Transcript Highlights:

• solar energy systems and wind energy solar energy systems and wind energy conversion<00:08:27.919
• Wind energy conversion systems include any device which converts wind energy from a usable form of energy
• forms of usable energy like electricity. forms of usable energy like electricity.
• for the solar energy systems exemption. for the solar energy systems exemption.
• clean energy credits, and federal grants under the Rural Energy for America program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:25.680> to it, to provide thermal energy to it, to provide thermal energy to buildings
• it just makes sense to reuse heat energy it just makes sense to reuse heat energy that<00:01:34.840
• > treated<00:02:04.200> wastewater thermal energy in the treated wastewater thermal energy
• We develop and operate district energy systems and thermal energy networks across the United States.
• president and CEO with Evergreen Energy. president and CEO with Evergreen Energy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Energy Alley is about developing a kind of Silicon Valley of clean energy in Minnesota.
• We are leading in deploying clean energy in Minnesota, so let's capitalize on that to create an energy
• in deploying clean energy in Minnesota in deploying clean energy in Minnesota so<00:01:14.520>
• safe reliable and affordable Energy safe reliable and affordable Energy Future<00:03:06.200>
• <00:10:10.640> alley so grateful to Minnesota Energy alley so grateful to Minnesota Energy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It notes uh energy efficiency. embracing um distributed energy embracing um distributed energy resources
• It notes uh energy efficiency.
• energy within one year. energy within one year. Sound<00:32:51.360> right?
• Defining the Clean Energy and Department of Energy 10-year state energy strategy, including the technology
• <01:03:23.039> me,<01:03:23.200> is energy or clean energy, excuse me, is energy or

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They want to have more control of their energy bill, and they want to lower their energy bill.
• They want to have more control of their energy bill, and they want to lower their energy bill.
• Um, it also makes clean energy more affordable and approachable.
• lives and the ability to, you know, reduce their energy bills.
• affordable energy resilience. affordable energy resilience.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an announcement and support event for a Minnesota plug-in solar bill led by Rep. Larry Craft and Sen. Rob Coop. Craft described plug-in solar as a way to expand access to affordable solar for renters, people with shaded or unsuitable roofs, and others who cannot install traditional rooftop systems. He said the bill would define plug-in solar devices as up to 1,200 watts, allow storage, require certification to UL 3700 safety standards, and exempt these devices from utility interconnection agreements and submetering requirements. Sen. Coop said he was excited to sign on after hearing from a constituent interested in deck solar and after learning Craft already had a bill. He framed the proposal as both an affordability measure and a way to democratize solar access, especially for lower-income households and apartment residents. Supporters including Bobby King of Solar United Neighbors and Patty O'Keefe of Vote Solar said interest in plug-in solar is statewide, the policy would lower barriers and energy bills, and the systems are simple, safe, and well-suited to small spaces like balconies, decks, patios, and yards. John Gouki, an electrician from Duluth, submitted a statement supporting the bill on safety and resilience grounds, saying 1,200 watts is a safe limit for UL-listed plug-in solar and that the systems can provide backup power while reducing grid consumption. Craft and Coop also pointed to examples from other places, including Utah and Germany, as evidence that the technology is already spreading. The event ended with expressions of support and enthusiasm for moving the bill forward; no vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy was, uh, I served on energy for a number of years, and it's one of the most interesting committees
• Senator Pratt, welcome to the Energy Senator Pratt, welcome to the Energy Committee.<00:04:10.239
• providing renewable base load energy. providing renewable base load energy.
• Fresh Energy is a 30-year-old Energy.
• communities, energy, jobs, and industry. communities, energy, jobs, and industry.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it is clean energy. I think it is clean energy. It can't be used.
• AB 1577 requires data centers to report various energy use statistics to the Energy Commission on a regular
• Mandy Isaacs Lee, on behalf of Ava Community Energy.
• So when I looked at nuclear energy, both on the energy side and the waste side, I was really surprised
• So when I looked at nuclear energy, both on the energy side and the waste side, I was really surprised

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a renewable energy portfolio standard by the 2045 date, and we need to look at all forms of viable energy
• > energy<00:01:34.280> portfolio<00:01:34.920> standard have renewable energy portfolio
• Maria Tomy, State Energy Office.
• Our state, for whatever reason, is not taking to clean firm energy as an energy plant at all.
• him can I support that waste to energy him can I support that waste to energy plan<00:47:34.000>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Geothermal energy debate program.
• Co-chair Switzinski, that is Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy is there, okay.
• Koto Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of RAR Corp, and I also serve as the President of Koto Energy
• spent on energy.
• The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, a nonprofit research organization, researched energy

Transcript Highlights:

• systems as a primary source of energy.
• with any renewable energy that they want to use.
• But we can now also say that clean energy is cheaper than conventional sources of energy.
• We talk about the price of energy, and you were talking about the price of energy set by gas.
• We hear a lot about renewable energy driving up the cost. Renewable energy is so expensive.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote. The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved. Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The world leader in energy.
• Geothermal energy is a unique energy source. Because it's dispatchable, right?
• Geothermal energy is the heat and energy which emanates from the Earth's core.
• This energy resource will perform well, right, because it's underground producing. Uh, energy.
• the Texas Energy Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• in a clean energy economy.
• And the first speaker I have is the Department of Energy Resources.
• in a clean energy economy.
• And to ...bring more energy into Massachusetts.
• Our mission is to reduce the soft costs of the clean energy transition so that clean energy is more affordable

