[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6631897,"mediaKeyId","2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c","parentId",2676258,"title","Committee lays over bill to expand Minnesota Energy Alley after amendment adopted","audioSeconds",332,"startMs",108000,"endMs",440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c&start=108&end=440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c/thumbnail_108000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631897/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-expand-Minnesota-Energy-Alley-after-amendment-adopted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631897-f92286c2dce91d5f7ed1b184858921ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775447949&Signature=h3JaqMQ8RCIfK-RINnXZxqv0VoQpEKSH~OpWVxCDBozCrRmPEy6Ic9ArGuCGeMKokAalAJWXUVNRxLicWgppP8QhzOwZVgjvwycRBNvvvgr7NaOnp2kX0WrewFPtwxRKCF27oLSFWyQXw7pTlJhJQQLI6zUL06wneSpHf3GXIKkrIZCEbRPR7ZCpSOp1SeAXWQzwoEsCplPPWgRuJkzAaD1~87jVVGPZNe1BfOJxHfEVEhsaJsCRbyRtpIQiu-CuY7jvca3foANGUD0Yi2Rj2aMS1rdw9R5EKqVZyYcxL6wtd-nOa~Bv~O6EZeHVSd5EYV1~PEOqorQszN6Pfq1ifA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-18T21:54:22.79Z","article","A Minnesota House committee laid over House File 1013 on March 18 after adopting an author's amendment that tightens language and adds a reporting requirement.

The bill, introduced by Representative Kraft, seeks continued support for Minnesota Energy Alley, an initiative proponents described as a public'private effort to help clean'energy startups scale in Minnesota. \"Minnesota Energy Alley is about developing a kind of Silicon Valley of clean energy in Minnesota,\" Representative Kraft said when moving the bill and the amendment.

Why it matters: Testifiers said the initiative has already helped startups reach commercialization milestones and attract outside investment. Greg Mast, executive director of Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (SEAM), told the committee the program works alongside more than 80 business members to provide seed funding and demonstration opportunities. \"We are confident that this bill, as amended, will build and expand on the program's early success in supporting and nurturing start up businesses,\" Mast said.

Bridgel Catalyst (referred to in testimony as Bridal Catalyst) and other partners described measurable outcomes from the first appropriation. Nina Axelson, president of Bridal Catalyst, said the program supported more than 20 Minnesota businesses, placed eight earlier-stage companies in an incubator and funded five Minnesota pilot projects. Axelson said the initial program investment has helped attract roughly $11 million in follow-on public and private funding since 2024 and that the initiative had invested just over $1 million in pilots.

Flow Environmental Systems, a Minnesota company developing a CO2 heat pump, described a pilot funded through the initiative. Nabud Birney, cofounder and chief financial officer of Flow, said the company will deploy a demonstration unit at a local training facility in St. Paul and expects it to be operational by summer. \"With the initiative support and the guidance from the teams at Bridal Catalyst and SEAM, we will mobilize this pilot this spring and have a fully working heat pump installed by this summer,\" Birney said.

Committee action: Representative Kraft moved the DE2 amendment, which the chair put to voice vote; the amendment was adopted and the bill was laid over for further consideration in omnibus. No roll-call vote totals were specified in the transcript.

The discussion centered on economic development, commercialization support and leveraging private capital rather than regulatory or compliance requirements. Several committee members praised the program's return on investment and expressed bipartisan support.

The bill will remain under consideration as lawmakers continue negotiations on energy and renewable development account appropriations this session. Proponents asked that further work continue on drafting and appropriation language ahead of omnibus negotiations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","A Minnesota House committee laid over House File 1013 on March 18 after adopting an author's amendment that tightens language and adds a reporting requirement.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631883,"Committee lays over bill to continue geothermal planning grant program with $2M appropriation",154,3096000,3250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c&start=3096&end=3250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c/thumbnail_3096000.jpg","/articles/6631883/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-continue-geothermal-planning-grant-program-with-2M-appropriation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631883-b41725db38e98700297989371f50ef02/orig.mp4?Expires=1775447949&Signature=OLPvuBYcCD--U900OOI2eCSiXQV-JJarnwug95ID7E1HibRIy4wCdSCBgUZBsWvg2tIwaQu6Tw8ItutWG3xFoKuh5uqJx0yyY6LGBovz7ZIm5QOUrRRVyJKKshcERKpmgxy0~4ktQHYAK9WPDvHjCQl4BhSBMtJ1pJJMjY6PbbvssFMrpDWlHq7wj1uSmGZnfK8wTkKNoVxFNZJ2lOWT6JhV6CkZNfZvA6zJPbWbIU1jdQ-3XT8~uAkGaii4EScgQOf-JmN8v0FRueHJf8XiuzOBe8LdtMKLpdLxD2cHe0LoHLZAQ5vvBrRPxaSRPlc~3zc1~HxoXQ9Osun~okU4Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Minnesota House committee on March 18 laid over House File 2162 after adopting an author's amendment that sets a $2 million Renewable Development Account appropriation and expands grant eligibility to include tribal governments.

