Minnesota Update
The House Energy and Climate Policy and Finance Division focused on energy efficiency this week, again working to lay a foundation for more aggressive renewable goals. On Tuesday, the committee heard from the new Commissioner of the Department of Commerce, Steve Kelley. Commissioner Kelley presented on the Department’s report studying the energy efficiency potential for 2020-2029. The report found that current Conservation Improvement Programs are high performing and cost effective. The Department noted strong coordination with utility partners and joint implementation of future programs is critical.
On Thursday, local units of government met with the committee to share their energy efficiency successes. Additionally, the Elk River Municipal Utilities testified that their greener portfolio has generally been the result of business decisions rather than mandates, noting the mandates put operational and financial costs on smaller utilities.
As we look forward to next week, the House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division will hold a hearing on Representative Jamie Long’s (DFL-Minneapolis) bill to increase Minnesota’s Renewable Energy Standard to 80% by 2035 and mandate that 100% carbon free energy must come from electricity providers by 2050. The committee will be meeting both in the morning and again at 4:30pm on Tuesday to hear from testifiers.