Dive Brief:
- A Minnesota Republican has proposed allowing utilities to determine which renewable energy sources are cheapest, in a move he believes will lower energy costs and pollution.
- State Rep. Pat Garofalo has proposed a bill he said will help the state's clean energy sector, but critics warn it would be a step back from efficiency and solar targets and may force panel manufacturers to abandon Minnesota.
- On the flip side, a Minnesota Democratic senator has proposed to expand solar mandates, highlighting the divide between the state's lawmakers..
Dive Insight:
According to Rep. Garofalo, his proposal would allow the market to determine the cheapest renewable sources — between hydro, wind and solar — ultimately expanding their use and reducing carbon emissions. But solar advocates say the measure would actually halt efficiency targets in 2016 and would cut a rule requiring utilities to get at least 1.5% of their power solar energy.
The proposal would also eliminate subsidies for solar panels, including those made in the state. That could mean manufacturers abandon the state, the Star Tribune reported. Officials at Silicon Energy have said they would shut down their facility if the subsidy is cut, despite investing $10 million in the plant.
On the Senate side, however, a bill which has support from Gov. Mark Dayton (D) would increase to 40% the amount of renewable energy investor owned utilities must use, and would raise annual conservation targets to 2%. The bill was introduced by Sen. John Marty (D).
Minnesota's solar industry has been undergoing a boom. At the end of last year the state had 14 MW installed, but now has more than 400 MW on the drawing board, in part because of a 2013 community solar law which did not allow utilities to limit the resource.
