Committee advances House File 9 to taxes after discussion on nuclear, hydro and reliability

Rep. Swazinski, the author of House File 9, successfully moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Taxes after committee discussion and public testimony on reliability, nuclear power, hydroelectric resources and tax exemptions.

House File 9 would broaden what counts as eligible carbon‑free generation for Minnesota’s 2040 standard, lift the state’s moratorium on new nuclear construction, allow larger hydroelectric facilities to qualify regardless of capacity or date of operation, prohibit political subdivisions from permitting demolition of fossil fuel plants under a specified retail‑rate test, and expand a state sales‑tax exemption for natural gas and electricity used as primary residential heat to apply year‑round for sales after June 30, 2026.

The bill’s author, Rep. Swazinski, told the committee the measure seeks “off ramps” from parts of Minnesota’s 2023 clean energy law to protect reliability and affordability, arguing the changes would help utilities “ensure reliability, and lower rates” and would “end the moratorium on construction of new nuclear plants.”

Testimony at the hearing focused on grid…