Minnesota
House
The full House took up the House version of SF 972 – the Omnibus Commerce and Energy bill on Wednesday. The House version of the Omnibus bill does include two of Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s priority bills, the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (ECO) and broadband easement language. However, the House version of SF 972 also contains many problematic provisions.
Some of the problematic provisions include:
- An increase to the Renewable Energy Standard (RES). New targets are 40% by 2025 and 55% by 2035.
- 100% carbon-free standard by 2040 with interim targets.
- Clean Energy First – does not include Great River Energy’s exemptions (peaking plants, MISO purchases, carbon capture and sequestration).
- Amends the Next Generation Energy Act goals. Sets the state goal to be net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- Changes the definition of solar energy system to include transmission.
- Requires all utilities to do annual diversity reporting to the Commissioner of Commerce.
- Allows renewable developers to use the alternative review process for siting and routing of transmission if developer has all of its easements.
A number of Republican amendments were offered to the bill. One amendment offered by Rep. Spencer Igo (R-Grand Rapids) would have included carbon capture and sequestration as a carbon-free resource. The amendment failed. The bill remains largely unchanged. In the end, the House Omnibus Commerce and Energy bill passed on a straight party-line vote.
The bill will now go to a conference committee to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions.
North Dakota
The Legislature plans to end its 2021 session early. Session may conclude as early as Wednesday, April 28, if lawmakers are able to come to agreement on the remaining bills. The legislative leadership goal is to end early to save days to gavel in at a later time to address redistricting and federal stimulus money.
Gov. Doug Burgum attended the Lignite Energy Council (LEC) annual meeting on Thursday, April 22 where he was presented the Public Service Award for being a great ally for the lignite industry. Jason Bohrer, president and CEO, LEC commended the Governor’s and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford’s work during the legislative session to help put the coal industry in a more competitive position. While at the meeting, Burgum signed the coal conversion and severance tax exemption legislation (HB 1412) into law. The bill provides a five-year coal-conversion tax-relief to lignite plants to help improve their economic circumstances. The original intent was to be at 85% of the total conversion and severance taxes which would not impact the local 15% county, city and school tax revenues. He recognized and thanked the bill sponsors before signing. Burgum and his team promote an all-of-the-above energy strategy based on innovation, not regulation, to advance energy development.
Early in the week the Governor vetoed two bills that came to his desk, the state-issued mask mandate ban and the transgender sports bill. The House of Representatives and Senate voted to override the veto on the mask mandate ban. The House voted 66-27 and Senate 32-15 (narrowest margin possible) to override the veto. The bill will take effect August 1. Supporters of the bill don’t believe government should be able to require masks and that it is a local control issue. On the transgender sport bill, the House voted to override with a 68-25 vote but the Senate did not have enough votes at 28-19 to override so the veto remains.
Great River Energy has several position statements available to inform stakeholders on key issues. Find them here.