans to include information on efforts to minimize impacts to workers due to facility retirement; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 216B.2422, by adding a subdivision.

Representative Christensen moved that HF 2054 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Christensen moved the HF2054A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on HF 2054:
• Kurt Zimmerman, Local 160, IBEW
• Duane Peters, Business Manager of Local 23, IBEW

Representative Christensen renewed her motion that HF 2054, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.

Representative Her presented House Research BE078, A bill for an act relating to microgrids; providing a grant; appropriating money.

Testifying on House Research BE078:
• Dr. Don Weinkauf, Dean, University of St. Thomas School of Engineering
• Dr. Mahmoud Kabalan, Director, Center for Microgrid Research

The meeting was adjourned at 11:53 AM.


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Representative Jamie Long, Chair


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Mike Hermanson, Committee Legislative Assistant