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House committee hears plan to upgrade Brainerd hydroelectric generators, lays bill over
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony on House File 1366 seeking funding to replace aging generators at the Brainerd hydroelectric facility; the committee approved an A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further consideration.
House File 1366, sponsored at committee by Chair Heintzeman, would fund replacement and modernization of turbine generators at the Brainerd hydroelectric facility to increase output and reliability.
The bill drew testimony from Chris Evans, director of Brainerd Public Utilities, who described the plant as “a historical site 11 years” in the city’s ownership and said the plant currently runs “mostly with original and vintage equipment.” Evans told the committee the city plans “to invest $14,000,000 over the next 4 years to get this facility to the new capacity level.”
Why it matters: Committee members said they support preserving local renewable generation but raised questions about funding sources, rate impacts and whether this request belongs in a bonding bill. Several members pressed staff and the city’s representatives for details on customer counts, current output and equipment life-span.
Evans said the current hydro equipment supplies less than 5 percent of Brainerd’s annual demand and that the utility serves roughly a city population of 15,000, with some territory in Baxter and nearby townships. Trent Hawkins, Brainerd Public Utilities operations manager, told the committee that with all five units operating the plant’s connected capacity is about 3.2 megawatts. Hawkins said modern turbine technology would operate more efficiently and produce power even at low river flows, an important factor as the Mississippi has experienced multi-year low flows.
Committee discussion focused on whether the request belongs in energy or capital investment legislation. Representative Hines asked whether this was a bonding project. Chair Heintzeman and the bill sponsor replied the proposal is intended as a conversation starter and that the request might be advanced in a different vehicle or in another form. Representative Ackam and others asked how much of the upgrade cost would fall to local ratepayers; sponsors and testifiers said the city is mindful of keeping rates low but did not give a specific local-share figure.
The committee approved an A1 amendment to the bill and then laid House File 1366 over for further consideration.
Ending: No appropriation was adopted today; the bill will return for additional committee work and possible referral to other committees for fiscal and policy review.
