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Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division

SIXTEENTH MEETING

2019-2020 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 12, 2019

STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FIRST SESSION

ENERGY AND CLIMATE FINANCE & POLICY DIVISION

MINUTES

Representative Jean Wagenius, Chair of the Energy and Climate Finance & Policy Division, called the first meeting to order at 9:48 A.M. on, March 12, 2019, in room 120 of the Capitol Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:
Wagenius, Jean, Chair
Long, Jamie, Vice-Chair
Swedzinski, Chris, Republican Lead
Acomb
Baker
Bierman
Boe
Christensen
Garofalo
Halverson
Hornstein
Mahoney
Mekeland
Stephenson

Members excused:


A quorum was present at 9:49 A.M.


HF1956 (Long) - Clean Energy First Act established, electric utilities required to meet resource needs using clean energy resources, biomass definition as eligible energy technology modified, electricity-generating utilities energy proportion from renewable sources increased and target dates goals must be achieved set, state energy savings policy goal updated and Conservation Improvement Program Modernization Act of 2019 established.

Representative Long moved that HF 1956 be laid over for possible inclusion.

Testifying on HF 1956:
Representative Long
Steve Kelly, Commissioner of the Department of Commerce
Joe Sullivan, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Commerce

Representative Mekeland moved the HF1956A1 amendment and requested a roll-call vote on the motion. The results are as follows:

AYES:

NAYS:
Wagenius, Jean, Chair
Long, Jamie, Vice-Chair
Swedzinski, Chris, Republican Lead
Acomb
Baker
Bierman
Boe
Christensen
Garofalo
Hornstein
Mahoney
Mekeland
Stephenson

ABSENT:
Halverson

On a vote of ZERO AYES, THIRTEEN NAYS and ONE ABSENT. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL AND THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.

Public Testifying on HF 1956:
Gregg Mast, Clean Energy Economy
Jim Nichols, former Senator and Commissioner of Agriculture
Isaac Orr, Center for the American Experiment
Joyce Peppin, Minnesota Rural Electric Association
Tim Sullivan, Wright Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
Greg Padden, Great River Energy
Joel Johnson, Minnkota Power Cooperative
Kenrick Scheevel, Dairyland Power Cooperative
Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power
Joe Pereira, Citizen Utility Board
Jeff Seewald, Trane Great Nothern Plains District
Carrie Wittenberg, Werner Electric Supply
Ahmad Kian, President of Apadana Lighting and Solar
Paul Austin, Executive Director of Conservation Minnesota
Jason Bohrer, President and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council
Kevin Lee, MN Center for Environmental Advocacy
Jessica Tritsch, Sierra Club
Patsy Foster-Bolton, ISAIAH leader from Minnetonka, MN
Steve Clemmer, Union of Concerned Scientists


The meeting recessed at 11:23 A.M.


Meeting reconvened at 4:32 P.M.


Representative Stephenson moved adoption of the March 7, 2019 minutes.
THE MOTION PREVAILED.


Continued Public Testifying on HF 1956:
Kent Sulem, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association
Imam Asad Zaman, Muslim American Society of Minnesota
Anna Grace Hottinger, MN Can’t Wait
Dani Steil, MN Can’t Wait
Justin Fay, Fresh Energy
Michelle Dreier, MN Electrical Association
Joel Smith, LIUNA of MN & ND
Rick Evans, Xcel Energy
Jigme Ugen, SEIU Healthcare
Alan Muller, Redwing, MN
Chris Schoenherr, SMMPA
David Shaffer, MnSEIA
Rob Scott-Hovland, Missouri River Energy Services
Kristin Lin, Take Action Minnesota
Lauryn Schothorst, MN Chamber of Commerce
Loren Laugtug, Ottertail Power


Rep. Swedzinski moved to table HF 1956 and requested a roll-call vote on the motion. The results are as follows:

AYES:
Swedzinski, Chris, Republican Lead
Baker
Garofalo
Mekeland

NAYS:
Wagenius, Jean, Chair
Long, Jamie, Vice-Chair
Acomb
Bierman
Halverson
Hornstein
Stephenson

ABSENT:
Boe
Christensen
Mahoney

On a vote of FOUR AYES, SEVEN NAYS and THREE ABSENT. THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL AND THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.


Chair Wagenius laid over HF 1956 for possible inclusion.


The meeting adjourned at 5:54 P.M.




____________________________
Rep. Jean Wagenius, Chair





____________________________
Zachary Zimmerman
Committee Legislative Assistant




More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF1956 (Long) - Clean Energy First Act established, electric utilities required to meet resource needs using clean energy resources, biomass definition as eligible energy technology modified, electricity-generating utilities energy proportion from renewable sources increased, state energy savings policy goal updated and Conservation Improvement Program Modernization Act of 2019 established.
Documents:

HF1956 (Long) - Clean Energy First Act established, electric utilities required to meet resource needs using clean energy resources, biomass definition as eligible energy technology modified, electricity-generating utilities energy proportion from renewable sources increased and target dates goals must be achieved set, state energy savings policy goal updated and Conservation Improvement Program Modernization Act of 2019 established.

If you wish to testify, please contact Mike Molzahn at mike.molzahn@house.mn