1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to energy; appropriating money for the solar for schools program;amending
1.3 Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.376, subdivision 5.
1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.376, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.6 Subd. 5.Program funding. (a) In 2022, the public utility subject to section 116C.779
1.7 must withhold $8,000,000 from the transfer made under section 116C.779, subdivision 1,
1.8 paragraph (e), to pay for assistance provided by the program under this section. In 2023,
1.9 the amount that must be withheld is $4,300,000. In 2024, the amount that must be withheld
1.10 is $8,000,000. In 2025, the amount that must be withheld is $8,000,000. The money withheld
1.11 under this paragraph must be used to pay for financial assistance awarded under this section
1.12 and the costs to administer this section. Any money that remains unexpended on June 30,
1.13 2027, five years after the money is withheld cancels to the renewable development account.
1.14 (b) The renewable energy credits associated with the electricity generated by a solar
1.15 energy system installed under this section are the property of the public utility that is subject
1.16 to this section for the life of the system, regardless of the duration of the financial assistance
1.17 provided by the public utility under this section.
1.18 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.
1.19 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
1.20 $4,300,000 in fiscal year 2023, $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2024, and $8,000,000 in fiscal
1.21 year 2025 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of commerce to
2.1 provide financial assistance to schools to purchase and install solar energy generating systems
2.2 under Minnesota Statutes, section 216C.375. The appropriations under this section must be
2.3 expended on schools located outside the electric service territory of the public utility that
2.4 is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 116C.779. The appropriations under this section
2.5 are available until June 30, 2028. The base amount for fiscal year 2026 is $0.
2.6 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.
