1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; requiring the commissioner of commerce to make assessments 
1.3 	to fund clean energy resource teams;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 
1.4 	216B.241, subdivision 1e.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.241, subdivision 1e, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 1e.Applied research and development grants. (a) The commissioner 
1.9 	may, by order, approve and make grants for applied research and development projects 
1.10 	of general applicability that identify new technologies or strategies to maximize energy 
1.11 	savings, improve the effectiveness of energy conservation programs, or document 
1.12 	the carbon dioxide reductions from energy conservation programs. When approving 
1.13 	projects, the commissioner shall consider proposals and comments from utilities and 
1.14 	other interested parties. The commissioner may assess up to $3,600,000 annually for the 
1.15 	purposes of this subdivision. The assessments must be deposited in the state treasury 
1.16 	and credited to the energy and conservation account created under subdivision 2a. An 
1.17 	assessment made under this subdivision is not subject to the cap on assessments provided 
1.18 	by section 216B.62, or any other law.
1.19 	(b) The commissioner, as part of the assessment authorized under paragraph (a), 
1.20 	shall annually assess and grant up to $500,000 for the purpose of subdivision 9.
1.21 	(c) The commissioner, as part of the assessment authorized under paragraph (a), 
1.22 	shall annually assess $500,000 for a grant to the partnership created by section 216C.385, 
1.23 	subdivision 2. The grant must be used to exercise the powers and perform the duties 
1.24 	specified in section 216C.385, subdivision 3.
2.1 	(d) By February 15 annually, the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking 
2.2 	minority members of the committees of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over 
2.3 	energy policy and energy finance on the assessments made under this subdivision for the 
2.4 	previous calendar year and the use of the assessment. The report must briefly describe the 
2.5 	activities supported by the assessment and the parties that engaged in those activities.