HF680 Summary

• Directs allocation and use of federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 across energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in Minnesota, with goals including job creation, improved energy efficiency, timely implementation, and geographic distribution across the state.

• Appropriates $131,937,411 for weatherization assistance, $10,644,100 for energy efficiency and conservation block grants (distributed 61.5% to local government energy efficiency grants and 38.5% to local government and school district building renovations), and $54,172,000 for the State Energy Program.

• Establishes programs for residential weatherization, local government and school district building renovations, state building energy improvements, residential energy financing, renewable energy grants (maximum $500,000 per project), electric generation rebates, and solar energy projects in public buildings and schools.

• Requires the Office of Energy Security to submit allocation criteria to legislative committees for review and provide detailed progress reports on stimulus fund spending, job creation, energy savings, and compliance with prevailing wage and disadvantaged business enterprise requirements by specified dates through September 2010.

• Directs workforce development training programs targeting unemployed and low-income individuals, including youth and rural communities, with funding of $5,022,000 for energy education, training, and data systems.