Senate committee hears proposal to move $4M from RDA to pre-weatherization to unlock federal funds for low-income homes

ST. PAUL — Lawmakers considered a proposal to transfer $4 million from the Renewable Development Account to pre-weatherization activities that clear health-and-safety barriers preventing low-income homes from receiving federal weatherization funds.

Senator DiVall, sponsor of SF 44 50, said the one-time $4 million transfer would ensure that homes with issues such as faulty wiring, asbestos or structural problems can get the preparatory work needed to receive federal weatherization assistance. Richard Clover, executive director of the Energy-Senior Coalition (transcribed as Energy Sense Coalition), and representatives of the Center for Energy and Environment testified that pre-weatherization investments make households eligible for larger federal grants and multiply the effect of state dollars; witnesses noted a significant share of those funds go to rural communities.

Members expressed broad bipartisan support for weatherization but asked technical questions about implementation, building health and the balance of insulation and indoor air quality. Committee members also discussed the RDA’s purpose and whether returning RDA dollars to ratepayers would be preferable; the sponsor and witnesses said the proposed transfer aligns with the RDA’s goals to increase system efficiency and access to clean-energy investments.

Chair France laid SF 44 50 over for further consideration.

Why it matters: Pre-weatherization can unlock federal dollars and expand energy-efficiency benefits to low-income and rural households that otherwise cannot access federally funded upgrades due to remediation needs.

What’s next: The committee will take additional time to consider implementation details; the bill was laid over.