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Energy Policy

FOURTEENTH MEETING

2013-2014 Regular Session - Monday, March 4, 2013

STATE OF MINNESOTA FOURTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION


ENERGY POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Melissa Hortman, Chair of the Energy Policy Committee, called the thirteenth meeting to order at 12:04 P.M. on, March 4, 2013, in room 10 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:
Hortman, Melissa, Chair
Morgan, Will, Vice-Chair
Garofalo, Pat, Republican Lead
Atkins
Beard
Falk
Hackbarth
Hornstein
Kelly
Masin
Quam
Scott
Selcer
Yarusso

Members excused:
Allen

Mr. Dennis Larson, gave testimony on HF752, in favor of the bill.

A quorum was present.

Representative Hortman moved HF623 before the Committee.

Representative Hortman moved to incorporate the A13-0133 into the H0623A1 amendment.
The amendment was incorporated.

Representative Hortman moved the amended H0623A1 amendment.
The amendment was adopted.

A handout was given to Committee members, "Laurentian Energy Authority Fact Sheet".

Testimony was given by:
Terry Leoni, Laurentian Energy Authority
Larry Cuffe, Virginia City Council
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy

Representative Hortman renewed her motion to pass HF623 as amended to be laid over for possible inclusion in the Energy omnibus bill.
The motion prevailed.



Representative Hortman moved HF320 be passed and sent to the Education Finance committee.

Representative McNamar presented the bill

HF320 (McNamar) School energy conservation revolving loan program established, school districts permitted to repay energy conservation loans from levies made without voter approval, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Testifying on behalf of HF320: Sherry Boezinke, US Green Buildings Council

Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF320 be passed and sent to the Education Finance committee.
The motion prevailed.


Representative Hortman moved that HF 567 be moved before the Committee for possible inclusion in the Energy omnibus bill.

Representative Hortman moved amendment A13-0083.
The amendment was adopted.

HF567 (Melin) Solar energy requirements modified for state buildings.

A handout was given to Committee members "Silicon Energy, Information Sheet, August 2012".
A handout was given to Committee members "tenK Solar, delivering a higher standard in solar energy for your rooftop".

Lynn Hinkle, Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association
Joel Cannon, TenK Solar
Peter Paris, Sheet Metal Workers
Ben Gerber, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF567 as amended be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus Energy bill.
The motion prevailed.



Representative Hortman moved that HF780 be moved before the Committee for possible inclusion in the Energy omnibus bill.

HF780 (Mahoney) Waste heat recovered and used as thermal energy and biomass-generated thermal energy permitted to be counted towards energy savings goals.

A handout was given to Committee members " Recovery and Reuse of Waste Heat".

Testifying on the bill: Ken Smith, Ever-Green Energy.

Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment H0780A1.
The amendment was adopted.

An oral amendment to the amendment on line 1.2 delete "subdivision" and insert "section",
on Line 1.2 delete "3" and insert "11" and on line 1.3 delete "3" and insert "11".
The oral amendment was incorporated.

Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF780 as amended be laid over for possible
inclusion in the Energy omnibus bill.
The motion prevailed.



Representative Garofalo moved the bill before the Committee.

HF843 (Garofalo) Utilities and associations permitted to retain unspent funds if it contributes to a low-income home energy assistance program.

Representative Garofalo moved adoption of amendment H0843A1.
The amendment was adopted.

Represenatative Garofalo moved the oral amendment - Line 1.6, before "subdivision" insert "section 216B.16," and after "15" insert a comma.
The oral amendment was incorporated.

Dan Larson, Dakota Electric
Pam Marshall, Energy CENTS Coalition

Representative Garofalo moved that HF843 as amended be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
The motion prevailed.



Representative Morgan moved approval of the February 26, 2013 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.


The meeting adjourned at 1:45 P.M.


REP. MELISSA HORTMAN, CHAIR




Mary Elizabeth Faust
Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF320 (McNamar) - School energy conservation revolving loan program established, school districts permitted to repay energy conservation loans from levies made without voter approval, funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
  • HF567 (Melin) - Solar energy requirements modified for state buildings.
  • HF623 (Melin) - Biomass mandate project and a proposed high-voltage transmission line regulated.
  • HF780 (Mahoney) - Waste heat recovered and used as thermal energy and biomass-generated thermal energy permitted to be counted toward energy savings goals.
  • HF843 (Garofalo) - Utilities and associations permitted to retain unspent funds if it contributes to a low-income home energy assistance program.
Documents:
  • - 3/1/2013
  • - 3/1/2013
  • - 3/1/2013
More Info On This Meeting..

The committee will meet only if we don't complete the afternoon's agenda.