Video & Transcript Research : 'cooling systems'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- and cooling.
- system.
- The third relevant sector here is natural gas systems, which includes leaks from the gas system and accounts
- One, residential heating and cooling, two, commercial industrial heating and cooling, and three, natural
- So we looked at their heating systems, their hot water systems, the way they cooked, dried their clothes
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations.
Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals.
Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We are an energy technology company focusing on groundwater-enabled geothermal heating and cooling systems
- require much less electricity than other types of HVAC systems when demand for heating and cooling is
- require much less electricity than other types of HVAC systems when demand for heating and cooling is
- system systems we don't have geothermal system systems we don't have a<00:19:01.600>
large <00 - <00:19:33.600>
we systems and G and Darcy systems we systems and G and Darcy systems we expect
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Energy panel considers bill to appropriate funds to Minnesota Energy Alley program, HF1013 3/18/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- with the rochester-based liquid cool with the rochester-based liquid cool Solutions<00:06:39.360
- <00:06:45.120>
they'll today flow environmental systems they'll today flow environmental systems - This heat pump can replace standard heating and cooling systems, thereby eliminating the need for chillers
- <00:09:03.800>
systems <00:09:04.720>thereby heating and cooling systems thereby heating - and cooling systems thereby eliminating<00:09:05.560>
the <00:09:05.680>need <00:09:05.839
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That water is recirculated in the system and that's what's used to cool the servers, to cool the equipment
- So it's not just a typical, like evaporative cooling system on a home.
- Witness: So you can have a closed loop system that is air cooled. If that makes sense.
- Representative Turner: Okay, so closed loop system could be water or air cooled. Witness: Correct.
- Crusoe uses a closed loop, non-evaporative cooling system.
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests.
The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers.
Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Ways & Means
Transcript Highlights:
- That water is recirculated in the system and that's what's used to cool the servers, to cool the equipment
- So it's not just a typical, like evaporative cooling system on a home.
- Skybox Representative: So you can have a closed loop system that is air cooled.
- Turner: Okay, so closed loop system could be water or air cooled. Skybox Representative: Correct.
- Scott: We employ leading-edge, closed-loop liquid cooling and chiller systems, dramatically reducing
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- He said AB 806 would provide mobile home park residents the right to install cooling systems within their
- is not currently true for cooling systems.
- He said AB 806 will protect residents by giving them the right to install cooling systems within their
- system in their own home and to provide cooling within existing enclosed common areas when feasible
- And that does not include the thousands of mobile homeowners who cannot afford their own cooling systems
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations.
Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations.
Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We are an energy technology company focusing on groundwater-enabled geothermal heating and cooling systems
- require much less electricity than other types of HVAC systems when demand for heating and cooling.
- HVAC system.
- Conventional fossil fuel-powered HVAC systems and DARCI systems we expect to last 50-plus years.
- performance of the system.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We also provide technical assistance to rural hospitals and health care systems.
- With proper bereavement training and the availability of cooling...
- The cooling device gave me time to hold my...
- Providing bereavement training and cooling devices...
- A regular bassinet, just with a little portable cooling system connected to it.
Bills:
HB18, HB742, HB754, HB1644, HB2187, HB1887, HB 1275, HB37, HB1503, HB1699, HB1700, HB2735, HB1741, HB1731, HB1675, HB18, HB37
Keywords:
rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That water is recirculated in the system and that's what's used to cool the servers, to cool the equipment
- So it's not just a typical evaporative cooling system like on a home.
- Eric: So you can have a closed loop system that is air cooled, if that makes sense.
- So a closed loop system could be water or air cooled? Eric: Correct. Right.
- We take that seriously and absolutely non-evaporative cooling system that we've discussed today.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So there are many different types of cooling methods, such as air cooling, free cooling, water cooling
- So there are many different type of cooling methods, such as air cooling, free cooling, water cooling
- I was curious about the closed-loop cooling system.
- I know that for the data center itself, Cooling system.
- So the closed-loop cooling system is really the water directly used to cool the computers.
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state.
The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases.
Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers.
The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So there are many different types of cooling methods, such as air cooling, free cooling, water cooling
- , immersion cooling, and traditional evaporative cooling.
- So there are many different type of cooling methods, such as air cooling, free cooling, water cooling
- I was curious about the closed-loop cooling system.
- So the closed-loop cooling system is really the water directly used to cool the computers.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HED/EDN Joint Info Briefing - Wed Jan 29, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So yes, AI was really cool.
- Like a kid sees you do cool stuff, and then because I'm doing cool stuff, the kids want to do cool stuff
- Like a kid sees you do cool stuff, and then because I'm doing cool stuff, the kids want to do cool stuff
- Like a kid sees you do cool stuff, and then because I'm doing cool stuff, the kids want to do cool stuff
- cool stuff the kids want to do cool cool stuff the kids want to do cool stuff<01:39:44.119>
so
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I am here in support of Bill S-2,600, an act requiring health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems
- Currently, scalp cooling systems are not required to be covered by insurance, resulting in significant
- systems.
- Scalp cooling gives patients a choice.
- My endocrine system was disrupted in utero.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a wide range of health insurance and public health bills, with most speakers focused on expanding coverage for specific treatments and services. Bills discussed included H. 1187/S. 792 on rehabilitation counselors, H. 1173/S. 692 on patient navigation, S. 2600 on scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, S. 2599 on medically necessary treatment for port wine birthmarks, H. 1164 on licensed educational psychologists for child and adolescent mental health services, S. 754/H. 1254 on autism diagnosis and treatment by nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists, S. 714/H. 1137 on infectious disease response and coverage, and S. 791 on making nature a prescriptive therapeutic intervention. Speakers generally argued these bills would improve access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and address gaps in current insurance reimbursement rules.
Testimony in support emphasized personal stories and clinical evidence. Cancer patients and providers described the benefits of patient navigation and scalp cooling for dignity and quality of life during treatment. Boston Children’s Hospital staff and families said port wine birthmark treatment is medically necessary, can prevent complications, and should not be denied as cosmetic. Rehabilitation counselors and school psychologists argued their services are effective, cost-saving, and underused because they cannot bill insurance. Autism advocates said current insurance statutes are outdated because nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists already provide evaluations and should be recognized for reimbursement to avoid delays in early intervention. Public health and GLAD Law testimony supported stronger infectious disease coverage to remove barriers to testing, treatment, and PrEP access.
The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 1172, a bill requiring insurance coverage for detransition-related care. Supporters said it would ensure coverage for medically necessary care for people who regret or reverse gender transition, while opponents argued it would legitimize anti-trans narratives or, conversely, that detransition care is needed because transition procedures can cause harm. The committee also heard strong support for S. 791 from advocates who described nature access as a health intervention that could help with trauma, anxiety, substance use recovery, and environmental justice, with claims that insurance coverage and reduced park fees would improve access. No votes were taken during the transcript, and the chair repeatedly thanked speakers and moved through the long list of public testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Defining “gross annual retail energy sales.” 3/5/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- out CPUs, change their cooling out CPUs, change their cooling approaches,<00:24:41.039>
all would ask them to use open water cooling would ask them to use open water cooling systems.<00:25- systems.
- If the ground or use open water system.
- It's, uh, water cooled or air cooled, or as you talk about, I'm not debating that.
Summary:
House File 3296, as amended, was heard in committee and laid over. The bill would extend an existing exemption in Minnesota’s energy conservation/efficiency program calculations so that certain data centers, like crypto-based data mining operations, would not be counted in a utility’s gross annual retail sales if the new load increases the utility’s base load by 40% or more. Representative Gilman and testifier David Meyer of Glenco Light and Power argued the change is needed because large data loads can make the 1.5% annual savings target effectively unattainable for smaller municipal utilities, and they said the added revenue from the facility has helped lower rates for other customers.
Ken Sulum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association supported the bill, describing it as narrowly drafted to address mid-sized data centers that do not fit other relief provisions but still create local utility problems. Sarah Wolf of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light opposed the exemption, arguing that energy efficiency remains important amid rising demand and grid stress from data centers, and that large users should continue contributing to efficiency efforts rather than being exempted.
Members raised questions about whether the facility had a long-term contract, whether the customer was helping lower rates, and how much savings were being passed on to ratepayers. Meyer said the customer had a three-year agreement extended another three years, the infrastructure costs were borne by the customer, and the facility’s revenue has allowed Glenco to reduce rates by about half a cent per kilowatt hour through a $40,000 monthly buy-down of its power cost adjustment. Some members expressed concern that data centers should continue to improve efficiency over time, while others noted the bill’s focus on smaller utilities facing disproportionate impacts.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 7th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This will have profound impacts on our natural systems, such as snowpack and rivers, and our human systems
- Or get to a cool location.
- So, the cooling systems that were spoken of that do not bring in outside air, are these geothermal?
- Yes, it is a high priority to get cooling systems, particularly for high-risk individuals.
- Systems that heat up sand.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Energy Development and Transmission Committee Jun 2nd, 2026 at 09:00 am
Energy Development and Transmission Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- If they pull water from the river, they use it in their cooling system, and then when they're done, they
- First off, I will say most of these systems in North Dakota are a closed-loop system.
- If they pull water from the river, they use it in their cooling system, and then when they're done, they
- For a water-cooled system for the power plant, 0.28 to 1.56 acre-feet per megawatt hour.
- Or the hybrid cooling system, which a lot of data centers may use as a hybrid approach to some of these
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee May 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- currently true for cooling systems.
- AB 806 will protect residents by providing them the right to install cooling systems within their homes
- But current law does not guarantee residents of mobile home parks the right to install cooling systems
- That does not include the thousands of mobile homeowners who cannot afford their own cooling systems.
- And further mandating the operation of an air conditioning system to cool an empty room just increases
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote.
AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion.
AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/05/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- >
buildings systems to heat and cool their buildings systems to heat and cool their buildings - <01:23:12.880>
for cooling systems have many benefits for cooling systems have many benefits - cooling than conventional HVAC systems cooling than conventional HVAC systems uh<01:23:38.000>
air cooling systems improves indoor air cooling systems improves indoor air quality<01:30:12.440- Ates heating and cooling systems it elim Ates heating and cooling systems it elim Ates natural<01
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Heat pumps deliver cooling as well as heating, and these days, without cooling in the summer, people
- heating and cooling systems for all the units, entirely powered by solar panels on the roof.
- heating and cooling systems for all the units entirely powered by solar panels on the roof.
- They produce heating and cooling in one system, do not require backup heat, and are not a burden to the
- Produce heating and cooling in one system do not require backup heat and are not a burden to the grid
Summary:
The hearing focused on several climate and utility-related bills, especially H. 3449/S. 2292 to expand the municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration program from 10 to 20 communities and related home rule petitions for Somerville and other municipalities. Witnesses from Somerville, Salem, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Wellesley, Watertown, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association argued that local governments should be allowed to opt into fossil fuel-free or net-zero building standards, citing climate goals, environmental justice concerns, housing production, and data showing all-electric construction can cost about the same as or less than mixed-fuel construction. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses for cost data and asked for written follow-up, while also discussing whether strong environmental standards affect housing supply; witnesses responded that the main housing constraints are financing and that they would provide more data from local projects and state studies.
A second major topic was H. 3564, which would require gas companies to provide municipalities with detailed multi-year pipe replacement plans, allow local review and objections, and limit reimbursement for projects not previously disclosed except in emergencies. Municipal leaders and advocates said the bill would improve coordination of street work, reduce disruption and costs, and help cities plan for electrification, network geothermal, and non-pipeline alternatives. Testimony from Wellesley, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton, and others emphasized repeated problems with last-minute gas main work, the need for advance notice, and the value of municipal participation in planning gas system retirement and alternatives.
The committee also heard testimony on the “tactical transition” bills, S. 2249/H. 3539, aimed at managing the gas-to-clean-energy transition. Supporters from Gas Transition Allies, Rewiring America, and 350 Mass said the bills would require joint gas-electric planning, create an advisory council, eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups, shift investment toward repairs and clean alternatives, protect workers through retraining, and make utility plans more transparent. They argued these changes would reduce ratepayer costs, avoid stranded gas assets, and support orderly decarbonization. In addition, HEET testified on H. 3541, which would update greenhouse gas accounting to better reflect methane’s short-term climate impact, and H. 3543, which would establish a framework for managing shared thermal resources and thermal energy networks; committee members asked several questions about the meaning, ownership, and consumer-cost implications of the proposed “thermal commons.” No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to establish a supplemental energy assistance program, HF771, heard in energy committee 3/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The average Twin Cities summer now requires 43% more cooling than it did in the early '80s.
- The average Twin Cities summer now requires 43% more cooling than it did in the early '80s.
- The average Twin Cities summer now requires 43% more cooling than it did in the early '80s.
- The average Twin Cities summer now requires 43% more cooling than it did in the early '80s.
- Of costs for heating and cooling.
Summary:
House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection.
Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value.
Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.