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Committee hears request to extend and add $1.2 million for St. Thomas Center for Microgrid Research
Summary
Senate File 27‑58 requests an extension of previously appropriated RDA funds for the University of St. Thomas Center for Microgrid Research and asks for an additional $1,200,000 from the Renewable Development Account to cover delays and increased costs. Testimony emphasized the center’s research, workforce training, and outside funding attracted;
Senator Zhang presented Senate File 27‑58 on March 24, asking the committee to (1) extend the availability of a portion of a previously approved RDA appropriation that cannot be spent before its current expiration date, and (2) provide an additional $1,200,000 from the Renewable Development Account to cover delays and increased construction costs at the University of St. Thomas Center for Microgrid Research.
Dean Don Weinkauf of the University of St. Thomas College of Engineering, Professor Mahmoud Kabalan (director of the Center for Microgrid Research), and Chandra Herr of Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (also called SEAM) testified in support. Weinkauf said the center has identified or been awarded about $23,000,000 in additional funding and is launching R&D and workforce programs; Kabalan described the center as a world‑class applied engineering research facility focused on distributed energy resources and microgrids. SEAM’s testimony emphasized workforce training, industry partnerships, and start‑up support.
Committee members questioned the history of prior RDA appropriations and other funding streams to the center. Testimony clarified that a prior $10,000,000 award had been partially spent (about $7,000,000 used), and the current request includes seeking extension of approximately $3,000,000 of that prior appropriation that would expire on June 30, 2025, plus the additional $1,200,000 under this bill. Committee discussion cited other funding sources the center has received, including federal awards and private commitments; the university’s Dean said the university has committed $5,000,000 to the project.
Senators also asked about the center’s federal and private awards; witnesses said the center has attracted multiple grants and investments, including federal support and private commitments, and that some federal funds cannot be used for bricks‑and‑mortar construction, necessitating state RDA support for capital work. Members asked whether the requested funds represent a new recurring commitment or a one‑time completion request; witnesses characterized this as completing authorized work and covering unforeseen construction and permitting costs.
The committee laid Senate File 27‑58 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
