Bill Text: MN SF1454 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Renewable energy research funding for University of Minnesota (U of M) extension
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-18 - Referred to Environment and Energy [SF1454 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF1454-Introduced.html
1.2relating to energy; extending funding for research on renewable energy to the
1.3University of Minnesota;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116C.779,
1.4subdivision 3.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116C.779, subdivision 3, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8 Subd. 3. Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment. (a)
1.9Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraph (g), beginning July 1, 2009, and each July
1.101 through2011 2014, $5,000,000 must be allocated from the renewable development
1.11account to fund a grant to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the
1.12Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment for the purposes described in
1.13paragraph (b). The Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment must set aside
1.14at least 15 percent of the funds received annually under the grant for qualified projects
1.15conducted at a rural campus or experiment station. Any set-aside funds not awarded to a
1.16rural campus or experiment station at the end of the fiscal year revert back to the Initiative
1.17for Renewable Energy and the Environment for its exclusive use. This subdivision does
1.18not create an obligation to contribute funds to the account.
1.19(b) Activities funded under this grant may include, but are not limited to:
1.20(1) environmentally sound production of energy from a renewable energy source,
1.21including biomass and agricultural crops;
1.22(2) environmentally sound production of hydrogen from biomass and any other
1.23renewable energy source for energy storage and energy utilization;
1.24(3) development of energy conservation and efficient energy utilization technologies;
2.1(4) energy storage technologies; and
2.2(5) analysis of policy options to facilitate adoption of technologies that use or
2.3produce low-carbon renewable energy.
2.4(c) For the purposes of this subdivision:
2.5(1) "biomass" means plant and animal material, agricultural and forest residues,
2.6mixed municipal solid waste, and sludge from wastewater treatment; and
2.7(2) "renewable energy source" means hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal
2.8energy, and microorganisms used as an energy source.
2.9(d) Beginning January 15 of 2010, and each year thereafter, the director of the
2.10Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment at the University of Minnesota shall
2.11submit a report to the chair and ranking minority members of the senate and house of
2.12representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy finance describing the
2.13activities conducted during the previous year funded under this subdivision.
2.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.3University of Minnesota;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116C.779,
1.4subdivision 3.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116C.779, subdivision 3, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8 Subd. 3. Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment. (a)
1.9Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraph (g), beginning July 1, 2009, and each July
1.101 through
1.11account to fund a grant to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for the
1.12Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment for the purposes described in
1.13paragraph (b). The Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment must set aside
1.14at least 15 percent of the funds received annually under the grant for qualified projects
1.15conducted at a rural campus or experiment station. Any set-aside funds not awarded to a
1.16rural campus or experiment station at the end of the fiscal year revert back to the Initiative
1.17for Renewable Energy and the Environment for its exclusive use. This subdivision does
1.18not create an obligation to contribute funds to the account.
1.19(b) Activities funded under this grant may include, but are not limited to:
1.20(1) environmentally sound production of energy from a renewable energy source,
1.21including biomass and agricultural crops;
1.22(2) environmentally sound production of hydrogen from biomass and any other
1.23renewable energy source for energy storage and energy utilization;
1.24(3) development of energy conservation and efficient energy utilization technologies;
2.1(4) energy storage technologies; and
2.2(5) analysis of policy options to facilitate adoption of technologies that use or
2.3produce low-carbon renewable energy.
2.4(c) For the purposes of this subdivision:
2.5(1) "biomass" means plant and animal material, agricultural and forest residues,
2.6mixed municipal solid waste, and sludge from wastewater treatment; and
2.7(2) "renewable energy source" means hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal
2.8energy, and microorganisms used as an energy source.
2.9(d) Beginning January 15 of 2010, and each year thereafter, the director of the
2.10Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment at the University of Minnesota shall
2.11submit a report to the chair and ranking minority members of the senate and house of
2.12representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over energy finance describing the
2.13activities conducted during the previous year funded under this subdivision.
2.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
