Energy committee approves measure lifting MN nuclear moratorium, delaying renewable standards

Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent) is clearly not happy with the direction of state energy policy over the past few years. That’s why he’s sponsoring HF9.

“House File 9 is really seeking to fix the DFL’s agenda from last year,” he told the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday. “This sets an agenda, a kind of mini-omnibus bill. … It would make electric utilities better able to ensure reliability and lower rates.”

The bill would revise a handful of provisions in state law regarding the use of renewable energy sources and lift the state’s moratorium on construction of nuclear power plants.

After hearing from 27 testifiers (21 of them speaking against the legislation) and entertaining five unsuccessful amendments from DFL members, the committee approved the bill on an 8-7 party-line vote and forwarded it to the House Taxes Committee, for some provisions would require altering tax law.

In addition to lifting the state’s moratorium on new nuclear power plants, the proposed legislation would:

• lift restrictions on the maximum output for a hydroelectric facility to meet the renewable energy standard;
• delay for three years the deadline for electric utilities to meet renewable, solar or carbon-free standards;
• prohibit the demolition of electric generating plants powered by fossil fuels;
• make it state policy to support carbon capture and sequestration technologies; and
• expand the sales tax exemption for residential heating fuels and electricity.

DFL committee members raised concerns about the lack of a federal plan for nuclear waste storage and how the provision prohibiting demolition of power plants supersedes local control. And there was a common complaint that the bill’s provisions wouldn’t lower utility rates.

“I think this bill leaves all options on the table,” said Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar). “If we’re going to have a chance to even consider nuclear, we have to address the nuclear waste discussion. We have to get to that point, but we can’t even start until we know it’s part of our language of what we can talk about today.”

“Affordability is important, and I do think we need to focus there,” said Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka). “But I think that some of the efforts in this bill are looking to limit innovation at a time when we need innovation even more.”