HF2934

HF2934 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

State's geologic hydrogen potential evaluation funding provided, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF2926

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to allocate funds to evaluate the potential of using geologic hydrogen as an energy resource in the state of Minnesota. This involves exploring if hydrogen can be mined from geological sources in the state and assessing the feasibility and challenges related to its extraction, storage, and transportation.

Main Provisions

Appropriation of Funds: The bill authorizes an appropriation of $650,000 from the renewable development account for fiscal year 2026. This funding is designated specifically for the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to conduct the evaluation.
Evaluation Tasks: The Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota is tasked with:
1. Determining the availability of hydrogen that can be mined from geological sources in Minnesota.
2. Assessing the feasibility of extracting hydrogen from these underground deposits.
3. Identifying potential challenges related to groundwater management with hydrogen extraction.
4. Developing cost-effective strategies for the storage and transportation of mined hydrogen.
Reporting Requirements: The Institute must provide an interim report by May 15, 2027, and a final report by May 15, 2028, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the state legislative committees in charge of energy policy and finance.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill does not directly modify any existing statutes but draws funds from an existing renewable development account to conduct the outlined hydrogen feasibility study.

Relevant Terms

Geologic hydrogen
Renewable development account
Natural Resources Research Institute
Hydrogen extraction and storage
Groundwater management

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 26, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Energy Finance and Policy

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Appropriation for evaluating geologic hydrogen potential."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section pertains to the appropriation from the renewable development account as specified in 116C.779, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116C.779",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]