Energy panel approves plan to rename solar program for Hortman

In the wake of her assassination in June,  Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman was praised for her leadership, political skills and kindness, among many other attributes. But she offered a clue as to what she’d most like to be remembered for on her X profile.

That’s where she identified herself as a speaker, a member of the House and sponsor of the community solar garden program and solar standard.

“These were accomplishments under her leadership that she really felt strongly about,” said Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka). “She traveled the world talking about the community solar garden program. And many others have modeled their programs after the one that was started here in Minnesota.”

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (House Photography file photo)

Acomb sponsors HF3556, which would rename that program the “Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program.” After many moving and eloquent tributes in the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday, the committee approved the bill and sent it to the House Floor.

“It’s a small way of showing her vision, her leadership and her public impact,” Acomb said.

Pete Wyckoff, deputy commerce commissioner of energy resources, explained how Hortman helped launch the program.

“As chair of this committee in 2013, then-Rep. Hortman recognized the need to encourage a young, budding solar energy industry in Minnesota,” he said. “Community solar gardens, or ‘CSGs’ to the hip kids, represented a way for Minnesotans to obtain solar energy to meet their electric needs, regardless of whether they owned a home that was appropriate for rooftop solar.”

Public Utilities Commission Chair Katie Sieben testifies before the House energy committee March 3 in support of a bill to name a community solar garden program after late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

A community solar garden subscriber participates in a solar energy system along with other subscribers, their share of the electricity generated by the project credited on their electric utility bill. Among its potential benefits are predictable electricity rates over time, potential utility bill savings, and the opportunity to support a renewable energy resource.

Describing Hortman as “our solar godmother,” Logan O’Grady, executive director of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association, said, “We are building the plane as we are flying it. Melissa was our first captain.”

Among those offering tribute was Bobby King, Minnesota state director for Solar United Neighbors.

“It took vision, expertise, determination and political savvy to establish Minnesota’s community solar garden program,” he said. “Melissa Hortman had this unique set of skills.”

Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) concurred.

“I was on this committee with her, and she kicked my butt,” he said. “I was not a fan of community solar gardens, because it was really expensive at the time getting things off and running. I was challenging it a lot. And she really taught me how to be a better legislator. About how to learn and understand the bills. She was so smart. And when she got behind something, nothing got in her way.”

The committee co-chair, Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent), agreed, saying that Hortman taught him “the importance of taking leadership in things that you believe in.”