Video & Transcript : 'floating solar' :
Page 16 of 176
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- type of solar that is.
- with other solar; the solar has the same environmental benefits.
- with other solar; the solar has the same environmental benefits.
- </c><01:37:40.520><c> solar</c><01:37:40.920><c> has</c><01:37:41.119><c> the</c> solar with other solar
- the solar has the solar with other solar the solar has the same<01:37:41.520><c> environmental</c><01
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/26/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- , community solar gardens, utility-grade solar, and all the rest.
- . solar. solar.
- </c> about when we're talking about solar about when we're talking about solar solar<00:52:23.640><c>
- </c> the solar the solar capacity.<00:56:55.079><c> Sorry.
- </c> to benefit from solar? to benefit from solar?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate Press Conference 2/24/26
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the affordability revolution of solar. the affordability revolution of solar.
- > because</c><00:04:28.639><c> he</c> deck solar and plug-in solar because he deck solar and plug-in
- Uh solar panels can be very of solar.
- </c> a house that's set up for a big solar a house that's set up for a big solar array.<00:05:18.560>
- I am with Vote Solar.
Summary:
The meeting was an announcement and support event for a Minnesota plug-in solar bill led by Rep. Larry Craft and Sen. Rob Coop. Craft described plug-in solar as a way to expand access to affordable solar for renters, people with shaded or unsuitable roofs, and others who cannot install traditional rooftop systems. He said the bill would define plug-in solar devices as up to 1,200 watts, allow storage, require certification to UL 3700 safety standards, and exempt these devices from utility interconnection agreements and submetering requirements.
Sen. Coop said he was excited to sign on after hearing from a constituent interested in deck solar and after learning Craft already had a bill. He framed the proposal as both an affordability measure and a way to democratize solar access, especially for lower-income households and apartment residents. Supporters including Bobby King of Solar United Neighbors and Patty O'Keefe of Vote Solar said interest in plug-in solar is statewide, the policy would lower barriers and energy bills, and the systems are simple, safe, and well-suited to small spaces like balconies, decks, patios, and yards.
John Gouki, an electrician from Duluth, submitted a statement supporting the bill on safety and resilience grounds, saying 1,200 watts is a safe limit for UL-listed plug-in solar and that the systems can provide backup power while reducing grid consumption. Craft and Coop also pointed to examples from other places, including Utah and Germany, as evidence that the technology is already spreading. The event ended with expressions of support and enthusiasm for moving the bill forward; no vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/10/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- I have rooftop solar.
- Here, the Metro has 1% of solar homes, or homes with solar.
- A solar owner, a solar member of that co-op, has to pay up to $71 in fees.
- that charge a solar fee.
- I'm Doug Noar, a solar owner.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/09/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Solar Garden Program.
- Minnesota’s groundbreaking Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden
- Community solar gardens, or CSG, were a way to allow Minnesotans to pay for solar energy to meet their
- Community solar gardens, or CSG, were a way to allow Minnesotans to pay for solar energy to meet their
- Solar, a Minnesota-based developer and owner-operator of solar and battery storage projects.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That includes storage, solar, solar plus storage, and geothermal resources.
- solar.
- and solar storage on the rooftops.
- property is unsuitable for solar.
- Third, TURN and the solar industry argued that community solar projects should include four hours of
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held an oversight hearing with leaders from the CPUC, Public Advocates Office, CAISO, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the Energy Commission. Chair Petrie-Norris framed the hearing around high utility bills, wildfire risk, grid reliability, clean energy buildout, and the state’s long-term decarbonization goals, and also noted it was CPUC President Alice Reynolds’ final week at the commission. Each agency gave an update on its role: the CPUC described efforts to reduce rate increases while maintaining reliability and clean energy procurement; the Public Advocates Office focused on affordability and the need to control underlying utility costs; CAISO discussed transmission planning, market operations, and the upcoming extended day-ahead market; Energy Safety reviewed wildfire mitigation oversight and inspections; and the Energy Commission highlighted clean energy growth, EV adoption, storage, efficiency, and gasoline price monitoring.
A major theme was affordability versus the costs of the clean energy transition. Reynolds said the CPUC has lowered utility revenue requests, reduced utility returns, adopted a base services charge, and reworked net metering, while also continuing to manage wildfire-related costs and support resource adequacy and demand flexibility. Sarazawa argued that recent rate decreases may not be durable because billions of dollars in wildfire and other utility costs are still pending or unbilled, and she urged tighter use of general rate cases, lower-cost financing, program reform, and more equitable rate design. Members pressed the agencies on whether state policy is sufficiently accounting for labor, local economic development, and the cost impacts of transmission and procurement decisions, especially where out-of-state resources are being considered.
CAISO and the Energy Commission emphasized that the state’s planning and market reforms are helping lower costs and improve reliability. CAISO said the Western Energy Imbalance Market has produced billions in benefits, the extended day-ahead market is on track to launch, and transmission planning is being aligned with long-term resource needs while reducing queue delays. The Energy Commission said California is now getting roughly two-thirds of its power from clean sources, has added massive amounts of storage and renewables, and is seeing strong EV and charger growth that can help spread fixed grid costs. Energy Safety reported thousands of inspections, hundreds of notices of non-performance, and a decline in reportable ignitions, while noting that major fires show more work is needed. Members also raised concerns about the SB 100 report delay, memo and balancing accounts, the future of battery storage, and whether decarbonization zone pilots will affect residential and commercial customers.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Recycling and end of life um of so solar Recycling and end of life um of so solar so<00:04:03.000
- </c> disposal on ban for all solar disposal on ban for all solar installations<00:04:18.680><c> um</c
- </c> recycling requirement for all solar recycling requirement for all solar installations<00:04:22.639
- </c> smaller um um solar smaller um um solar installations<00:04:32.320><c> um</c><00:04:32.960><c> the
- </c> includes as I said wind and solar includes as I said wind and solar components<00:04:49.320><c>
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republican Leaders Address Tax & Affordability Concerns for Minnesotans - 04/15/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, there's a number of ideas that are floating around.
- Again, there's a number of ideas that Again, there's a number of ideas that are<00:14:25.120><c> floating
- 25.760><c> I've</c><00:14:25.880><c> seen</c><00:14:26.079><c> a</c><00:14:26.120><c> couple</c> are floating
- I've seen a couple are floating around.
Summary:
Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures.
Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers.
In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- of the headwaters of Big Creek, then I could give you permission to get in a kayak or a canoe and float
- it all the way to Big Creek. ...and float it all the way to Big Creek Lake.
- You might see a deer swimming across or alligators floating...
- You might see deer swimming across, alligators floating around, turtles, bald eagles, raccoons, and ducks
Committee:
House Boards, Agencies and Commissions
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 5th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- At one point in time, there was an idea floated that we would take some amount of the FEMA reimbursements
- Do you know, is that idea still floating around out there? Has it been effectuated?
- At one point in time, there was an idea floated that we would take some amount of the FEMA reimbursements
- Do you know, is that idea still floating around out there? Has it been effectuated?
Summary:
The committee received a program review from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and FEMA reimbursement process. Deputy Director Keith Pruitt described the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including major storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, debris removal, power restoration, flood-control deployments, sheltering, and logistics missions. He emphasized that Florida’s approach is “federally funded, state managed, locally executed,” and said the division has already obligated large amounts of public assistance funding and mitigation dollars while continuing to work on remaining missions and reimbursements.
A major focus of the discussion was how local governments can better document and vet debris-removal and other disaster costs so they are eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Chair DiCeglie and other senators raised concerns about local planning, commercial debris collection, and whether counties and municipalities that spend money up front will be reimbursed. Pruitt explained that eligibility depends on documentation, scope of work, insurance, and FEMA rules, and that the state’s FROC process is intended to help counties identify eligible work before costs are incurred. He also said commercial debris may be eligible in some cases but is not guaranteed, and that counties should coordinate early with FDEM and FEMA.
Senators also asked about possible FEMA reforms, the age of outstanding reimbursement claims, and a proposed state fund to advance money to fiscally constrained counties while they wait for FEMA payments. Pruitt said Florida’s system is a national best practice, but that more county-level training and clearer coordination would help reduce de-obligations and audit problems. He said the reimbursement-advance idea is still being developed, and that the state continues to look at ways to streamline mitigation through programs like Elevate Florida. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after closing comments from senators praising FDEM’s work.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- net producing solar, not just a solar panel used as the source of power for a light in a place where
- So this isn't just solar.
- the solar?
- has the solar panels on.
- solar generation.
Committee:
House Utilities
Summary:
The committee first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, which would combine the bills and add a clawback/refund provision for construction work in progress in base rates if costs were imprudently incurred or a project is not placed in service in a reasonable time. Supporters argued Missouri should remove its CWIP ban to stay competitive with neighboring states and attract utility investment, while opponents warned about unknown costs and timelines for ratepayers. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the combined bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes.
The committee then considered House Bill 2711, as amended by a substitute, dealing with broadband-related property tax treatment. The sponsor explained the substitute narrowed the bill to new installations, added a seven-year sunset, and aimed to clarify assessment issues. Supporters said the measure would help expand broadband infrastructure and improve service in underserved areas, while opponents argued the tax break should not apply to upgrades within existing service territories and questioned whether the bill truly expanded access. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes.
