Minnesota Hydrogen Laws and Incentives
State Incentives
Renewable Energy and Technology Grants
The University of Minnesota's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment offers grants to promote statewide economic development; sustainable, healthy and diverse ecosystems; and national energy security through development of bio-based and other renewable resources and processes. Eligible projects include those focused on environmentally sound production of energy, including hydrogen, from a renewable energy source such as biomass and agricultural crops; development of energy conservation and efficient energy utilization technologies; energy storage technologies; and analysis of policy options to facilitate adoption of technologies that use or produce low-carbon renewable energy. (Reference Senate File 550, 2009, and Minnesota Statutes 116C.779)
State Laws and Regulations
Clean Energy Collaborative
The Governor's Clean Energy Technology Collaborative (Collaborative) was created for experts to discuss issues that impact the development of new clean energy technologies that utilize Minnesota expertise, Minnesota resources, and benefit Minnesota by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Collaborative provides the Governor with advice and recommendations on matters relating to advances in technology and research in order to achieve Minnesota's long-term clean energy goals, including reducing GHG emissions by 80% by 2050 and generating 25% of Minnesota energy from renewable energy resources by the year 2025. (Reference Executive Order 08-04, 2008)
Hydrogen Energy Plan
The Minnesota Department of Administration is required to identify opportunities for demonstrating the use of hydrogen fuel cells within state-owned facilities, vehicle fleets, and operations. The Department of Administration is required to purchase and demonstrate hydrogen, fuel cells, and related technologies in ways that strategically contribute to realizing Minnesota's hydrogen economy goals. Additionally, the state Department of Commerce (DOC) is expected to report to the legislature every two years with a list of proposed pilot projects that contribute to realizing these goals, including those demonstrating technologies such as hybrid-electric, off-road, and fleet vehicles operating on hydrogen or fuels blended with hydrogen.
The DOC is authorized to accept federal funds, expend funds, and participate in projects to design, develop, and construct multi-fuel hydrogen fueling stations that eventually link urban centers along key trade corridors across the jurisdictions of Manitoba, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. These energy stations should accommodate a wide variety of vehicle technologies and fueling platforms, including hybrid, flexible fuel, and fuel cell vehicles. They may offer, but not be limited to, gasoline, diesel, ethanol (E85), biodiesel, and hydrogen, and may simultaneously test the integration of on-site combined heat and power technologies with the existing energy infrastructure.
The state's public research and higher education institutions are encouraged to collaborate to establish a regional energy research and education partnership for the production of renewable energy and products, including hydrogen, fuel cells, and related technologies. The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is encouraged to develop a fuel cell curriculum pilot program.
(Reference Minnesota Statutes 216B.811 to 216B.815)
Alternative Fuel Use and Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Acquisition Requirements
State agencies are required to use alternative fuels, including B20-B100 biodiesel blends, compressed or liquefied natural gas, E70-E100 ethanol blends, hydrogen, or liquefied petroleum gas, to operate state motor vehicles if the clean fuels are reasonably available at comparable costs to conventional fuels and are compatible with the intended use of the motor vehicle. Additionally, state agencies are required to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, which include those capable of being powered by the fuels listed above or motor vehicles powered by electricity or by a combination of electricity and liquid fuel, if such a motor vehicle is reasonably available at comparable costs to other vehicles and if the vehicle is capable of carrying out the purpose for which it is purchased. (Reference Minnesota Statutes 16C.135)
State Agency Energy Plan and Vehicle Acquisition Priorities
State agencies are required to use alternative fuels, including B20-B100 biodiesel blends, compressed or liquefied natural gas, E70-E100 ethanol blends, hydrogen, or liquefied petroleum gas, to operate state motor vehicles if the clean fuels are reasonably available at comparable costs to conventional fuels and are compatible with the intended use of the motor vehicle. Additionally, state agencies are required to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, which include those capable of being powered by the fuels listed above or motor vehicles powered by electricity or by a combination of electricity and liquid fuel, if such a motor vehicle is reasonably available at comparable costs to other vehicles and if the vehicle is capable of carrying out the purpose for which it is purchased. (Reference Minnesota Statutes 16C.135)
