STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIRST 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 18th, 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.
Representative Stephenson presented HF 239, A bill for an act relating to energy; establishing the Natural Gas Innovation Act; encouraging natural gas utilities to develop innovative resources; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B.
Representative Stephenson moved that HF 239 be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Stephenson moved the HF0239DE1 amendment.
Representative Stephenson moved the A5 amendment to the DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Stephenson renewed his motion to adopt the HF0239DE1 amendment, as amended. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF 239:
• Erica Larson, Regulatory Analyst, CenterPoint Energy
• Kevin Pranis, Campaign Director, LIUNA
• Mike Bull, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Center for Energy and Environment
Public testimony on HF 239:
• Jessica Tritsch, Senior Campaign Representative, Sierra Club
• Carolyn Berninger, Climate & Energy Policy Analyst, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
• Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, Lead Director of Energy Transition, Fresh Energy
Representative Long moved the HF0239A4 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Lee moved the HF0239A6 amendment.
Representative Franson requested a roll call on the HF0239A6 amendment.
AYES:
Long
Acomb
Bierman
Christensen
Hollins
Hornstein
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard
Stephenson
NAYS:
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson
There being 10 ayes and 7 nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Franson moved the HF0239A1 amendment.
Representative Franson requested a roll call on the HF0239A1 amendment.
AYES:
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson
NAYS:
Long
Acomb
Bierman
Christensen
Hollins
Hornstein
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard
Stephenson
There being 7 ayes and 10 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Mekeland moved the HF0239A2 amendment. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Swedzinski offered the HF0239A3 amendment.
Representative Swedzinski withdrew the HF0239A3 amendment.
Representative Stephenson renewed his motion that HF 239, as amended, be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Representative Stephenson requested a roll call on his motion to refer HF 239 to the Committee on Ways and Means.
AYES:
Long
Bierman
Christensen
Hollins
Hornstein
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard
Stephenson
NAYS:
Acomb
Swedzinski
Boe
Franson
Gruenhagen
Igo
Mekeland
Munson
There being 9 ayes and 8 nays, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Lee presented HF 1270, A bill for an act relating to workforce development; appropriating funds for a pilot project to train youth from underserved communities for careers in the clean energy sector.
Representative Lee moved that HF 1270 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative moved the HF1270A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF 1270:
• Jamez Staples, CEO, Northgate Development and Renewable Energy Partners
• Antonio Cardonia, Vice President of Career Readiness, Project for Pride and Living
• Kristy Snyder, Director, Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) Program
• Jim Verhoye, Director, Avivo Institute of Career and Technical Education
• Cynthia Gomez, Career Specialist, Plymouth Christian Youth Center
Public testimony on HF 1270:
• Kyle Samejima, Executive Director, Minneapolis Climate Action
• Lee Samelson, Organizer, Community Power MN
Representative Lee renewed his motion that HF 1270, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Representative Lislegard presented HF 1978, A bill for an act relating to energy; appropriating money for a grant to the Mountain Iron Economic Development Authority to expand a city-owned building housing a solar panel manufacturer.
Representative Lislegard moved that HF 1978 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
Testifying on HF 1978:
• Martin Pochtaruk, CEO, Heliene
• Craig Wainio, City Administrator, Mountain Iron
Public testimony on HF 1978:
• Peter Teigland, Policy Associate, MnSEIA
Representative Lislegard renewed his motion that HF 1978 be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
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