Senate committee weighs removing 100‑MW cap so all hydro could count as carbon‑free

Sen. Joe Eichorn, sponsor of Senate File 426, told the Senate Energy Committee on Jan. 29 that the bill would remove a 100‑megawatt capacity threshold so hydroelectric generation of any size could qualify as an eligible carbon‑free technology under Minnesota law.

Supporters from utilities and industry told the committee removing the cap would expand options for meeting Minnesota’s carbon‑free goals. “When you think about it, this is the ultimate in renewable,” said Deb Bergen of Missouri River Energy Services, who described MRES members’ allocations from six federal dams on the Missouri River and told the committee the river’s dams have a combined capacity of just over 2,400 megawatts. “Hydropower is not only clean and renewable, it is flexible.”

The bill’s author said the change is intended to give utilities another tool in planning for the state’s 2040…