Video & Transcript : 'energy equity' :
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LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Mar 24th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- over: H.R. 46 by Representative McCormick, urging and requesting the Department of Conservation and Energy
- Resolutions lying over H.R. 46 by Representative McCormick, urge request Department of Conservation Energy
- House Bill 987 by Representative McFarland, Louisiana State University Energy Institute, to provide for
- unification of energy-related programs.
- Senate Bill 379 by Senator Hensgens, provides due to the Department of Conservation and Energy, technical
Bills:
HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901
Keywords:
waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and received official notice from the Secretary of State certifying Dana Henry and Paul Sawyer to fill vacancies in the chamber. Both members were sworn in. The House also received Senate messages on several concurrent resolutions and a large slate of Senate bills, and it adopted a number of House resolutions recognizing groups and individuals, including agriculture, athletic trainers, GoFar Louisiana, homeschooling families, veterans, and several community honorees. Committee reports and bill referrals were also announced throughout the morning hour.
A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to floor action on House bills, many of them memorial highway designations and policy measures. The House gave final passage to bills naming roadways and bridges for Officer Trevor Abney, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, and American Legion Post No. 14, and it also passed bills extending Tax Commission assessment fees, creating a transfer-on-death securities registration act, increasing lender origination fees, expanding assessor certification committee membership, and strengthening protections for eligible adults against financial exploitation. Other bills passed included measures on teacher certification appeals, removing Evangeline Parish from a juvenile justice district, re-creating the Department of Education, and repealing a $25 impaired-driving fine. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly or unanimously.
The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 68, which would create a new offense for disturbing worship services and impose a mandatory 30-day jail term for certain misdemeanor conduct, with higher penalties for related offenses. Supporters argued the bill was intended to deter disruptions and reduce the risk of escalation in houses of worship, citing heightened security concerns and incidents in churches nationwide. Opponents questioned the bill’s vagueness, the mandatory minimum sentence, the distinction between misdemeanor and felony treatment, and whether existing law already covered the conduct. The bill remained under discussion as members continued to raise constitutional, enforcement, and policy concerns.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Mar 24th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 987 by Representative McFarland, Louisiana State University Energy Institute, to provide for
- unification of energy-related programs.
- House Bill 987 by Representative McFarland, Louisiana State University Energy Institute, to provide for
- unification of energy-related programs.
- Senate Bill 379 by Senator Hensgens, provides due to the Department of Conservation and Energy, technical
Bills:
HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901
Keywords:
waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 05/01/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Our industry builds safe, energy-efficient, durable homes, and we know what our homeowners want.
- 19:01.120><c> industry</c><00:19:01.600><c> builds</c><00:19:01.919><c> safe,</c><00:19:02.320><c> energy
- </c> Our industry builds safe, energy Our industry builds safe, energy efficient,<00:19:03.039><c> durable
- years<00:55:19.200><c> uh</c><00:55:19.280><c> to</c><00:55:19.520><c> build</c><00:55:19.760><c> equity
- in our home and years uh to build equity in our home and we<00:55:21.680><c> can't</c><00:55:22.160>
Committee:
Senate State and Local Government
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- improve access to care, quality and health outcomes, program integrity, and better address health equity
- </c><00:47:30.240><c> issues</c><00:47:30.640><c> in</c><00:47:30.760><c> the</c> address health equity
- issues in the address health equity issues in the Medicaid<00:47:31.400><c> program</c><00:47:31.880
- Implemented thoughtfully, it could advance equity and sustainability.
- </c> advance equity and sustainability. advance equity and sustainability.
Committee:
Senate Human Services
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 23rd, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- investments shape not only the future of our students, but also the long-term economic strength and equity
- Thus far, my remarks have called attention to affordability, equity, and success, but I want to give
- If you could have been there and seen the energy and talked to students who never thought about college
- And our districts, our families, our child care programs are struggling with energy costs and inflation
- But we, again, and there's many of us up here that really prioritize regional equity.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
November 2025 State Budget and Economic Forecast Presentation - 12/04/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Equity markets present both upside and downside risks to this forecast.
- Households in the top quintile of income distribution hold a high proportion of the equities held by
- A downward correction in equity markets could cause outsized changes in personal consumption.
- Equity markets, as I've already mentioned, present both upside and downside risks.
- c> already</c> Equity markets, as I've already Equity markets, as I've already mentioned,<00:14:49.360
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- efficiency measures, we also like to use the improvement process to implement energy savings measures
- the case of Energy Efficiency measures we<00:51:42.040><c> also</c><00:51:42.280><c> like</c><00:51:
- </c><00:51:44.799><c> savings</c> process to implement Energy savings process to implement Energy savings
- Most of the time it was done as a result of a lawsuit to settle equity.
- Number 10 is for our gender equity program, $1 million.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/02/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's try to put the energy and the resources into the quality of instruction that's happening in the
- Let's try to put the energy and the resources into the quality of instruction that's happening in the
- </c><01:47:06.639><c> and</c> self-esteem and focus on on equity and self-esteem and focus on on equity
- </c><04:19:40.399><c> We</c><04:19:40.640><c> had</c> equity and things of that nature.
- We had equity and things of that nature.
Committee:
House Education Policy and Administration
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 029 Feb 11th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:30:00.080><c> all</c> green energy programs, sacred cows. all green energy programs, sacred cows
- I also want to commend them for their commitment uh to uh health equity.
- </c><04:32:48.399><c> Um,</c><04:32:48.720><c> I</c> commitment uh to uh health equity.
- Um, I commitment uh to uh health equity.
- </c><04:32:54.239><c> uh</c> I do the importance of health equity uh I do the importance of health equity
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We know that families are hurting and struggling through the rising cost of living, from energy to health
- MinnesotaCare while at the same time paying very low premiums or maybe not paying premiums at all. energy
- to health care to grocery prices energy to health care to grocery prices to<00:02:11.200><c> the</c>
- I'm chair of the Birth Equity Work Group.
- By preserving MinnesotaCare, we uphold our commitment to health equity, ensuring everyone can live a
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
Keywords:
undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's time to abandon the one-size-fits-all energy strategy that stifles domestic energy production and
- strategy and regain American energy dominance.
- It's time to abandon the one-size-fits-all energy strategy that stifles domestic energy production and
- </c><07:38:08.240><c> strategy</c> true all of the above energy strategy true all of the above energy
- :38:11.440><c> Energy</c> and regain energy American Energy and regain energy American Energy dominance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 3 - 05/17/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a change for those businesses that are looking for equity investors, more investment income,
- FACILITIES ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMITTEES THERE IS A CHANGE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOOKING FOR EQUITY
- LICENSES THEY HAVE APPLIED FOR SO THE TRUE PARTY OF INTEREST CANNOT OWN UP TO 33% OF UP TO FOUR SOCIAL EQUITY
- I am sure you recall the conversation we had that Vireo purchased the Great River Energy facility in
- That Vireo purchased the Great River Energy facility in Elk River with the assumption that they would
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This leads to water and energy savings from reducing the frequency that we're washing our clothes, which
- this bill has previously been vetoed by Governor Newsom, and while I understand that there are clean energy
- This bill allows them to rebuild their homes under the solar energy standards that were in place when
- The goal is not to undermine California's clean energy goals, but to recognize that in a time of crisis
- Chair, AB 1358 aims to promote equity within the Santa Ana River Conservancy Program.
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials.
The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out.
Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- First, safeguarding access and equity as we navigate a changing federal landscape, ensuring that Medi-Cal
- First, safeguarding access and equity as we navigate a changing federal landscape, ensuring that Medi-Cal
- We're the experts—top three food-producing counties, number one oil and energy-producing county.
Committee:
Senate Rules
Summary:
The committee first handled several routine items, approving three gubernatorial appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. It also approved referral of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, all by 5-0 votes.
The committee then heard Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators questioned him extensively about rural and financially distressed hospitals, Medi-Cal reimbursement, eligibility redeterminations, work requirements, fraud controls, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s evaluation. He said DHCS is working on expedited payments, hospital monitoring, county technical assistance, targeted audits, and community supports such as medically tailored meals. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate.
The committee also heard from Dr. Chris Thayer, nominated to lead the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and risk communication to inform other agencies and policymakers. Senators focused on the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and how OEHHA communicates risk to the public. Thayer said the office relies on a mix of data sources where direct evidence is limited, is updating CalEnviroScreen, and is working to reduce Prop 65 over-warning through guidance and outreach. The discussion did not reach a final vote on his appointment in the portion provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- First, safeguarding access and equity as we navigate a changing federal landscape, ensuring that Medi-Cal
- First, safeguarding access and equity as we navigate a changing federal landscape, ensuring that Medi-Cal
- We're the experts: top three food-producing counties, number one oil and energy-producing county.
Committee:
Senate Rules
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Massachusetts restaurants operate on razor-thin margins and continue to face rising insurance costs, energy
- Massachusetts restaurants operate on razor-thin margins and continue to face rising insurance costs, energy
- The dining room was full, the energy was high, and our team executed beautifully.
- markup fees, which I think is a really great opportunity to make the playing field more fair on that equity
Summary:
The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees.
Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open.
Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We're also meeting community needs by doing housing projects, you know, renewable energy, oil and gas
- , and traditional energy sources, agriculture, transmission lines, conservation, economic development
- For example, renewable energy is moving from single digits to double digits to eventually hundreds of
- the digital divide by leveraging three major fund streams: ARPA, Connect New Mexico, and Broadband Equity
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- By using better chemistry, these manufacturers can reduce both energy use and emissions, improve efficiency
- Families Advocating for Chemical and Toxic Safety, Reclaim Energy, CalPIRG, Long Beach Alliance for Clean
- Energy, Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, the Environmental Defense Federation,
- support: Natural Resources Defense Council, Toxic-Free Communities, Clean Earth for Kids, North County Equity
Summary:
The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call.
The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open.
Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> data centers and other high energy data centers and other high energy demand<00:05:37.720><c> projects
- </c><00:14:37.240><c> market</c> reduce dependency on the energy market reduce dependency on the energy
- And with the growing demand for energy throughout the country, energy providers are deciding where to
- </c> may say unlawful practices by the Energy may say unlawful practices by the Energy and<00:58:00.280
- </c><01:03:47.760><c> and</c> Also, SB 89 strips Kentucky Energy and Also, SB 89 strips Kentucky Energy
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.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, June 4, 2026 - PM
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- authority through the Wyoming energy authority through the energy<01:43:02.080><c> dominance</c><01:
- </c> defines minimum demand and energy defines minimum demand and energy thresholds<02:12:41.760><c>
- The demand and energy monthly basis.
- That's uh that's in member equity.
- </c> don't produce the same amount of energy don't produce the same amount of energy 24<03:24:50.560>