fusclimate Mailing List: Update on Clean Energy Jobs Bill

[Shannon Williams (sjc]

The Clean Energy Jobs Act passed the House:
<http://mnipl.org/publicpolicy/get-involved-in-mn-state-climate-policy/clean
-energy-and-jobs-bill-passes-the-house.html>
http://mnipl.org/publicpolicy/get-involved-in-mn-state-climate-policy/clean-
energy-and-jobs-bill-passes-the-house.html

 

Legislation Establishes 40 Percent by 2030 Renewable Electricity Standard,
Solar Energy Standard

[SAINT PAUL, MN] The Minnesota House of Representatives last night passed
clean energy and jobs legislation, establishing a solar standard of 4
percent by 2025, as well as an increase in the state's Renewable Electricity
Standard to 40 percent by 2030 for investor-owned utilities. The bill passed
the House by 70-63. The Minnesota Clean Energy & Jobs campaign released the
following statement:

"This legislation will provide good jobs and protect Minnesota's air, land
and water for generations to come. We have a responsibility to compete in
the marketplace for clean energy and compete for the jobs that come with it.
This is a tremendous step toward a clean energy economy in this state.

"Speaker Thissen and Representative Hortman deserve heartfelt thanks for
ensuring that clean, renewable energy will be produced in Minnesota.
Although there's more to be done, this legislation will catalyze investment,
creates new jobs, and shows that our state is open for renewable energy
business."

The legislation includes the following provisions:

*       Increases the state's existing Renewable Electricity Standard to 40
percent by 2030, up from 25 percent by 2025, for investor-owned utilities.
*       Requires investor-owned utilities to provide at least 0.5 percent of
its power through solar electricity by the end of 2016; 2 percent by late
2020; and 4 percent by late 2025.
*       Requires investor-owned utilities to invest 1-1/3 percent of their
annual retail sales in subsidies for homeowners and businesses to install
small solar systems.
*       Requires the Department of Commerce to calculate a "value of solar,"
which would determine how much utilities would pay small producers. The
amount would be adjusted annually.
*       The bill also would offer incentives to owners of solar equipment
made in Minnesota.

 

 

Shannon Williams

Social Justice Coordinator

First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis