Solar panels in committee's crosshairs

Solar energy advocates were out in force Tuesday to decry two bills they said would hurt the growing industry. The most direct threat is in HF235, sponsored by Rep. Marion O'Neill (R-Maple Lake), which would repeal the Made In Minnesota program that provides incentives to residents and businesses who own solar panels that was enacted by law in 2013.

Rep. Marion O'Neill

O’Neill’s bill has no companion in the Minnesota Senate.

The House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee took testimony on O’Neill’s bill before recessing to the call of the chair, Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-Farmington), who said the panel would reconvene Tuesday evening.

Also left on the agenda for consideration late Tuesday was HF113, sponsored by Rep. Jim Newberger (R-Becker). His bill would let Xcel Energy replace one of its coal-fired power plants in Becker with a natural gas plant.

Rep. Dave Baker

Newberger objected last October when the Public Utilities Commission approved the closure of two of three of Xcel’s so-called Sherco coal plants without recommending a replacement. The bill’s companion is SF85, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca), which is awaiting action by the Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee.

Earlier the committee approved HF234, sponsored by Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar), a bill that would make electrical cooperatives exempt from the Public Utilities Commission. In doing so, Baker said, his legislation would follow the model of how state statutes treat municipal electrical companies.

Several testifiers said it doesn’t make sense for the PUC to insert itself between ratepayers and investors, as it does with other utility companies, because in the case of coops, member-owners are both ratepayers and investors.

Solar industry advocates said the change would remove a venue for hearing complaints by co-op members, particularly those disputing the fairness of so-called net metering fees on individuals generating power with solar panels on their homes or businesses.

A companion, SF141, sponsored by Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne), is awaiting action in the Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee.