Chapter 216C — Powers and Duties of Commissioner; Rules

216C.01 Definitions Defines key terms for the energy conservation chapter, including alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and the … 216C.02 Powers and Duties of Commissioner; Rules Gives the commissioner of commerce power to receive and spend money, make contracts, and collect information on energy … 216C.03 State Government Energy-savings Plan Requires the commissioner of commerce to work with state agencies and universities to find ways for state government to … 216C.05 Findings and Purpose States Minnesota's energy policy goals: save 1.5% of energy sales each year, cut fossil fuel use 15% by 2015, and get … 216C.051 This section has been repealed and renumbered. Most provisions were moved to section 3.8851. 216C.052 This section has been repealed or has expired. 216C.053 Renewable Energy Development Requires the commissioner of commerce to promote affordable renewable energy projects and track renewable energy … 216C.054 Annual Transmission Adequacy Report to Legislature Requires the commissioner of commerce to report yearly to the legislature on what electric power lines the state will … 216C.055 Key Role of Solar and Biomass Resources in Producing Thermal Energy Requires state officials to consider using solar energy and plant-based fuels for heating buildings as part of … 216C.06 Definitions Defines terms used in the energy planning sections, including solar energy systems, wind energy systems, utilities, … 216C.07 Conflict of Interest The commissioner of commerce must sell any financial interest in energy companies within six months of being appointed. … 216C.08 Jurisdiction The commissioner of commerce has the lead role in administering energy conservation law. Other state agencies must … 216C.09 Commissioner Duties Lists the commissioner's duties including collecting energy data, maintaining emergency plans, studying building energy … 216C.10 Commissioner Powers Lists the commissioner's powers including adopting rules, making contracts, entering agreements with other states and … 216C.11 Energy Information Center Requires the Department of Commerce to run an Energy Information Center that provides energy data, technical help, and … 216C.12 Energy Literacy Requires the commissioner to develop and distribute information about energy conservation and efficiency programs to … 216C.13 Postsecondary Energy Education The commissioner must help develop adult and college-level energy education programs in partnership with education … 216C.14 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.145 Community Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program Creates a loan program for community energy projects like solar panels, small wind systems, and energy efficiency … 216C.146 Community Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Revenue Bonds Allows the state to sell revenue bonds to fund the community energy efficiency and renewable energy loan program under … 216C.15 Emergency Energy Conservation and Allocation Plan Requires the commissioner to maintain an emergency plan for energy shortages, with rules for cutting energy use and … 216C.16 State Petroleum Set-aside Program Gives the commissioner power to manage petroleum shortages by setting aside motor gasoline and heating fuel for … 216C.17 Energy Forecasts and Statistics; Report Requires utilities, coal suppliers, and petroleum suppliers to submit yearly energy demand forecasts covering the next … 216C.18 State Energy Policy and Conservation Report Every four years, the commissioner must publish a detailed report on energy supply, use, conservation, and costs, … 216C.19 Energy Conservation Sets energy efficiency rules for street and parking lot lighting, limits outdoor display lighting hours, and bans … 216C.195 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.20 Energy Conservation in Public Building Requires energy-saving standards for public buildings, bans heating commercial parking structures built after 1978, and … 216C.21 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.22 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.23 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.24 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.25 Solar Energy System Standards Requires the state to set quality and performance standards for solar energy systems sold or installed in Minnesota. 216C.26 Energy Research Project; Review Requires the commissioner to track and evaluate energy research and demonstration projects in Minnesota and elsewhere, … 216C.261 Alternative Energy Engineering Activity The commissioner runs an alternative energy engineering program that provides on-site technical help for energy … 216C.262 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.263 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.264 Coordinating Residential Weatherization Programs Makes the Department of Commerce the lead agency for federal weatherization funds and requires coordination with utility … 216C.2641 Weatherization Training Grant Program Creates a grant program to train workers for careers in the weatherization industry through competitive grants to … 216C.265 Emergency Energy Assistance; Fuel Funds Establishes fuel funds to provide emergency energy assistance to low-income households. Energy providers can collect … 216C.266 Data Privacy; Energy Programs Protects the privacy of people who apply for energy assistance and weatherization programs. Data is private and can only … 216C.27 This section has been repealed. 216C.29 Subpoena Power Gives the commissioner subpoena power to require documents and witness testimony for energy planning purposes. 216C.30 Enforcement; Penalties, Remedies Violations of this chapter are misdemeanors. Courts can impose up to $10,000 in civil penalties per violation and order … 216C.31 Energy Audit Programs The commissioner must develop energy audit programs for homes and businesses, including setting training standards for … 216C.315 Alternative Energy Economic Analysis Requires the commissioner to analyze alternative energy economics, provide information to consumers, and evaluate … 216C.32 Energy-efficient Building Education The commissioner must educate contractors, engineers, and architects about building energy-efficient new buildings. 216C.33 Minnesota Biomass Center Allows the commissioner to create a Minnesota Biomass Center to coordinate research and development of energy from … 216C.331 Energy Benchmarking Requires large commercial buildings (over 50,000 sq ft) to measure and report their energy use through benchmarking … 216C.34 Money for School or Governing Body Provides state funding for energy audits and conservation measures in schools and government buildings that filed … 216C.35 Priorities for Funding All applications for energy conservation funding must go through the commissioner, with a report on the building's … 216C.36 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.37 Energy Conservation Investment Loan Creates a loan program for energy conservation investments in buildings, such as insulation and efficient heating … 216C.373 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.374 Electric School Bus Deployment Program Creates a program to help school districts buy electric school buses, install charging infrastructure, and pilot … 216C.375 Solar for Schools Program Creates the Solar for Schools program to help Minnesota schools install solar panels and develop clean energy education … 216C.376 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.377 Solar Grant Program; Public Buildings Provides grants for solar energy systems on public buildings owned by state agencies, local governments, and tribal … 216C.378 Distributed Energy Resources System Upgrade Program Creates a program to upgrade utility power lines so more homes and businesses can connect solar panels and battery … 216C.379 Energy Storage Incentive Program Requires Xcel Energy to run a grant program helping customers buy and install home energy storage systems (batteries) up … 216C.38 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.381 Community Energy Program Allows cities, counties, and tribal governments to create community energy councils to develop local energy conservation … 216C.385 Clean Energy Resource Teams Establishes Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) as a state-university-nonprofit partnership to help communities plan and … 216C.39 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.390 Legislative Findings States the legislature's finding that increasing Minnesota's economic competitiveness is critical to a strong economy. 216C.391 Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund Creates the Minnesota State Competitiveness Fund to help the state apply for and win competitive federal grants, … 216C.40 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.401 Electric Vehicle Rebates Creates a rebate program for people who buy or lease new electric vehicles, with higher rebates for lower-income buyers. 216C.402 Grant Program; Manufacturers' Certification of Auto Dealers to Sell Electric Vehicles Provides grants to car dealers to cover the cost of getting certified by manufacturers to sell electric vehicles. 216C.41 Renewable Energy Production Incentive Provides cash incentives to small renewable energy producers, including qualified wind, hydroelectric, and biomass … 216C.411 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.412 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.413 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.414 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.415 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.416 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.417 Program Administration; 'made in Minnesota' Solar Energy Production Incentives Manages remaining payments for the now-closed 'Made in Minnesota' solar incentive program for applications approved by … 216C.42 Definitions; Energy Improvements for Buildings Defines terms for the energy improvement financing program, including energy improvement projects, energy project … 216C.43 Energy Improvement Financing Program for Local Government Lets local governments use guaranteed energy savings contracts to finance energy improvements in public buildings … 216C.435 Definitions; Pace Loan Programs Defines terms for PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) loan programs that let property owners finance energy … 216C.436 Commercial Pace Loan Program Lets local authorities create commercial PACE loan programs so businesses can finance energy, water, and resiliency … 216C.437 Residential Pace Loan Program; Authority; Consumer Protections Creates residential PACE loan programs with strong consumer protections, letting homeowners finance energy improvements … 216C.44 This section has been repealed or is reserved for future use. 216C.441 Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority Creates the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority to fund clean energy projects using grants, loans, and other … 216C.45 Residential Electric Panel Upgrade Grant Program Creates a grant program to help homeowners upgrade their electrical panels to support electric vehicles, heat pumps, and … 216C.46 Residential Heat Pump Rebate Program Provides rebates for homeowners who install cold-climate heat pumps, on top of any federal rebates available under the … 216C.47 Geothermal Planning Grants Provides planning grants to cities, counties, towns, and tribal governments to study using geothermal energy systems for … 216C.48 Standardized Solar Plan Review Software; Technical Assistance; Financial Incentive Encourages local governments to adopt standardized software for reviewing solar panel permits and offers grants to … 216C.50 Propane Education and Research Council Allows propane producers and retailers to form an education and research council that can collect fees to fund safety … 216C.51 Utility Diversity Reporting Requires public utilities in Minnesota to file annual reports on the diversity of their workforce and suppliers.