by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Homeowners wanting to make energy-efficient or renewable energy improvements on their homes but unable because of costs could be helped by legislation carried by area lawmakers.

Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, and Sen. John Doll, DFL-Burnsville, are carrying bills that would permit the cost of home and business energy improvements to be paid through a special assessment on the property tax.

Two area lawmakers, Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, and Sen. John Doll (pictured), DFL-Burnsville, are carrying energy legislation that would allow local government to voluntarily help fiance home and commercial energy improvements, the homeowner or business people paying back the financing through the property tax. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

“It’s all voluntary,” said Kalin of the proposal. It’s voluntary for local government. It’s voluntary for home and business owners, he said.

The legislation would allow local government to make special energy assessments — allow for the issuance of revenue bonds.

It requires energy audits, proof the proposed energy improvements would in fact be beneficial.

“I think the opposition (to the bill) is nil, or nothing,” said Kalin, noting similar pieces of legislation have been proposed at the Capitol.

Proposal has a lot of support

“We’re very excited about this proposal,” said Doll. “We have a lot of support for it,” he said.

Some aspects of special energy assessments the lawmakers like is that people are familiar with the concept — it’s like an assessment for a new sidewalk, Kalin explained.

And because the assessment is on the property, homeowners have less concern about getting an energy improvement knowing they may move in the near future.

Kalin stressed the need for the nation to establish energy independence from foreign energy. Minnesota spends $200 a second on imported energy, he said.

The lawmakers presented their legislation at a Capitol press conference Tuesday, March 9 where environmentalists and members of the solar energy industry testified on behalf of the legislation.

One thing Minnesota has, said Kalin, is wind and actually solar power, too. Even on cloudy days, solar energy can be produced, he noted. Kalin believes the legislation has a good chance of being shaped this session and becoming law. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Ken Bradley, program director for Environment Minnesota, said in solar capacity the state is on par with Jacksonville, Fla.

The renewable energy forms covered by the bill are solar thermal, solar pbotovoltaic, wind and geothermal.