House action would dim small-scale solar power

The House took up two bills Thursday that would throw shade on small-scale solar energy generators.

By an 89-37 vote, the House passed HF234, sponsored by Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar). The bill would exempt rural electric cooperatives’ net-metering rules from being regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. The bill now goes to the Senate where Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne) is the sponsor.

Net metering is the system by which residents and businesses with solar panels sell excess power to utility companies. In 2015, the Legislature changed the law so co-ops and municipal utilities could set rules to recoup transmission costs from net-metering customers.

Under HF234, net metering disputes involving co-ops or municipal utilities could no longer go to the Public Utilities Commission. Net-metering customers unhappy with their co-ops’ rulings will appeal to those co-ops’ boards.

WATCH House Floor debate on HF234

“Let’s give our local boards the authority they need to make those decisions,” Baker said.

The House adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL-Mpls) that would provide for mediation in net-metering disputes and investigation by the commission into whether co-ops’ net-metering fees comply with state law.

Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) questioned whether local utilities’ boards are open and transparent to state standards for government. “I think this bill is a step backward,” he said.

The House also took up HF235 sponsored by Rep. Marion O'Neill (R-Maple Lake). It would bring to an end “Made in Minnesota” solar incentives for owners of solar panels.

O’Neill’s bill would also rechristen the Renewable Development Account, which currently funds renewable energy technology research, as the energy fund account. It receives about $25 million annually from Xcel Energy, an amount tied to the number of casks of spent nuclear fuel stored at Xcel’s Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear power plants.

Passed by the House 76-49, HF235 goes to the Senate where Sen. David Osmek (R-Mound) is the sponsor.