SF4708 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Brainerd energy efficiency projects appropriation
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Provide funding support to Brainerd Public Utilities for energy efficiency improvements.
Main Provisions
- Appropriation amount: $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the Renewable Development Account to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to Brainerd Public Utilities.
- Availability of funds: The appropriation is available until expended.
- Scope of eligible projects: Energy efficiency projects include upgrades to existing turbine generators, replacing existing turbine generators with new units, and improvements to existing structures to accommodate new turbine generators.
- Statutory override: The appropriation is made notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes section 116C.779 subdivision 1 paragraph j.
- Administration: The commissioner of commerce administers the grant to Brainerd Public Utilities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new targeted use of Renewable Development Account funds for a specific utility (Brainerd Public Utilities) to pursue energy efficiency projects.
- Overrides the referenced provision in Minnesota Statutes (116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph j) for this appropriation.
Funding Source and Implementation
- Source: Renewable Development Account under Minnesota Statutes 116C.779, subdivision 1.
- Implementing body: Commissioner of Commerce distributes the grant to Brainerd Public Utilities.
- Timeline: Funded in fiscal year 2027; funds remain available until expended.
Scope and Eligible Recipient
- Eligible recipient: Brainerd Public Utilities (a city public utility).
- Geographic focus: Brainerd, Minnesota.
- Project focus: Energy efficiency improvements related to turbine generators and related structural adaptations.
Potential Impacts
- May improve energy efficiency and reliability for Brainerd Public Utilities.
- Allocates state energy funds to a specific local utility project, potentially enabling modernization of turbine equipment and facilities.
Next Steps
- If enacted, the commissioner of commerce would process and award the grant to Brainerd Public Utilities for approved energy efficiency projects as described.
Relevant Terms energy efficiency projects; Brainerd Public Utilities; appropriation; Renewable Development Account; Minnesota Statutes 116C.779; subdivision 1; commissioner of commerce; grant; upgrades to existing turbine generators; replacing existing turbine generators with new units; improvements to existing structures to accommodate new turbine generators; fiscal year 2027; not withstanding; section 116C.779 subdivision 1 paragraph j.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Section 1 of the bill appropriates $7,500,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the Renewable Development Account, under Minn. Stat. 116C.779, subd. 1, to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to Brainerd Public Utilities for energy efficiency projects. The section uses a Notwithstanding clause referencing Minn. Stat. 116C.779, subd. 1, paragraph j, and defines the scope of energy efficiency projects to include upgrades to existing turbine generators, replacements of turbine generators with new units, and improvements to existing structures to accommodate new turbine generators.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "116C.779",
"subdivision": "subd. 1"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee