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HF 2317

Wastewater treatment facility heat capture pilot program funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patty Acomb and 4 co-sponsors

Funding and run a pilot to capture heat from wastewater plants to boost energy efficiency, reduce costs, and decarbonize the sector.

Author added Xiong
#wasteandwastemanagement
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2317

Summary of HF 2317 (2025-2026) – Wastewater Treatment Facility Heat Capture Pilot Program Funding Provided, and Money Appropriated

Purpose and intent

HF 2317 establishes funding for a pilot program aimed at capturing heat from wastewater treatment facilities. The bill authorizes state money to support the design, piloting, and evaluation of heat capture technologies at wastewater treatment plants, with the goal of improving energy efficiency, reducing operating costs, and advancing decarbonization in the wastewater sector.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a wastewater heat capture pilot program: The bill outlines the establishment of a pilot program to test and demonstrate heat capture at wastewater treatment facilities. The emphasis is on reclaiming thermal energy contained in wastewater streams.

  • Funding authorization and appropriation:

    • The bill provides for state funding to support the pilot program. This includes appropriations to cover activities such as project planning, technology deployment, performance monitoring, and evaluation.
    • Specific dollar amounts, funding sources, and allocation details would typically be specified in the enacted version or appropriations section. (Note: The summary reflects the bill’s intent to provide financial support for a pilot program and related activities.)

  • Program scope and activities:

    • Eligible activities likely include engineering assessments, procurement and installation of heat capture equipment, integration with existing plant systems, data collection, and performance measurement.
    • Evaluation components may cover energy savings, cost-benefit analyses, reliability, and potential for scaling up to additional facilities.

  • Duration and milestones:

    • The bill specifies that the program is a pilot, implying a defined time frame for implementation, assessment, and reporting. Specific milestones (e.g., startup date, interim evaluations, final report) would be detailed in the bill’s text or the accompanying fiscal notes.

  • Administration and oversight:

    • The program would be administered by a state agency or department responsible for environmental resources or energy policy (consistent with Minnesota practice for similar programs).
    • There would be reporting requirements to lawmakers on program progress, outcomes, and any recommendations for expansion or continuation.

Affected entities

  • Wastewater treatment facilities in Minnesota that opt to participate in the pilot program.
  • State agencies responsible for environment, energy, and finance who administer funding, oversight, and evaluation.
  • Local governments and utilities operating wastewater infrastructure, which may participate through partnerships or matching requirements, depending on program design.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred: HF 2317 was introduced and referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy committee (March 13, 2025).
  • Committee actions: The bill's journey included action on recall and re-referral by the Energy Finance and Policy committee (March 27, 2025).
  • Author and sponsor notes:
    • Author: Originally introduced with multiple co-authors; subsequent actions show involvement by additional lawmakers (Xiong added as author on March 25, 2026; co-sponsors include Athena Hollins, Larry Kraft, Patty Acomb, Kari Rehrauer, Kristi Pursell).
  • Next steps: As with any bill, passage would require committee approval, floor votes in both chambers, and reconciliation with the Senate version if applicable, followed by governor action.

Potential impact

  • Energy efficiency and cost savings: By capturing heat from wastewater, facilities may reduce heating costs and overall energy use.
  • Emissions reduction: Operating more efficiently can lower greenhouse gas emissions from treatment plants.
  • Scalability: A successful pilot could justify expansion to additional plants statewide, fostering broader adoption of heat-recovery technologies.
  • Economic considerations: Initial capital investments are needed for heat capture equipment; the pilot seeks to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and inform future budgeting.

This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose to fund and evaluate a wastewater heat capture pilot program and to appropriate state funds for these activities. For exact dollar figures, matching requirements, and detailed timelines, please refer to the enacted bill text and the related fiscal note.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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