[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6472890,"mediaKeyId","5769603-ddbef2c5af3430ed1e187c03a86e3076","parentId",5769603,"title","LCCMR approves $5.17 million ENRTF work plan to fund anaerobic digester construction for Ramsey and Washington counties","audioSeconds",1152,"startMs",554000,"endMs",1706000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5769603-ddbef2c5af3430ed1e187c03a86e3076&start=554&end=1706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5769603-ddbef2c5af3430ed1e187c03a86e3076/thumbnail_554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472890/Minnesota/LCCMR-approves-517-million-ENRTF-work-plan-to-fund-anaerobic-digester-construction-for-Ramsey-and-Washington-counties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472890-a2adb813fa09732bc64fe35dbc8c78f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770655922&Signature=Dqvay3tWkFsYVlRNDc88tVvHh2eC7j~XwOW9K7wte4z7trh9FHIkXNZodXJ7INhhmAoEZigDltnZUvuhTdkjr0MKPO-BbIzh1X-RZttIg7qG7DlBfQw~KnIs5qja9Qw3CJiZV4PTTpBoM9kA42fS2Yovi~yyXDzmUa9ABpj1EbPo0dwnimQuSodCWaf~P1EC~fvDgC7ETXh7UjSdyuHxnvNiExAOwfa-~En-1G6R-Wz~ZJTiUZenMObfIRh15G5xNlBnYQYDF078IP7GS9mbQyzQKXA~sLI5wMI~VV59giXTtGqrVo5bbV36qD-fA8t8jN2TC-Xch0RO01DdropD5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources","date","2025-09-17T01:49:17Z","article","The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on Sept. 16 approved an updated $5,167,000 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund work plan to support construction of an anaerobic digester to process organic material for Ramsey and Washington counties.

Staff told commissioners the original ENRTF proposal had sought reimbursements to offset processing (tipping) fees charged to residents. After review with the grantee, recycling authorities and the DNR grants unit, staff said that model was not feasible; the revised work plan would instead use ENRTF funds to pay construction costs for the digester, which will be owned and operated by a private contractor selected through competitive bidding (identified in the meeting as Demcon/DCHCI Bioengineering LLC).

Staff and presenters explained several material changes and issues for the commission to consider before voting. The project financing model presented by the private partner includes a mix of private financing, public grants, tax-credit equity, tipping fees, and revenue from sales of renewable natural gas and biochar. The project partners said they needed grant agreements from ENRTF and at least three other public grants by October to secure bank financing and keep construction on the timeline needed to preserve pricing and other terms in the service contract.

Because the appropriation language originally described ENRTF funds as offsets to processing fees rather than capital construction, staff highlighted two legal and procedural points for commission consideration: (1) capital-construction rules may apply if the project is treated as construction, including a 25% match requirement, certification of full funding before construction, and restrictions on altering or conveying the constructed facility for 25 years; and (2) Minnesota Statute 116P.10 generally requires net income from ENRTF-funded projects to be returned to the ENRTF unless the appropriation language explicitly authorizes reinvestment. The proposed work plan includes a request to allow reinvestment of NRTF (ENRTF) income into operations per a reinvestment plan; staff said they were not aware of a prior precedent for allowing a private entity to retain net income from an ENRTF-funded project and recommended the commission formally consider the request.

Commission members asked about scale and resident impacts. Staff provided a back-of-the-envelope estimate that the grant would reduce tipping fees about $1.50 per ton for each $1,000,000 in grant funds allocated (an example figure presented during discussion), and a commissioner summarized that the proposed $5.17 million grant would in rough terms equate to about a $7.50 per ton reduction under that formula. Members asked about project risks and remedies if the project underperformed; staff explained standard grant controls such as withholding final reimbursement until the facility is built and operational and withholding funds until fee offsets are demonstrated.

Project partners described operational details and partnerships. Bill Keegan of Demcon Companies said the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a project partner that will supply yard waste and provide operational synergies (facility bypass and mutual backup) because their new composting facility is adjacent to the digester site. Project staff and Director Mortensen described an added secondary process — pyrolysis — that converts digestate into biochar; staff said test results show the pyrolysis-produced biochar has effectively eliminated PFAS in tested organics used in the process.

Commissioner Reese noted the ENRTF funding would leverage over $100 million in total project financing and environmental benefits if the project proceeds as planned. After discussion, Dr. Faber moved to approve the updated work plan for project ID 2025306. The commission approved the item by roll call, 13 yes to 1 no; Senator Green voted no. The approved work plan includes provisions that final reimbursements will be withheld until the digester is operational and that fee offsets during the grant period be demonstrated before final payments are made.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCCMR Meeting - September 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on Sept. 16 approved an updated $5,167,000 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund work plan to support construction of an anaerobic digester to process organic material for Ramsey and Washington counties.","taxTitle","Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR), Agencies, Boards, & Commissions, Executive, Minnesota","taxId",30804,"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},6472896,"LCCMR approves $330,000 ENRTF work plan for North Hennepin Community College outdoor leadership program",234,241000,475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5769603-ddbef2c5af3430ed1e187c03a86e3076&start=241&end=475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5769603-ddbef2c5af3430ed1e187c03a86e3076/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6472896/Minnesota/LCCMR-approves-330000-ENRTF-work-plan-for-North-Hennepin-Community-College-outdoor-leadership-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472896-a7884a3a97c2e13d7d79ede717960646/orig.mp4?Expires=1770655922&Signature=htcavgnipR-ieA3HSO15Tm9JrvvlnlrGvsgWqq78UDaLRJrle-XWxKAavcXhL2f~qswaFUA9zmJYM7XDPbxN~Mt2wZ50EyRbAy0MTBCd-Gzzq1FIJKqIPQpr~bAdVTrfmF6cZnDL~wzod9AnhA~XXdwrxaqNsXwd8aTEKnkSdHnZEGm7Lw2VkJpLCHJn84WvzUXd-8KkgNJP4f4urRkzcoffWdR2Y24L~WSfzXLR5IUL3JqUQc93ooJvVVHzJzhwb~IIZq6u4dKLhbNE9iyoUg4oPXU4JpHQGlPWmUcgSowHU27F-d-OkzqoCySfdTsz-WY51qZsMwsf1sBg0t6cmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on Sept. 16 approved a $330,000 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund work plan for North Hennepin Community College to support a program titled “Creating future leaders in outdoor and environmental leadership.”

Staff told the commission the work plan on the consent agenda had been heard during the 2025 RFP round and was already included in last year’s appropriation bill; the item required only finalization and formal approval of the work plan before funds can be issued.

Mike Baron, who explained the item for staff, said the work plan had been accepted by staff with reasonable changes from the original proposal and is now ready for commission approval. Commissioner Albrecht moved to approve the consent agenda as presented; a second was offered before the vote.

The roll call vote on the consent agenda was 13 yes, 1 no. Senator Green cast the lone no vote. The commission chair noted quorum was present at the start of the meeting and that the commission needed to conclude business promptly because members were scheduled for a field trip after the meeting.

No further discussion or conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes for this consent item. As a consent item, staff indicated no additional presentations were required and the work plan will proceed to grant agreement steps per normal DNR grants unit process.","The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources approved a $330,000 work plan on the consent agenda for North Hennepin Community College to support an outdoor and environmental leadership program. The project had previously been included in the 2025 appropriation and required only final work-plan approval.","actionData","errors"]

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LCCMR approves $5.17 million ENRTF work plan to fund anaerobic digester construction for Ramsey and Washington counties

LCCMR approves $330,000 ENRTF work plan for North Hennepin Community College outdoor leadership program