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Support solar for schools in MN bonding bill




Wouldn't it be great to see solar panels on school buildings across Minnesota!? Please take the actions described below and maybe solar panels on schools will be part of our future. This a recommended action from MN350.org. - Tim


What Is It?
HF 3675/SF 3129 was introduced by Jean Wagenuis. It gives $4 million for public schools to add solar to their buildings. Half of this money is set to go to the Twin Cities area and the other half to greater Minnesota. Schools may apply for up to 95% of the solar project to be funded by this bill!
Minnesota State Capitol from Wikipedia


The Bonding Bill
The process of this bill is a little different as it would be included in the bonding bill if approved. Every two years, the Minnesota legislature constructs a bonding bill, which is used to fund state projects. Basically, people apply for state funding and if their application is approved, the project is funded by the bonding bill. (https://tinyurl.com/jbjv7hd for more info.) Since HF 3975/SF 3129 won’t be voted on as an individual bill, we want to make sure it is included in the bonding bill.

The Bill’s Status and What You Can Do
Currently, the bill has been “laid over” for consideration to be added to the bonding bill. Unfortunately, this means that individual representatives don’t have much power over whether or not it gets included in the bonding bill. However, we can still ask our representatives to support it! If you live in Rep Pat Garofalo’s or Sen David Senjem’s districts, this is particularly important. If you have friends and/or family who live in those districts, forward them this email! Scripts and bill language are attached.

In other exciting news, the senate made some positive amendments regarding the Xcel bill we sent you an emergency action about a few weeks ago. It still heavily favors Xcel. It passed committee on Tuesday (3/27) so please continue to push against SF3504!

Script

Representative/Senator _____, I strongly urge you to support HF 3675/SF 3129 being added to the bonding bill. Solar energy is very important to the future of Minnesota: it will provide jobs and offer significant energy savings to our schools. It could also be a great on-site example for educators! Please urge your colleague, Representative Pat Garofalo /Senator David Senjem, to include HF 3675/SF 3129 in the bonding bill.  

If your rep is a climate champion, include the following:

This will also help us reach our goals regarding carbon emissions and help to reduce the impact of climate change.

If you are calling your  state representative, ask them to become an author of this bill to show their support. No need to add this bit for state sentators.

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