Representative Mahamud moved the bill and described it as a continuation and expansion of a 2024 geothermal planning grant program. \"Geothermal and thermal energy networks are a growing industry in Minnesota with enormous potential to provide Minnesotans with clean energy to heat and cool our buildings,\" she said.

Why it matters: Testimony from Fresh Energy and local project coordinators said planning grants help small cities and tribal communities prepare shovel'ready projects that can reduce operating costs, improve reliability and unlock larger infrastructure investments. Sam Friesen, managing director of buildings at Fresh Energy, told the committee the original appropriation for the planning program was $1.2 million, demand exceeded supply (19 applicants requested roughly $2.56 million in the prior round), and an additional $2 million would increase access to feasibility and predevelopment planning.

Crookston, MN, provided a concrete example: Taylor Wyam, project coordinator for the City of Crookston Economic Development Department, described a neighborhood-scale geothermal network being planned alongside street and sewer reconstruction and said the prior planning grant made the preliminary work viable. Wyam urged continued funding to help more small cities and tribal partners complete feasibility work and align with near'term infrastructure projects.

Committee action: Representative Mahamud moved and the A1 amendment (setting RDA appropriation to $2,000,000 and adding tribal governments as eligible entities) was adopted; the bill was laid over for omnibus consideration. No roll'call vote totals were recorded in the transcript.

Technical clarifications from witnesses: Fresh Energy and committee members discussed typical system designs; witnesses said modern geothermal closed'loop systems are standard and that ground'source systems perform reliably at Minnesota temperatures, unlike some older air'source heat pumps that lose efficiency at very low temperatures.

Next steps: The bill was left in committee for omnibus negotiations; committee members asked staff and sponsors to consider access for small communities that lack grant-writing capacity and to track distribution between metro and Greater Minnesota applicants.","House File 2162 would add $2 million to a geothermal and thermal energy planning grant program and extend eligibility to tribal governments; the bill's A1 amendment set the RDA appropriation at $2 million and added tribal eligibility and was adopted before the bill was laid over.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631887,"Committee lays over bill to fund geothermal conversion at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory",178,2312000,2490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c&start=2312&end=2490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6631887/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-fund-geothermal-conversion-at-Como-Park-Zoo-and-Conservatory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631887-a0a5517dd74baacdeccff569ad2f0bd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775447949&Signature=UeZ0vrG-FSaz7k~~N2RIprGvYwxBYZTBmc18VuKJjPf7gi7CDw-SkdyFc~CDdlSD3yN3AvvC1AEGzyqeNGtWQyu2sZtabAX-vv9E6kMKfDdea0uVoJi4lviSWbfE7RRQvyyILyAHsmomujYybQGhQlKpZuf416WJaqFoVTAbdExpCxPntdgEvSKuhUVRTqFY~xWe4KO3mK~jdcjQMUI7SXxdFXgzalKkdDgaAzVdhu5x1EV17srff4fSGYnhWcmIJBymLw1w3BnoS9OwJ7FZxea0AbvQB7fJXt25T9BxyrLX2~RFeWodKXwDNo-rmtlxkMa9yDuAtDxMsNZqcrQJsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Minnesota House committee on March 18 laid over House File 16 56 after Representative Hollins described a request for just over $2 million from the Renewable Development Account (RDA) to construct geothermal systems and upgrade lighting and controls at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul.

Sponsor and testimony: Representative Hollins said the project would be a major step toward the City of St. Paul's net'zero goal and highlighted the conservatory and zoo as a high'energy campus. \"Almost 25% of the energy usage is within the buildings that the city owns and manages. 25% of the energy is used in, the Como Zoo,\" Hollins said.

Erica Prosser, deputy director (interim director for Como Zoo and Conservatory), told the committee the campus currently relies on a failing 40'plus'year'old steam boiler and that a 2022 geothermal feasibility study identified favorable hydrogeology and per'building payback estimates ranging roughly three to nine years. The study estimated annual net utility savings per building between $42,000 and $438,000, Prosser said.

Willis Miley and Darcy (contractor for phase 1) were referenced earlier in the hearing describing geothermal performance and installations in schools; Como project testimony noted earlier feasibility work and partners including Xcel Energy. Proponents emphasized both operational savings and on'site educational opportunities: the site serves many visitors and students annually, and project sponsors said the conversion could be used to demonstrate clean energy systems to the public.

