SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said today the Senate passed Senator Nick Frentz’s (DFL-North Mankato) transformational bill to unlock billions in federal infrastructure grants for clean and renewable energy projects across Minnesota.
Majority Leader Dziedzic said the bill will create a $115 million competitiveness fund within the Department of Commerce. The money will provide the required state matching funds to help Minnesota compete for billions of dollars in federal grants for energy Infrastructure and strengthening the state’s electric grid.
“The Senate today passed Senator Nick Frentz’s competitiveness fund bill that will transform our state’s energy sector by allowing state, local and tribal governments as well as electric cooperatives and utilities to access billions of dollars in grant funding for new energy infrastructure,” said Majority Leader Dziedzic. “These funds will create jobs and help ensure we continue our state’s move toward a clean energy future.”
“The State Competitiveness Fund combines more than $100 million in state funding with billions of dollars in federal matching grants,” said chief author Sen. Frentz. “We want Minnesota to compete effectively and fiercely for federal dollars. This funding would be a revolutionary investment for our state, our local units of government, Tribes, higher education institutions, rural cooperatives and electric utilities. With this legislation, we continue to drive Minnesota’s energy economy toward a cleaner, more responsible future. I look forward to seeing the State Competitiveness Fund legislation reach Governor Walz’s desk and be signed into law as soon as possible.”
The measure has already passed the Minnesota House and will now be sent to the Governor who is expected to sign it into law.
###
Learn more about Sen. Dziedzic.
Read more news from Sen. Dziedzic.
