STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY FOURTH 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 24th, 2022 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
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
Excused:
Bierman, Robert
A quorum was present.
Representative Sandstede presented HF3944, a bill for an act relating to energy; responding to the polar vortex in February 2021; allowing a refundable tax credit for excess energy costs due to extreme cold weather in February 2021; requiring utilities to disclose certain information; appropriating money.
Representative Long moved that HF 4404 be re-referred to the committee on Taxes.
Representative Long moved the HF4404DE1 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Stephenson moved the HF3944A4 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF 3944:
• Kent Sulem, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Municipal Utility
• David Olson, Owatonna Utilities
• Luke Peterson, Hibbing Public Utilities
• Kris Manderfeld, Manager at New Ulm Utilities
• Annie Levenson-Falk, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board
• Will Seuffert, Executive Secretary, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 3944, as amended, be re-referred to the committee on Taxes.
Representative Gruenhagen requested a roll call on his motion to re-refer HF3944, as amended, to the committee on Taxes.
AYES:
Long
Acomb
Boe
Christensen
Franson
Gruenhagen
Hollins
Hornstein
Igo
Lee
Lippert
Lislegard
Mekeland
Munson
Stephenson
NAYS:
Swedzinski
EXCUSED:
Bierman
There being 15 ayes,1 nay, and 1 excused, THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Rasmusson presented HF4567, a bill for an act relating to energy; creating a process regulated by the Public Utilities Commission allowing natural gas utilities to sell bonds as a way to reduce economic impacts on customers when extraordinary events damage utility infrastructure or impose significant costs; establishing an account; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B.
Representative Long moved that HF4567 be laid over for possible inclusion.
Representative Long moved the HF4567A2 amendment, THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Testifying on HF 4567:
• Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services and Government Affairs, CenterPoint Energy
• Annie Levenson-Falk, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board
Public testimony on HF 4567:
• Cameron Raether, Resident, Good Thunder
Representative Long renewed his motion that HF 4567, as amended, be laid over for possible inclusion.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 AM.
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Representative Jamie Long, Chair
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Mike Hermanson, Committee Legislative Assistant