Committee action: Representative Hollins moved the bill, which was laid over for omnibus consideration. No roll-call vote totals were specified in the transcript. Committee members asked clarifying questions about phasing and scope; a St. Paul parks official said the big'cats building would be part of a new facility design where geothermal would be included.

Next steps: The project was left in the committee record for omnibus consideration; proponents asked authors and committee staff to include the request in energy omnibus negotiations and highlighted the project's educational and long'term operational savings.","Representative Hollins moved and the committee laid over House File 16 56, which seeks just over $2 million from the RDA to construct geothermal systems and LED/building controls at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory; proponents cited campus energy use, payback estimates and educational benefits.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631892,"Committee lays over bill to fund green bank loan program for school HVAC and geothermal upgrades",375,1015000,1390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c&start=1015&end=1390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676258-2326c0c8b13df9c2e108a683f004c18c/thumbnail_1015000.jpg","/articles/6631892/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-fund-green-bank-loan-program-for-school-HVAC-and-geothermal-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631892-e0cf3e5fa2e022f57f2b84df906cc59f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775447949&Signature=cd2Ig9mbfMn6qQlyXMQQLcTS4cjGy9RRNd8WGLrM3FMRryblSiVC4ha~nf3mbeNBeI7QuLGwnqU3FU1dmObUSgu~LdVRvyIgbhmy0TiNqlYAxUdekQvRNpgmC347G-lNhDpCJHu6ruYBFR6YDCSQ4jsSCRMVqZyPDCsg~v2oYCsFMxaJrRM1QPq6tWgR3llNVtZXF6AiSN7If9OvReUIBOEQcMhRRKuPbUJd7M3Ke5MnDIg-U54~GhM0oZCkUjaHKLQfOR4Ndmok268~~OhYFinb2ZzP6uZatrj2VfPN66b1t~EFMJ2oXEPtvgchPvS7qPSnGHjUup1SkCIBsrmUZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Minnesota House committee on March 18 laid over House File 1598 after adopting an author's amendment that specifies funding amounts and definitions for geothermal systems.

Representative Hollins moved the bill and the A1 amendment; the amendment inserts $10 million from the Renewable Development Account (RDA) and $10 million from the general fund for a total $20 million appropriation to the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority (MNCIFA). \"This bill, as amended, ' would provide $20,000,000 to the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority,\" Hollins said.

Why it matters: Sponsor testimony described MNCIFA (sometimes called the Green Bank) as a vehicle to create a low'interest revolving loan fund that would allow school districts to finance installation of new HVAC or geothermal systems and to claim the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits up front. Representative Hollins told the committee the fund is intended to leverage additional public, private and philanthropic capital to reach roughly $100 million in deployable financing for schools.

Proponents and evidence: Willie Miley, regulatory director at Darcy Solutions, described geothermal system performance and lifecycle savings, saying geothermal typically uses 25'50% less energy for heating and 20'30% less for cooling than conventional HVAC and cited expected annual operating savings for two Saint Paul schools ($200,000 at Bruce Vento Elementary and $143,000 at Hidden River Middle School) with projected paybacks around 10 years. Peter Klein, former executive director of MNCIFA, said the authority implemented about $11 million of projects in 2024 and expected the board to approve an additional $10'$15 million the next day; he described ongoing discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office to leverage federal financing for larger projects.

Key program details described in committee:
- The amendment directs $10 million from the RDA and $10 million from the general fund to MNCIFA.
- The program would create a revolving loan fund for school HVAC and geothermal projects, allowing schools to access the value of federal investment tax credits up front (as described by the sponsor).
- Sponsor language requires funding to be divided by number of funded projects between the seven-county metro and Greater Minnesota (equal number of projects, not an equal dollar split), which prompted committee members to note that per-project costs vary between metro and rural districts.

Committee action: The A1 amendment was adopted by voice vote and the bill was laid over for omnibus consideration. No roll-call vote totals were specified in the transcript.

Concerns and next steps: Committee members asked whether smaller districts could access the program and raised questions about how an equal number-of-projects split would affect dollar distribution between metro and Greater Minnesota. Sponsor and staff said they would continue to work on language and implementation details while the bill is laid over for omnibus negotiations.","House File 1598, moved March 18, would send $20 million to the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority to capitalize a revolving loan fund for school HVAC and geothermal projects; an A1 author's amendment specifying funding sources and definitions was adopted and the bill was laid over.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee lays over bill to expand Minnesota Energy Alley after amendment adopted

Committee lays over bill to continue geothermal planning grant program with $2M appropriation

Committee lays over bill to fund geothermal conversion at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Committee lays over bill to fund green bank loan program for school HVAC and geothermal upgrades