Bill would fund demonstration project to make mining trucks electric at Minntac

Lawmakers are considering a bill to fund a demonstration project that would make mining trucks electric.

At a hearing last week, stakeholders explained what the project would mean.

The $10 million dollars from the general fund would leverage $10 million from the federal government. Private companies would invest another $5 million.

The project would include transitioning current trucks to run on an electric trolley system.

Komatsu, U.S. Steel, Minnesota Power/Allete, and RMS are all working together on this demonstration proposal.

Companies in Canada and Sweden are already using electric trolley system.

The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.