HF4739
Geothermal energy system construction funding provided, and money appropriated.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: SF4730
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
Explain and authorize funding to support a geothermal heating and cooling project by providing a grant to The Heights Community Energy.
Main Provisions
- Appropriation of $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the Renewable Development Account to the commissioner of commerce.
- The money is for a grant to The Heights Community Energy to construct a geothermal energy system.
- The bill uses a "notwithstanding" provision to allow this specific appropriation despite existing statutory limits.
- A geothermal energy system is defined for this section as one or more heat pumps connected to piping embedded in the earth that exchanges thermal energy with the earth and provides heating and cooling to buildings, along with related distribution and building infrastructure.
Definition (for this section)
- Geothermal energy system: A system with heat pumps and underground piping that exchanges heat with the earth to heat or cool one or more buildings.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new, specified appropriation of $3,000,000 in FY2027 from the Renewable Development Account for a grant to The Heights Community Energy.
- Introduces a formal definition of a geothermal energy system for the purposes of this section.
- Uses a notwithstanding clause to override certain statutory limitations to enable this targeted appropriation.
Fiscal/Program Impact (summary)
- Adds a one-time funding commitment in FY2027 to support a geothermal project, potentially advancing clean energy and building heating/cooling through ground-source technology.
Relevant Terms - geothermal energy system - heat pumps - piping embedded in the earth - thermal energy exchange - heating and cooling - The Heights Community Energy - Renewable Development Account - commissioner of commerce - grant - fiscal year 2027 - notwithstanding
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Energy Finance and Policy | |
| April 07, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill appropriates $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the renewable development account established in Minn. Stat. § 116C.779, subd. 1, to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to The Heights Community Energy to construct a geothermal energy system. It uses a Notwithstanding clause relating to Minn. Stat. § 116C.779, subd. 1, par. j, and defines the geothermal energy system for the purposes of this appropriation.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "116C.779",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee