Bill Text: MN SF1349 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Geothermal heating and cooling systems application to utility renewable energy obligations
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-13 - Referred to Environment and Energy [SF1349 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF1349-Introduced.html
1.2relating to energy; renewable energy; allowing geothermal heating and cooling
1.3systems to apply to a utility's renewable energy obligation under certain
1.4conditions;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.1691, by adding a
1.5subdivision.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.1691, is amended by adding a
1.8subdivision to read:
1.9 Subd. 1a. Geothermal heating and cooling system. (a) The net reduction in
1.10electrical consumption resulting from the replacement or displacement of space or water
1.11heating systems and space cooling systems fueled by electricity, after accounting for
1.12the electrical consumption by the geothermal heating and cooling system itself, may be
1.13counted toward a utility's standard obligation under this section, provided that the utility
1.14provides financial assistance to the owner of the geothermal heating and cooling system in
1.15an amount that reduces the purchase and installation cost by at least ... percent.
1.16(b) The commissioner of commerce shall determine how to calculate the net reduction
1.17in electrical consumption resulting from the installation of a geothermal heating and
1.18cooling system that a utility may apply toward its standard obligation under this section.
1.19(c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "geothermal heating and cooling system"
1.20means a system that:
1.21(1) exchanges thermal energy from groundwater or a shallow ground source to
1.22generate thermal energy through a geothermal heat pump or a system of geothermal heat
1.23pumps interconnected with any geothermal extraction facility that is an open loop system
1.24in which ground or surface water is circulated in an environmentally safe manner directly
1.25into the geothermal extraction facility and is:
2.1(i) returned to the same aquifer or surface water source; or
2.2(ii) transported to a water treatment plant prior to distribution through a municipal
2.3water system;
2.4(2) meets or exceeds federal Energy Star product specification standards;
2.5(3) is manufactured, installed, and operated in accordance with applicable
2.6government and industry standards; and
2.7(4) does not transmit electricity to the electrical grid.
2.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.3systems to apply to a utility's renewable energy obligation under certain
1.4conditions;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.1691, by adding a
1.5subdivision.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.1691, is amended by adding a
1.8subdivision to read:
1.9 Subd. 1a. Geothermal heating and cooling system. (a) The net reduction in
1.10electrical consumption resulting from the replacement or displacement of space or water
1.11heating systems and space cooling systems fueled by electricity, after accounting for
1.12the electrical consumption by the geothermal heating and cooling system itself, may be
1.13counted toward a utility's standard obligation under this section, provided that the utility
1.14provides financial assistance to the owner of the geothermal heating and cooling system in
1.15an amount that reduces the purchase and installation cost by at least ... percent.
1.16(b) The commissioner of commerce shall determine how to calculate the net reduction
1.17in electrical consumption resulting from the installation of a geothermal heating and
1.18cooling system that a utility may apply toward its standard obligation under this section.
1.19(c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "geothermal heating and cooling system"
1.20means a system that:
1.21(1) exchanges thermal energy from groundwater or a shallow ground source to
1.22generate thermal energy through a geothermal heat pump or a system of geothermal heat
1.23pumps interconnected with any geothermal extraction facility that is an open loop system
1.24in which ground or surface water is circulated in an environmentally safe manner directly
1.25into the geothermal extraction facility and is:
2.1(i) returned to the same aquifer or surface water source; or
2.2(ii) transported to a water treatment plant prior to distribution through a municipal
2.3water system;
2.4(2) meets or exceeds federal Energy Star product specification standards;
2.5(3) is manufactured, installed, and operated in accordance with applicable
2.6government and industry standards; and
2.7(4) does not transmit electricity to the electrical grid.
2.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
