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Energy Policy

TWENTY-NINTH MEETING

2013-2014 Regular Session - Monday, March 17, 2014

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-NINTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION


ENERGY POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Melissa Hortman, Chair of the Energy Policy Committee, called the twenty-ninth meeting to order at 12:34 P.M. on, March 17, 2014, 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
Allen
Atkins
Beard
Falk
Hackbarth
Hornstein
Kelly
Masin
Quam
Scott
Selcer
Yarusso

Members excused:


A quorum was present.

Representative Morgan moved approval of the March 4, 2014 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

Representative Morgan moved approval of the March 10, 2014 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

Representative Morgan moved approval of the March 11, 2014 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.


Issues related to municipalization and community choice aggregation.

Testifying before the Committee:

Elizabeth Glidden, Minneapolis City Council Vice President (8th Ward)
Mike Bull, Director of Policy and Communications Center for the Energy and Environment
Laura McCarten, Regional Vice President - XCEL Minnesota
Eric Swanson, CenterPoint Energy


Handouts were given to Committee members
“Minneapolis Energy Pathways - A Framework for Local Energy Action”.
“Xcel Energy letter dated August 8, 2013”.
Pathways Study: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/energyfranchise/WCMS1P-113782
Climate Action Plan: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/climate/index.htm


Representative Dehn presented his bill HF1450 before the Committee.

HF1450 (Dehn) Public utility franchise agreement provided, and municipalities authorized to charge public utility fee.

Testifying before the Committee:

Paul Aasen, Minneapolis City Co-coordinator
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
Eric Swanson, CenterPoint Energy


Representative Hornstein presented his bill HF945 before the Committee.

HF945 (Hornstein) Public Utilities Commission just compensation determination factor amended for a utility purchased by a municipality.

Testimony was given by:

Tim Springer, Minneapolis Citizen
Loren Laugtug, Otter Tail Power
Joel Johnson, Minnesota Rural Electric Association


Representative Garofalo presented his bill HF2732 before the Committee.

HF2732 (Garofalo) Municipal energy goal costs allocated.

Testimony was given by:
Bill Glahn, Edina Citizen

Representative Falk presented his bill HF 2877 before the Committee.

HF2877 (Falk) Community energy choice aggregation program study required, and money appropriated.

Testimony was given by:

John Farrell, Institute for Local Self Reliance
Dylon Bradford Kesti, Minneapolis Energy Options
Pat Mullen – Minnesota Power
Deb Birgen, Missouri River Energy Services
Larry Johnston, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Bill Black, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association



The meeting recessed at 2:10 P.M.

The meeting resumed at 4:04 P.M. in Room 10 of the State Office Building.

A quorum was present.








Representative Hortman moved HF2911before the Committee.

HF2911 (Davnie) Solar energy systems exempted from property taxation, and solar energy production tax established.

Testimony was given by:
Nathan Franzen, Geronimo Energy

Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF2911 be re-referred to the Committee on Taxes.
The motion prevailed.


Representative Hortman moved HF2719 before the Committee.

HF2719 (Anzelc) Biorefinery using cellulosic feedstock environmental review requirements modified.

Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF 2719 be re-referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy.
The motion prevailed.


Representative Morgan moved HF2918 before the Committee.

HF2918 (Morgan) Solar energy system residential use restrictions prohibited.

Representative Morgan moved adoption of amendment H2918A1.
The amendment was adopted.

Testimony was given by:
Ross Abbey, Fresh Energy

Representative Morgan renewed his motion that HF2918 be re-referred as amended to the Civil Law Committee.
The motion prevailed.


Vice-Chair Morgan assumed the chair at 4:26 P.M.


Representative Morgan moved HF2834 before the Committee.

HF2834 (Hortman) Energy; antiquated, unnecessary, redundant, or obsolete laws eliminated.

Representative Hortman moved adoption of amendment H2834A1.
The amendment was adopted.

Testimony was given by:
Mike Rothman, Commissioner - Minnesota Department of Commerce

Representative Morgan renewed his motion that HF2834 be re-referred as amended to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance Committee.
The motion prevailed.


Chair Hortman resumed the Chair at 4:30 P.M.





Representative Quam moved HF2869 before the Committee.

HF2869 (Newberger) Coal energy standard provided.

Testimony was given by:
Joel Johnson, Minnesota Rural Electric Association
Justin Fay, Sierra Club

Handouts were given to Committee members:
“Twin Cities Area Freight Railroad Map”
“Minnesota Freight Railroad Map”
“Today in Energy – date December 16, 2011”
“United States Natural Gas deliveries per capita”


Representative Quam moved adoption of amendment A14-0883.
The amendment was adopted.

Representative Quam renewed his motion that HF2869 be re-referred as amended to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance Committee.
The motion failed.


Representative Quam moved HF2828 before the Committee.

HF2828 (Quam) Pipeline permitting efficiency goal established.

Testimony was given by:
Jason George, IUOE Local 149
Dan Larson, American Petroleum Institute
Dan Wolf, Public Utilities Commission

A handout was given to Committee members;
“MPUC Pipeline Route Permit Process”.

Representative Quam renewed his motion that HF2828 be re-referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance Committee.

Representative Garofalo requested a roll call.
Voting Aye:
Garofalo
Quam
Scott

Voting Nay:
Hortman
Morgan
Falk
Hornstein
Masin
Selcer
Yarusso

Absent:
Allen
Atkins
Beard
Hackbarth
Kelly

The motion failed.



The meeting adjourned at 5:44 P.M.









REP. MELISSA HORTMAN, CHAIR




Mary Elizabeth Faust
Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF1450 (Dehn) - Public utility franchise agreement provided, and municipalities authorized to charge public utility fee.
  • HF0945 (Hornstein) - Public Utilities Commission just compensation determination factor amended for a utility purchased by a municipality.
  • HF2732 (Garofalo) - Municipal energy goal costs allocated.
  • HF2877 (Falk) - Community energy choice aggregation program study required, and money appropriated.

Issues related to municipalization and community choice aggregation.
*HF1450, HF 945, and HF2732 are informational and no vote will be taken. Action will be taken on HF2877. The Chair has waived the amendment deadline for HF2877.
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF2719 (Anzelc) - Biorefinery using cellulosic feedstock environmental review requirements modified.
  • HF2911 (Davnie) - Solar energy systems exempted from property taxation, and solar energy production tax established.
  • HF2918 (Morgan) - Solar energy system residential use restrictions prohibited.
  • HF2834 (Hortman) - Omnibus energy bill.
  • HF2869 (Newberger) - Coal energy standard provided.
  • HF2828 (Quam) - Pipeline permitting efficiency goal established.
Documents:
  • - 3/14/2014
  • - 3/14/2014
  • - 3/14/2014

*Amendments are due to Committee Administrator Peter Strohmeier by 4 p.m. March 14.