01-21-2014 EDC Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Champion Report Template BUILDING A $ Resilient 04, Theme Area: Energy Region Champions: Jason Edens A Robert Schafer Molly Zins Date:January 7,2014 %- I!1=i )1, t ` i ( If li- El Small Energy Production Energy 1. Biofuels—Central Lakes College Ag Center poised to utilize 8,000 gallons of fuel produced on the Center for In our farm operations in 2014. Region 2. Green Range Energy in Ironton Mn is gasifying biodiesel waste product to produce electricity and heat. • 3. Biomass—FibroMn electric power generation plant in Benson Mn repaired and resuming delivery of woodchips from Brainerd area logging companies. El Economic Development Energy 1. Central Mn Ethanol's board of directors voted in favor of selling all of their assets to Green Biologics,Inc a 'n our technology developer and emerging bio-based chemicals producer. This ethanol plant may be switched to egion butanol production and produce higher value bio-based industrial chemicals. 2. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities were awarded a Renewable Development Fund grant making both the Brainerd and Staples campuses eligible for large solar energy projects. 3. Sprucewood Affordable Housing project in Baxter installed a 40KW Solar PV array. lit- 'atr45;'1 41,2'01 1:;-4,71 Recommendation 1,II and III:PACE(Property Assessed Clean Energy)Financing PACE Financing legislation passed the MN Legislature during the last session which allows all municipal and counties with bonding authority the right to issue 20 year notes to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for commercial properties within their jurisdiction through a special tax assessment. Recommendation I,II and Ill: RePoCC(Renewable Energy Proof of Concept Center) Region Five and MN DEED continue work on the Renewable Energy Proof of Concept Center Project which will create multiple centers where entrepreneurs in the clean energy sphere can seek assistance with:access to capital; commercialization process;policy changes;market analysis and other aspects of clean tech business development. Recommendation I,II and III:MN Clean Energy Jobs Act Recently passed legislation is making renewable energy much easier to deploy statewide from both a financial and technical perspective. In addition to the previously reference PACE piece of the legislation,highlights of the bill include: 1)Production based incentive system for all PV systems installed on investor owned utilities(Minnesota - . Power,Xcel,Ottertail),2)Community shared solar gardens so ratepayers can own energy production from community based solar electric installations,3)solar thermal rebate for Minnesota made product of which there are four,4)valuation of solar electrical energy production and the ability to market and Solar Renewable Energy Credits on the climate commodities exchange,and 5)a solar heat for low-income families fund based on a tariff that is placed upon oil imported into Minnesota.