HF4770

Purpose

This bill would provide a one-time funding grant to plan and build an anaerobic digester or a biomass thermal generation facility in the city of Becker. The money comes from Minnesota’s Renewable Development Account and would be administered by the commissioner of commerce to Liberty Diversified International.

Main Provisions

• A one-time appropriation in fiscal year 2027 from the Renewable Development Account to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to Liberty Diversified International. The grant is to plan and construct either:
  • an anaerobic digester, or
  • a biomass thermal generation facility in Becker.
• The appropriation uses a Notwithstanding clause to override a specific provision of Minnesota law (Minnesota Statutes section 116C.779 subdivision 1 paragraph j) to allow this funding.
• Definitions provided for this section:
  • Anaerobic digester: a facility that uses diverted food and organic waste to generate renewable natural gas and biochar.
  • Biochar: a solid substance made from burning organic material that sequesters carbon and can be used as a soil amendment.
  • Biomass thermal generation facility: a facility that generates energy for commercial heat or industrial process heat from the combustion of organic material.

Key Definitions and Terms (Explicit Terms from the Bill)

• anaerobic digester
• renewable natural gas
• biochar
• biomass thermal generation facility
• diverted food and organic waste
• renewable development account
• commissioner of commerce
• one-time appropriation
• Becker
• Liberty Diversified International

Funding and Implementation

• Source of funds: Renewable Development Account (a Minnesota state fund).
• Recipient: Commissioner of Commerce, acting to provide a grant to Liberty Diversified International.
• Location: Becker, Minnesota.
• Purpose: To plan and construct an anaerobic digester or a biomass thermal generation facility.
• Timing: Fiscal year 2027.
• Nature of appropriation: One-time.

Changes to Existing Law

• Uses a Notwithstanding clause to override a specific statutory provision (116C.779, subdivision 1, paragraph j) for this particular funding action. In effect, it makes an exception to allow this onetime grant outside normal statutory constraints.

Potential Impacts and Rationale (High-level)

• Resource use: Encourages utilization of diverted food and organic waste for energy-related projects.
• Energy and heat: Aims to provide renewable energy or heat for commercial/industrial use in Becker.
• Environmental: The anaerobic digestion pathway can produce renewable natural gas and biochar, with potential carbon sequestration benefits from biochar.
• Economic: Supports planning and construction activities and related jobs tied to the project and the grant recipient.

Implementation Considerations

• Oversight and reporting would likely involve the commissioner of commerce and Liberty Diversified International to ensure project planning and construction milestones are met.
• Since this is a one-time appropriation, ongoing annual funding is not established by this bill.

Relevant Terms - anaerobic digester - anaerobic digestion - renewable natural gas - biochar - biomass thermal generation facility - diverted food and organic waste - Renewable Development Account - commissioner of commerce - one-time appropriation - Becker - Liberty Diversified International - plan and construct - grant - energy for commercial heat - industrial process heat