Bill > SF2710

This bill modifies the definition of "carbon-free" in Minnesota's energy statutes to include electricity generation technologies that derive at least 50 percent of a utility's annual retail electricity sales from burning wood chips. Specifically, these wood chips must come from two sources: (1) limbs, branches, and other byproducts of timber harvesting operations conducted for non-energy purposes, or (2) discarded wood products. The bill expands the existing definition of carbon-free electricity generation, which previously did not include wood chip combustion, to provide more flexibility for utilities in meeting carbon-free energy requirements. The modification allows wood-based biomass to be considered a carbon-free energy source under certain conditions, potentially providing utilities with an additional option for meeting renewable energy goals. The bill will become effective the day after its final enactment, allowing utilities to potentially incorporate wood chip-based electricity generation into their carbon-free energy strategies.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2710&ssn=0&y=2025