The remainder of the hearing focused on House Bill 2762, a broad solar/wind/water measure. The sponsor described provisions setting a $2,500 per megawatt tax on solar nameplate capacity, creating more uniform assessment rules, establishing setbacks for solar facilities, limiting eminent domain use, and including smaller sections on water district dissolution and wind turbine lighting. Testimony was mixed: solar developers, Clean Grid Alliance, Renew Missouri, and Missouri Farm Bureau supported clearer rules, grandfathering, and setbacks they viewed as reasonable, while landowners and local residents raised concerns about property rights, transparency, runoff, glare, noise, and the impact of large solar projects on neighboring farms and homes. No final action on HB 2762 was taken in the portion provided, but the chair said a committee substitute would be developed to address the solar issues more comprehensively.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- That includes storage, solar, solar-plus-storage, and geothermal resources.
- solar.
- and solar storage on the rooftops.
- community solar programs.
- property is unsuitable for solar.
Committee:
House Utilities and Energy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We floated that payroll with our cash reserves, thinking that we'll probably just get it back on the
- So we floated that one. We floated the last one.
- So we floated<01:43:32.960><c> that</c><01:43:33.199><c> one.
- </c> floated that one.
- We floated the last floated that one.
Committee:
Senate Human Services
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- to as the in-fenced area of a solar production.
- power plant that is net-producing solar.
- Well, it's solar. I mean, I'm surrounded by... Well, solar.
- that has the solar panels on them.
- generation and proper local taxation of solar generation.
Committee:
House Utilities
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And so solar garden and solar standard.
- </c> Solar Garden Program. Solar Garden Program.
- </c> than utility scale solar. than utility scale solar.
- solar capacity.
- and</c><00:36:09.119><c> the</c> solar, the solar industry, and the solar, the solar industry, and the
Bills:
HF3556
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- solar Gardens area is solar area and the solar Gardens area is that<00:26:12.640><c> they've</c><00:26
Committee:
House Energy Finance and Policy
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> of solar energy. of solar energy.
- in owning solar energy.
- of solar by 2020.
- </c> community solar standard in Minnesota. community solar standard in Minnesota.
- </c> The idea of community solar is simple. The idea of community solar is simple.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- able to access solar.
- The technology ensures that solar.
- ><c> bills</c><00:04:10.560><c> and</c> solar reduces electricity bills and solar reduces electricity
- Plug-in solar... very, very anxious to see plug-in solar very, very anxious to see plug-in solar systems
- </c> rooftop solar. rooftop solar.
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process.
SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems.
After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/26/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that how much the fee would be for a solar developer to put solar panels on the state reforestation
- Will that be the fee that a solar company will be paying the State of New York for developing a solar
- to bring solar and wind power onto state reforestation areas?
- We'll put those flexible solar panels.
- We'll put those flexible solar panels.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests.
The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills.
The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13.
The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Louis City on solar is what? I may want to have solar panels on every house.
- Because solar takes, you've got to realize solar to be over 5 megawatts is taking a lot of acres that
- Well, the solar panel...
- She said they are not against solar on roofs, community solar situations, or solar on industrial buildings
- If you remove the tax credits on wind or solar, it's going to put solar up... ...credits on wind or solar
Committee:
House Utilities
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2383, Representative Simmons’s bill addressing theft of copper and other infrastructure-related property. After a brief executive session and no further discussion, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call of 17 ayes, 1 no, and 1 present.
The committee then heard House Bill 2711, sponsored by Representative Deal, which would lower the assessed valuation of broadband communications equipment from 33.5% to 12% for new broadband equipment placed in service after August 28, 2026, with a proposed sunset period discussed as part of a substitute. Representative Deal and several industry witnesses, including AT&T, Verizon, Missouri Cable Association, Missouri Broadband Providers Association, Missouri Chamber, and electric co-ops, argued the measure would improve Missouri’s competitiveness, encourage private investment, and help expand broadband in rural and underserved areas. Opponents, including county assessors, argued the bill would reduce local tax revenue, create unequal treatment, and could become a precedent for other industries. Committee members questioned whether the bill would apply only to new builds or also to upgrades and existing infrastructure, and whether the tax relief would actually drive expansion into rural areas.
The committee then began hearing House Bills 2402 and 2816, which deal with solar energy siting and taxation. The sponsors described the bills as setting local assessment rules for solar projects, establishing a per-megawatt valuation, requiring larger setbacks from homes, schools, and churches, and limiting the amount of tillable land that can be used for solar in a county, while also addressing Chapter 100 agreements and decommissioning concerns. Supporters, including Missouri Farm Bureau and county officials, said the bills would provide needed guardrails, local control, and more consistent taxation. Opponents and affected landowners said existing solar projects have caused glare, dust, noise, and property value concerns, while some developers said they wanted clearer statewide rules and consistency for future projects. The committee did not take final action on the solar bills before going into recess.