|
US. Senator Amy Klobuchar visits with Lynn Hunt of Hunt Utilities Group. Photo by Kelly Virden
|
|
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., made a stop in Pine River, Dec. 3, to hear about renewable energy from locals passionate about the environment: individuals from the separate organizations: Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) and Hunt Utilities Group (HUG).
Klobuchar's 17-county tour gathered input from local business leaders in preparation for work at the capitol on a national economic recovery plan - including an emphasis on renewable energy.
Minnesota's Governor Tim Pawlenty has already emphasized the importance of green jobs in the state through a recent Green Jobs Investment Initiative unveiled last month that will provide incentives to businesses focused on energy efficiency, conservation and emissions reductions.
And, a Green Jobs Task Force - co-chaired by Minnesota legislators - has been established to advise the governor on creation and expansion of green jobs in the state.
With RREAL's focus on providing solar heat for low-income families and HUG's focus on sustainable living and sustainable building practices, Klobuchar's visit offered her the opportunity to hear the firsthand challenges met by organizations focusing in renewable energy.
One of the topics addressed was federal tax credits for energy efficiency - and the lack of tax credits for homeowners utilizing solar air heat. There are tax credits available for qualified solar water heating and photovoltaic systems through 2016.
Solar water heaters would have to generate at least 50 percent of the home's hot water needs in order to qualify for a tax credit, according to Energy Star, through the U.S. Department of Energy.
"A typical solar water heating system in Minnesota can provide 50 to 75 percent of the total energy required for domestic hot water," according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security.
The solar air heat collectors RREAL installs typically provide between 1/5 to 1/4th of a home's total space heating needs.
RREAL employees spent 18 months designing their own Solar Air Heat Collectors and are waiting for the certification through the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC). So far they've been waiting 12 months.
The SRCC recognizes two testing laboratories in their certification process: one in Ontario, Canada; the other in Cocoa, Fla. Panels must be shipped there for testing prior to certification. But with only two testing locations, there is a backlog of panels waiting for certification.
HUG and RREAL representatives asked Klobuchar to help remove some of the roadblocks in the certification process while still keeping reasonable and prudent regulations.
They asked her to examine the length of the certification process, the continued postponement of certification and the limited testing solar facilities available.
Another topic of discussion was the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) - federal funds that are administered through the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
The 2005 Energy Policy Act says that the Secretary of Commerce must report to Congress on the use of renewable fuels in providing assistance under LiHEAP.
RREAL representatives hope that the U.S. Congress will create a mandatory avenue for use of renewable fuels for LiHEAP and specific appropriations for the program.
