SF4920

Purpose

This bill would provide a one-time state funding opportunity in fiscal year 2027 to support planning and construction of an anaerobic digester or a biomass energy facility in Becker, Minnesota. The money would come from the Renewable Development Account and be granted by the Commissioner of Commerce to Liberty Diversified International.

Main Provisions

• One-time appropriation in FY2027 from the Renewable Development Account to the Commissioner of Commerce for a grant to Liberty Diversified International to plan and construct an anaerobic digester or a biomass thermal generation facility in Becker.
• The bill creates a pathway for a project that uses organic material to generate energy, either as renewable natural gas and biochar (via an anaerobic digester) or as heat for commercial or industrial use (via a biomass thermal generation facility).

Definitions (for this section)

• Anaerobic digester: A facility that uses diverted food and organic waste to generate renewable natural gas and biochar.
• Biochar: A solid substance made from burning organic material that sequesters carbon and can be used as a soil amendment.
• Biomass thermal generation facility: A facility that generates energy for commercial heat or industrial process heat from the combustion of organic material.

Notable Changes to Law

• This appropriation is provided despite Minnesota Statutes section 116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph j, indicating a specific override or exception for this onetime grant.

What the bill seeks to accomplish

• Advance renewable energy development in Minnesota by funding a project that could produce renewable natural gas and carbon-sequestering soil amendments (biochar) or direct heat energy from organic material, supporting Becker and the involved company’s planning and construction efforts.

Significance

• Establishes a targeted government grant to a private company to pursue a biomass/biogas project in Becker, potentially advancing climate and energy goals through waste-to-energy and carbon sequestration components.

Relevant Terms anaerobic digester renewable development account renewable natural gas biochar carbon sequestration biomass thermal generation facility diverted food and organic waste Commissioner of Commerce Liberty Diversified International Becker (Minnesota) one-time appropriation