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 2 is the energy bill.
• Senate File Number 2, an act relating to energy, appropriating and transferring money for energy and
• <00:03:04.560> assistance energy assist the home energy assistance energy assist the home
• However, for my fourth energy budget, this is the best energy bill I've ever seen.
• safe efficient energy in Minnesota. safe efficient energy in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to produce energy from our food waste. to produce energy from our food waste.
• You're producing energy from those waste energy facilities, but that costs you money.
• You're producing energy from those waste energy facilities, but that costs you money.
• still need waste energy facilities. still need waste energy facilities.
• Energy. How about you? It's all right. Energy. How about you? It's all right.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bipartisan energy efficiency programs. bipartisan energy efficiency programs.
• usage and energy costs.
• <00:55:25.440> Um, their energy usage and energy costs.
• Um, their energy usage and energy costs.
• The electric energy resources.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to choose from to source my energy.
• from Energy and Policy Institute.
• I'm Jim Pearson with Xcel Energy.
• live without energy, um, in today's age. live without energy, um, in today's age.
• have connection to my energy supply. have connection to my energy supply. Right?

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 76, as amended by the adopted A1 amendment, and the chair moved the bill to be re-referred to the general register. The bill would limit the amount investor-owned utilities can charge ratepayers for executive compensation, capping recoverable pay for the top 10 executives at the governor’s salary. Representative Greenman argued the measure would protect customers from paying for lavish executive pay and said it would not affect what executives are paid, only what can be recovered from ratepayers. She cited recent Public Utilities Commission action and ongoing rate cases as evidence the issue is real and recurring. Supportive testimony came from a Minneapolis resident describing financial hardship and rising utility bills, a local worker who said customers have no choice of utility provider and should not fund monopoly executive pay, and advocates from the Energy and Policy Institute and Utility Reform Now, who said ratepayers should not subsidize excessive compensation and that the bill is a targeted reform. Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill’s premise by defending the current regulatory process. Their representatives said the PUC already reviews executive compensation in rate cases, generally allows only limited recovery, and has used that process for decades. Xcel also emphasized its affordability programs and said executives help secure savings and investments for customers. Members discussed whether the legislature should set a bright-line rule or leave the issue to the PUC. Representative Greenman said the bill is needed because the PUC process can take years and the legislature should establish a clear standard for all investor-owned utilities. Some members supported the bill as a response to an affordability crisis and the lack of consumer choice, while others said the legislature should focus on broader energy-cost issues and existing regulatory tools. The committee did not take a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was moved for re-referral to the general register.

Transcript Highlights:

• that reduces the energy you consume, but you're charged for having the most efficient energy system
• that reduces the energy you consume, but you're charged for having the most efficient energy system
• that reduces the energy you consume, but you're charged for having the most efficient energy system
• energy resources.
• energy producers and Not Just Energy energy producers and Not Just Energy consumers<01:03:43.559

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission at the Energy Authority is to advance Wyoming energy and natural resources.
• <00:03:22.400> He done around energy dominance. He done around energy dominance.
• mineral and and energy source as well. mineral and and energy source as well.
• I'd touch on the energy matching funds. I'd touch on the energy matching funds.
• That was the only energy fund.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Glick from the State Energy Office.
• <00:05:09.600> office Hawaii island and uh the energy office Hawaii island and uh the energy
• <00:05:20.319> so resource base of geothermal energy so resource base of geothermal energy
• that we can become greater energy that we can become greater energy self-sufficient<00:05:23.759
• House Bill 350 HD2 relating to energy House Bill 350 HD2 relating to energy first<00:13:25.320><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several energy- and environment-related measures. HB 242 HD1 on electric vehicle batteries drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, SERFCO, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation; the Energy Office suggested a broader working group covering all lithium-ion batteries, and members later adopted amendments including a date change and revised timing language. HB 751 HD2 on statewide organic waste reduction and diversion received mixed testimony, with the Department of Health opposing it over concerns about compostable food packaging and incomplete testing data; the committee nonetheless moved the bill forward with amendments removing compostable food packaging from the definition of organic waste and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committees also considered HB 1020 HD1 on a statewide program to characterize carbon sequestration potential and underground water resources. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office and Ulupono supported the measure as part of a broader geothermal and energy security effort, while members raised concerns about overlapping roles between agencies and the need for a single coordinated voice. The committee ultimately amended the bill to place DBEDT in charge, with technical changes, and passed it. In a separate portion of the hearing, HB 350 HD2 on energy was heard with support from the State Energy Office, industry, and advocacy groups; opponents argued the existing solar water heater law is working and that variances already allow flexibility. The committee passed HB 350 unamended. Later, the committee heard HB 977 HD1 on energy financing, HB 1017 HD1 on the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, and HB 1406 HD1 on government procedures. HB 977 received support from the Public Utilities Commission, DCCA, and others and was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. HB 1017, which would repeal the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, and HB 1051, which sets energy efficiency benchmarks, were both passed unamended. HB 1406, a task force bill aimed at improving permitting and regulatory processes, was amended to add a Senate representative, include the State Energy Office, make the bill effective on approval, and note prior funding requests in the committee report; it was then adopted. Votes were recorded on each measure, with some members excused and HB 751 drawing one no vote from Senator Rhoads.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent the governor-designated energy officials. Association of State Energy Officials.
• Each state has a state energy office.
• The Commission's Energy Facility Siting Act may represent The Commission's Energy Facility Siting Act
• The Commission's Energy Facility Citing Act may represent, The Commission's Energy Facility Citing Act
• , oil and gas, and lignite energy.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.