Video & Transcript Research : 'Environmental Protection Agency'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/27/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- So it would be funds that are collected in the environmental fund and reimbursed to the agency for doing
- The funds are collected in the environmental fund and reimbursed to the agency for doing the work that
- We also work with various joint powers organizations, state and federal agencies, agricultural and environmental
- <01:32:33.000>
Agricultural <01:32:34.000>and <01:32:34.239>environmental agencies - Agricultural and environmental agencies Agricultural and environmental Nos<01:32:36.360>
and <
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Safe Water Drinking Revolving Fund.
- It's from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Safe Water Drinking Revolving Fund.
- And the state telling the feds, the Environmental Protection Agency, that we have more needs so you can
- It's from the Environmental Protection Agency.” “Thank you for that clarity.
- As the need grows, and LDH makes application to the Environmental Protection Agency, you can grow the
Summary:
The committee met on May 13 and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 89, which asks the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to study, with the Louisiana State Museum and the World War II Museum, the feasibility of a Louisiana Maneuvers museum and trail. Representative Owens described the historical significance of the Louisiana Maneuvers and said the proposal would help preserve and teach that history. The committee moved HCR 89 favorably to the floor without objection.
The committee then heard House Resolution 179, which would create a study of neighborhood crime prevention and security districts and their effectiveness in reducing crime. Representative Marcel said the resolution was prompted by questions about crime data and district performance, while several members raised concerns about the number of study groups and the breadth of a statewide review. Other members supported the idea as a way to gather data on what works, including cameras and other security measures. The resolution was moved favorably to the floor.
Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 228, a constitutional amendment to allow public funds to be used to replace lead and copper drinking water service lines on private property, and Senate Bill 268, the companion implementing bill that sets out the notice and replacement process. Paul Rainwater explained that the program would use EPA and state revolving-fund money, with work focused on the line from the meter to the shutoff valve, and that the city would inventory affected homes, give notice, and then proceed with replacement. Members asked about homeowner rights, emergency entry, contractor accountability, and whether the program could expand beyond New Orleans; Rainwater said he would return with more detail on the objection/emergency process. Both SB 228, as amended, and SB 268 were reported favorably.
The committee also advanced Senate Bill 283, which creates the Boulevard at Harding Area Special District in Baton Rouge to encourage development near Southern University, and two resolutions: House Resolution 225, urging agencies and local governments in Ouachita Parish to study solid waste, debris removal, and disaster resilience services, and House Resolution 223, urging Shreveport and partners to advance the Southern Soul City Initiative. All were moved favorably to the floor, and the meeting ended with members and the chair thanking staff and noting it was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Wed May 27, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our mission as an agency is to protect and manage the waters of Hawaii.
- Um, so as far as our agency goes, we have three branches: our planning branch, stream protection and
- At the county level, it’s often the county housing agencies, as well as the departments of environmental
- So an environmental review process takes An environmental review process takes three years.
- You might have to have a lot of environmental protections.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Special Committee on Red Hill Info Briefing - Mon Jul 14, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Environmental Protection Agency has been issuing guidance for PAS and more recently finalizing some
- regulations under various environmental protection laws.
- The<00:22:26.799>
Environmental <00:22:27.360>Protection <00:22:27.919>Agency <00 - :22:28.480>
has The Environmental Protection Agency has The Environmental Protection Agency has - <00:22:36.080>
protection under various environmental protection under various environmental
Summary:
The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings.
For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations.
NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27.
The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Natural Resources and Water
Transcript Highlights:
- Good afternoon, Alex Lumer, on behalf of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition.
- Good afternoon, Alex Lumer, on behalf of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition, Wildlife
- Conservation Network, San Diego 350, Green Foothills, Defenders of Wildlife, the Environmental Protection
- for a species that our community values and has long protected.
- SB 1062 keeps strong protections in place while giving public agencies a clear lawful way to negotiate
Summary:
The committee heard several natural resources bills, with most testimony focused on balancing conservation goals with transportation, utility, and local property impacts. SB 1393 by Senator McGuire updated Fish and Game Code provisions for steelhead trout and the Dungeness crab fishery, extending and refining management programs and vessel transit rules in closed crab areas. Supporters from The Nature Conservancy and Trout Unlimited said the bill would implement longstanding task force recommendations, preserve a valuable fishery, and improve the steelhead report card program; there was no opposition, and the bill was moved out on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations as amended.
SB 1250 by Senator Cortese would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning, including performance targets, coordination with Fish and Wildlife, and recognition of crossings, culverts, and fencing as transportation assets. Support came from a broad coalition of conservation, animal welfare, open space, and local government groups, who argued the bill would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve public safety, and save money by integrating projects into routine maintenance. The California Building Industry Association said it would move to neutral after amendments clarifying the bill would not create exactions or apply to private property; the bill was approved 4-0 to Appropriations after those amendments were discussed.
Senator Jones presented SB 1212 to repeal California’s ban on kangaroo products, arguing kangaroo harvest in Australia is tightly regulated, does not increase killing, and would restore consumer choice and business opportunities in California. Opponents, including Humane World for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and others, said the commercial kangaroo industry is cruel, raises animal welfare and public health concerns, and should remain barred. The bill was not advanced during the portion of the transcript provided.
Senator Gonzalez presented SB 1268 to codify the state’s Outdoors for All initiative, which aims to expand equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation, especially in underserved communities. Supporters said many Californians lack nearby park access and that the initiative links outdoor equity with public health, climate resilience, and biodiversity. The committee chair expressed strong support; the bill was voted 3-1 to Appropriations, with Senator Grove voting no.
Senator Ochoa Bogh presented three bills concerning the Western Joshua tree. SB 1061 would allow limited relocation of trees without triggering the same permitting burden as removal; SB 1062 would require Fish and Wildlife to consider proportionate, tiered mitigation fees for public utilities and infrastructure; and SB 1063 would create an expedited, fee-free pathway for certain residential utility, safety, and wildfire-hardening projects. Supporters from water agencies, local governments, and industry said the current framework imposes heavy costs on desert residents and ratepayers, while opponents argued the species still needs protection and that existing administrative processes can address fee and permitting concerns. SB 1061 and SB 1062 were each moved forward on 2-0 and 3-0 votes respectively, and SB 1063 was also advanced on a 3-0 vote, with the committee noting ongoing administrative fee and permitting reforms at Fish and Wildlife.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee on Environmental Regulation HB 3873 by Johnson Earling, the creation of additional judicial
- HB 3893 by Reynolds relating to the protection of whistleblowers' accountability in public and private
- HB 4026 by Aristovala relates to the requirement of the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality to
- Quality for the Committee on Environmental Regulation.
- HB 4058 by Vandiver ruling to the self-settled as to asset protection Trust refer the subcommittee on
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- She was the first felony prosecutor against domestic violence. and working to protect women.
- HB number 908 by Spillover relating to the reporting by law enforcement agencies of missing children
- And plans for certain emission events or for the committee on environmental regulation It's before 483
- HB 4583 by Slauson, relating to the dissolution of public utility agency, referred to the Committee on
- Item 91 by Schaffner relating to the waiver of certain minimum standards of law enforcement agencies
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has the Lakes Management and Protection Program
- The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has the Lakes Management and Protection Program
- The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has the Lakes Management and Protection Program
- The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has the Lakes Management and Protection Program
- The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has the Lakes Management and Protection Program
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber Fri May 8, 2026, 10:00AM HST - Day 58
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- protection.
- Given the sad state of federal environmental protection, we must all be concerned about the slippery
- protection laws.
- And I'd like to adopt the words of the chair of environmental energy and environmental protection as
- It protects student athletes. It protects the university.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 4/7/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the change items for the protection the change items for the protection services<00:05:20.320>
total change items for protection total change items for protection services<00:07:35.840>is - amount in 2829 so that that uh agency amount in 2829 so that that uh agency remains<00:13:30.240
- Subdivision four is for agency 5th.
- <00:24:20.159>
revolving to the A and environmental revolving to the A and environmental revolving
Bills:
HF2446
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WTL Public Hearing 04-11-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- >
planner <00:04:11.599>as background in environmental planner as background in environmental - Coo here to uh represent the protect Coo here to uh represent the protect cahoo.<00:19:00.320>
- Um but I'm here in my the protect Ohana.
traditional <00:29:52.960>and Ensure the protection of traditional and Ensure the protection- the ʻāina and to protect the ʻāina and vi.
Summary:
The Water and Land Committee held a hearing on several governor’s messages for confirmation to land and water-related boards and commissions. The first item was GM 745, confirming Nor Abbott to a second term on the Natural Area Reserves System Commission through June 30, 2029. DLNR and other supporters submitted testimony, and Abbott said his focus has been on watching for potential impacts to marine reserves from nearby land activity and helping ensure those impacts are avoided, minimized, or mitigated through a thorough process.
The committee then took up GM 783 and GM 762, both involving the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. Fenton Pang and Jensen Chop were nominated for terms ending June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029, respectively. Multiple individuals and organizations testified in strong support, including representatives of civic clubs, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, and other community groups. Testimony emphasized Pang’s scientific background, cultural values, humility, and service, and described Chop as a long-time Kahoʻolawe steward with strong ties to restoration work and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Chop said his goal is to help more people build a connection to ʻāina and to continue restoration and cultural education efforts on Kahoʻolawe.
The final major item was GM 770, confirming Hannah Kihalani Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management through June 30, 2028. DLNR strongly supported her nomination, describing her as a cultural expert and advocate who can ensure indigenous knowledge is meaningfully included in water policy. Testimony from community members, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and others highlighted her experience, integrity, and role in protecting customary and traditional water rights, especially for place-based and Native Hawaiian communities. Supporters also said her appointment was important given current water and climate challenges. The chair indicated the committee would proceed to decision-making after the hearing, and no opposition was noted in the testimony summarized here.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 38th Legislative Day Jun 18th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Protecting public safety.
- Protection Fund.
- Mental Protection Fund.
- The Community Environmental Protection Fund was created by the General Assembly in 2004 and is funded
- Does it also include federal agencies as well?
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector.
The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth.
Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and sealed in ways that protect the groundwater and protect the environment.
- and sealed in ways that protect the groundwater and protect the environment.
- and sealed in ways that protect the groundwater and protect the environment.
- <00:48:25.599>
health someone for my environmental health someone for my environmental health - <00:50:51.119>
the Commissioners has been to protect the Commissioners has been to protect
Summary:
The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities.
Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years.
MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Environmental caucus of the you.
- ,<00:23:12.960>
I Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, I Hawaii Emergency Management Agency - may be violations of federal laws and environmental protections, the leases still weren’t terminated
- In terms of the State of Hawaii as a whole, like other agencies might have an issue with environmental
- c> with<00:56:29.960>
environmental an issue um with environmental an issue um with environmental
Summary:
The House Committee on Water and Land met on March 25, 2025, and first announced it had deleted HCR 3 and HCR 4567 from the agenda pending similar Senate measures. It then heard HR 35/HCR 40, which urges DLNR and other state agencies to work with community groups to co-steward community forests on public lands. DLNR’s urban and community forester testified in strong support, and several organizations and individuals submitted support; there were no questions or opposition noted.
The committee next heard HCR 64, asking OPSD to convene a working group on establishing and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. OPSD and the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience supported the resolution and suggested friendly amendments, including replacing county civil defense representatives with mayors or their designees and allowing subject-matter experts to serve. Members questioned the office’s role, funding, and relationship to other resilience and emergency management offices, and the witness explained it was created after the Maui wildfires to coordinate long-term recovery, with special-project funding and a focus distinct from response and mental health functions.
The committee also heard HR 59/HCR 65 on coordinating concurrent reviews of general plan, district boundary, and zoning amendments during land reclassification. OPSD testified with comments and warned that the proposal could facilitate spot zoning if individual landowners could use the concurrent process, recommending it be limited to county-initiated actions. A related discussion followed on HR 118/HCR 122, which would create a collaborative working group on surveying and protecting iwi kūpuna and related coastal erosion issues; DNR, OHA, and others supported it with suggested additions, and testimony emphasized cultural sensitivity and community-specific decision-making. Members asked about burial practices and a recent court ruling, and witnesses said the working group could help guide broader policy and communication.
Finally, the committee heard HR 145/HCR 151, requesting DLNR to report on its lease enforcement process and procedures. DLNR said it was recruiting staff to conduct lease inspections but had difficulty filling positions due to compensation, and explained that new or extended leases can include inspection requirements, while retroactive cost-shifting would raise contractual issues. Members asked for information on lease renewal timelines and whether inspection provisions were being added to renewals; DLNR said those decisions are made in public sunshine meetings and agreed to provide additional information. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/11/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- So currently, the existing penalty provision in the Shoreland Protection Act does not adequately address
- as currently written, we can only pursue an administrative fine or penalty under the Shoreland Protection
- Act if there is a failure to restore the site within a year after the agency has provided notice of
- provision in the Shoreland protection provision in the Shoreland protection act<00:02:20.480>
- appropriately cooperates with the agency appropriately cooperates with the agency to<00:03:35.159
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WTL-HWN-HOU Public Hearing 01-29-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- years have stood firm in protecting years have stood firm in protecting Kakak<00:10:03.440>
Makai - <00:51:31.960>
impact potential uh environmental impact potential uh environmental impact - is done including an environmental is done including an environmental impact impact impact statement
- This is the testimony of the agency, Senator. You need to say “we” or “the agency,” not “I.”
- Master planning and environmental Master planning and environmental analysis<02:27:49.120>
OHA
Summary:
The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted.
OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important.
A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/05/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- rights and environmental justice.
- rights and environmental justice.
- <00:39:34.520>
you contracted with an outside agency you contracted with an outside agency - be contracting with an outside agency be contracting with an outside agency then<00:39:55.680>
- , and communities of color, by ensuring equitable health care, protecting communities from environmental
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Beginning on page 2 of our handout, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's mission is to protect
- Remarks for agency Madam Chair.
- The agency was founded in 1893 with the mission to protect the health and productivity of Texas livestock
- Agency.
- This agency plays a critical role in protecting not only the animals but also the wildlife.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- . agencies. agencies.
- Are there agencies in West Virginia.
- c> the<00:57:54.800>
coal Senate Bill 89 protects the coal Senate Bill 89 protects the coal - and Environmental Cabinet. and Environmental Cabinet.
- try to find common ground on protection try to find common ground on protection of<01:09:09.200>
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28
Introduction of Guests 00:02:08
American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31
SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55
SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky.
Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky.
Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- remediation benchmarks for the Committee on Environmental Regulation, HB 2446 by Dunn-Roehling. to the
- employees of an agency, referred the Committee of Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans.
- Refer to the Committee on Environmental... environmental regulation.
- HB 2570 by Bryant relating to the extreme risk protective orders and certain other protective orders
- We're proposing a constitutional amendment for protecting children.