MN SF3800

Appropriates $15,800,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2023 to the commissioner of commerce for a grant to the city of Rochester for a municipal district heating and cooling energy distribution system.

The system will connect the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester City Hall, Rochester Art Center, Rochester Civic Theater, and Rochester Public Library, with capacity to connect future public and private developments on nearby properties.

Funds may be used for predesign, design, engineering, construction, equipping the facility, and capital improvements related to renewable energy sources including solar thermal, geothermal, solar panels, and building control replacements.

Prior expenditures by the city for predesign, design, and engineering are counted as nonstate contributions to the project.

This is a onetime appropriation available until the project is completed or abandoned, and funding is contingent on the commissioner of management and budget determining that sufficient nonstate resources have been committed to complete the project.