216C.05 FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. Subdivision 1. Energy planning. The legislature finds and declares that continued growth in demand for energy will cause severe social and economic dislocations, and that the state has a vital interest in providing for: increased efficiency in energy consumption, the development and use of renewable energy resources wherever possible, and the […]
216C.053 RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT. The commissioner of commerce must engage in activities to encourage deployment of cost-effective renewable energy developments within the state. The commissioner shall compile and maintain information concerning existing and potential renewable energy developments and resources in the state. The commissioner shall provide, as appropriate, this information in proceedings for the determination […]
216C.054 ANNUAL TRANSMISSION ADEQUACY REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. The commissioner of commerce, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, shall annually by January 15 submit a written report to the chairs and the ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over energy policy that contains a narrative describing what electric transmission infrastructure is […]
216C.055 KEY ROLE OF SOLAR AND BIOMASS RESOURCES IN PRODUCING THERMAL ENERGY. The biennial legislative proposals required to be submitted by the commissioners of commerce and the Pollution Control Agency under section 216H.07, subdivision 3, must include proposals regarding the use of solar energy and the combustion of grasses, agricultural wastes, trees, and other vegetation […]
216C.06 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30, the following terms shall have the meanings here given them. Subd. 2. [Renumbered subd 14] Subd. 2a. Building energy report. “Building energy report” means a questionnaire designed to collect information on a building concerning its energy use and other basic factors that […]
216C.07 CONFLICT OF INTEREST. No person shall be eligible to continue in office as commissioner unless that person has within six months after being appointed completed divestiture of any interest except fully vested pension rights in any utility, coal, or petroleum supplier, or manufacturer of any major component of a large energy facility doing business […]
216C.08 JURISDICTION. The commissioner has sole authority and responsibility for the administration of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30. Other laws notwithstanding, the authority granted the commissioner shall supersede the authority given any other agency whenever overlapping, duplication, or additional administrative or legal procedures might occur in the administration of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30. The commissioner shall […]
216C.09 COMMISSIONER DUTIES. (a) The commissioner shall: (1) manage the department as the central repository within the state government for the collection of data on energy; (2) prepare and adopt an emergency allocation plan specifying actions to be taken in the event of an impending serious shortage of energy, or a threat to public health, […]
216C.10 COMMISSIONER POWERS. (a) The commissioner may: (1) adopt rules under chapter 14 as necessary to carry out the purposes of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30; (2) make all contracts under sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and do all things necessary to cooperate with the United States government, and to qualify for, accept, and disburse any grant […]
216C.11 ENERGY CONSERVATION INFORMATION CENTER. The commissioner shall establish an Energy Information Center in the department’s offices in St. Paul. The information center shall maintain a toll-free telephone information service and disseminate printed materials on energy conservation topics, including but not limited to, availability of loans and other public and private financing methods for energy […]
216C.12 ENERGY CONSERVATION PUBLICITY. The commissioner in consultation with other affected agencies or departments shall develop informational materials, pamphlets and radio and television messages on energy conservation and housing programs available in Minnesota, renewable energy resources, and energy supply and demand. The printed materials shall include information on available tax credits for residential energy conservation […]
216C.13 POSTSECONDARY ENERGY EDUCATION. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of education, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, shall assist in the development and implementation of adult and postsecondary energy education programs. History: […]
216C.145 COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOAN PROGRAM. Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section. (b) “Community energy efficiency and renewable energy projects” means solar thermal water heating, solar electric or photovoltaic equipment, small wind energy conversion systems of less than 250 kW, anaerobic digester gas systems, microhydro […]
216C.146 COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY LOAN REVENUE BONDS. Subdivision 1. Bonding authority; definition. (a) The commissioner of management and budget, if requested by the commissioner of commerce, shall sell and issue state revenue bonds for the following purposes: (1) to make community energy efficiency and renewable energy loans under section 216C.145; (2) to […]
216C.15 EMERGENCY ENERGY CONSERVATION AND ALLOCATION PLAN. Subdivision 1. Priorities and requirements. The commissioner shall maintain an emergency conservation and allocation plan. The plan shall provide a variety of strategies and staged conservation measures to reduce energy use and, in the event of an energy supply emergency, shall establish guidelines and criteria for allocation of […]
216C.16 STATE PETROLEUM SET-ASIDE PROGRAM. Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to grant to the commissioner authority to exercise specific power to deal with shortages of refined petroleum products. Authority granted shall be exercised for the purpose of minimizing the adverse impacts of shortages and dislocations upon the citizens and the economy […]
216C.17 ENERGY FORECASTS AND STATISTICS; REPORT. Subdivision 1. Energy data program. In order to further the purposes of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30, the commissioner shall develop and maintain an effective program of collection, compilation, and analysis of energy statistics. The statistical program shall be developed to insure a central state repository of energy data and […]
216C.18 STATE ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION REPORT. Subdivision 1. Report on trends and issues. By July 1 of 1988 and every four years thereafter, the commissioner shall issue a comprehensive report designed to identify major emerging trends and issues in energy supply, consumption, conservation, and costs. The report shall include the following: (1) projections of […]
