SF4708

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.