Minnesota House passes bill to improve energy efficiency and cost savings opportunties in the state

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the House/Senate Conference Committee Report 88-46 to improve energy efficiency and cost savings opportunities across the state.

 The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2021 updates the conservation and improvement program (CIP) statutes providing utilities with flexibility to meet energy savings goals instead of conservation spending goals. The new focus on outcomes, instead of spending, will allow utilities to pursue more effective energy savings opportunities.  Representative Zach Stephenson, a Democrat from Coon Rapids who was the author of the bill who stated that this is the most significant energy legislation to pass in the House since 2013…

Some of the changes to CIP under Rep. Stephenson’s proposal include allowing utilities to improve service by implementing efficient fuel switching and load management within CIP, establishing separate sections in statutes for investor-owned and customer-owned utilities that better reflect their needs. The bill, according to its supporters, also expands opportunities for low-income households to benefit from energy-efficient improvements.