Video & Transcript Research : 'solution gas'

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (04/14/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • yearning and a demand for solutions. yearning and a demand for solutions. finding<04:24:42.640><
  • We've brought natural gas lines.
  • It is not the case that a gas-powered grid alone is the lowest-cost solution.
  • <05:44:10.000> You that gas that gas uh capacity less.
  • You that gas that gas uh capacity less.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • They spend a lot of money and a lot of their budget on gas.
  • right now, those are really one-time solutions.
  • Members, Virgil Welch on behalf of the California Carbon Solutions Coalition.
  • We believe that **CCUS** is a critical tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • I am Nate Solove on the **Efazim** solution.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So specifically, we recommend that you focus on solutions that do not delay or exacerbate the budget
  • And then, as we talked about in the hearing last week, a major new piece of the solution is shifting
  • Is that actually leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?
  • We recommend an eventual phase out of the subsidies provided to oil and gas corporations.
  • That's just base budget, that's just a backfill solution.
Keywords: 988, house, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • The same goes for the oil and gas industry.
  • But I'm going to spend most of the time on oil and gas.
  • Later pilots moved on to using rich gas or produced gas as a proxy for carbon dioxide.
  • One of the ideas with respect to hydrogen is we can use more of our natural gas or oil and gas resources
  • gas that we're experiencing right now and insulation of natural gas-fired generation.
Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce May 18th, 2026

Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, on the gas side, we have it: DNR pipeline safety.
  • sell gas.
  • Hey, with gas prices, what they are now, that's a really good idea anyway.
  • Well, can't they come up with an innovative solution, file a patent?
  • And I would say too that... ...to look at new solutions in the meantime.
Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 12th, 2026 at 06:05 pm

Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • The change applies to gas and special fuel receipts.
  • Our roads fund is funded by the gas tax.
  • If this bill becomes law, it will raise gas prices.
  • A little gas station right there on Serius Road before you turn up to Sal de Brelta. Gas was $2.29.
  • A little gas station right there on Serius Road before you turn up to Sal de Brelta. Gas was $2.29.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Brandon Ebeck, Pacific Gas and Electric. We are respectfully opposed to this bill.
  • CARB is the agency responsible for setting the requirements for economy-wide greenhouse gas emission
  • My name is Jillian Clegg, and I'm the Vice President of Energy Policy and Procurement at Pacific Gas
  • fleet, delaying action on clean energy solutions.
  • Let's not accept a transmission plan that only works if we retain every single natural gas unit.
Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25 - Part 1

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:21:07.480> while toward real Clean Energy Solutions while toward real Clean Energy Solutions
  • Concentrated carbon dioxide is a poisonous gas.
  • Thank you. cost-saving solution rather than the cost-saving solution rather than the source<00:45:49.200
  • As I understand, Xcel Energy gets 90% of their natural gas from Canada.
  • As I understand, Xcel Energy gets 90% of their natural gas from Canada.
Keywords: 1183, house
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Appropriations Apr 29th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ah, it's not just the gas that goes in people's cars.
  • We found oil and gas, so.
  • The reason why I think that's important is we are proposing an oil and gas-based solution for oil and
  • gas, uh, based challenges that we see in the state.
  • There is air pollution from oil and gas. I, I think the oil and gas industry would agree.
Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • to advance a solution whatsoever.
  • of Southern California Gas and Electric.
  • Joe Zanzi with San Diego Gas & Electric.
  • All electric and gas rate designs use this method, and let...
  • And it's worked on the water side, on the electric side, on the gas side.
Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've got gas-cooled, metal-cooled, and molten-salt cooled.
  • We've got gas cooled, metal cooled, and molten salt cooled.
  • They import all of their natural gas in pipelines.
  • They struggle with storage, so storage of natural gas.
  • So it is multiples of what you could build gas for if you had gas.
Keywords: 908, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Delta Tunnel has been proposed as a solution to the water problems.
  • Did we suspend the gas tax so that we could lower the gas prices by $1.8 a gallon tomorrow for hardworking
  • I'm watching like a hawk on how our greenhouse gas reduction fund is being spent.
  • about gas taxes since February 27th, the day before the Iran war started.
  • Talk about gas taxes since February 27th, the day before the Iran war started.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the Senate journals and adopted floor amendments. Members voted on motions to advance Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures and to suspend Joint Rule 62A so the budget committee could hear budget-related bills with shortened notice; both motions passed by roll call. The chamber then moved through the Daily File, including several second-reading bills and gubernatorial appointments. Three appointments were confirmed: Julie Lee and Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Christopher Clark to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators also took up Senate Joint Resolution 17, which urges Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam; the resolution passed unanimously. The Senate then considered AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, with extensive debate on the state’s fiscal condition and major budget priorities. Supporters said the budget is balanced, maintains reserves, reduces the structural deficit, and protects funding for child care, Medi-Cal, distressed hospitals, in-home supportive services, housing, higher education, and transit. Opponents argued it relies on future tax increases, leaves a structural deficit, and does not adequately address affordability, public safety, or repayment of unemployment insurance debt. After debate, AB 109 passed 28-9, and the chamber later approved the consent calendar items 81 through 86. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Honorable Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie. The Senate announced its next floor session would be Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Jun 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • A solution. I mean, everyone says, what's your solution?
  • I have ideas for a short-term solution for funding and a long-term solution.
  • The overwhelming majority of global greenhouse gas emitters.
  • I worked on a gas station, you know, I know how it happens.
  • And we talk about nuclear power, gas, all of those things.
Keywords: 1146, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Going after late fees charged by utilities 3/10/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • were disconnected from electric or gas were disconnected from electric or gas service<00:03:06.640
  • For the last two years, I've been a director over various functions within the gas business.
  • various functions within the gas various functions within the gas business. business. business.
  • <00:14:54.079> And amount for their natural gas bill.
  • And amount for their natural gas bill.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The committee heard House File 3912, as amended, and the author moved that the bill be laid over for consideration in a future omnibus bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. Representative Holland described the bill as an energy affordability measure that would bar utilities from charging certain fees during the cold weather rule for customers above 50% of state median income, prohibit reconnection fees after shutoff for nonpayment, and create a framework for regulating late fees. He argued that late fees are often high, compound monthly, and disproportionately burden low-income households, citing utility debt and disconnection figures and noting that the need for relief is concentrated in greater Minnesota. Annie Levenson Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board supported the bill, saying reconnection fees and late fees fall on households already struggling to pay for essential service. She said reconnection fees should be treated as part of the cost of doing business and that late fees should be limited to a reasonable approximation of actual carrying costs, with protections for low-income customers. She also said the issue is already being considered in utility rate cases before the Public Utilities Commission, but that legislative action is still appropriate. Nick Martin of Xcel Energy and Katherine O'Donnell of CenterPoint Energy opposed the bill in its current form while emphasizing their companies’ commitment to affordability and customer assistance. Xcel said the bill would shift reconnection costs to other customers and could undermine a proposed arrears management program funded by late payment charges; Xcel also noted that the PUC is already reviewing these issues in its rate case. CenterPoint said it already offers extensive outreach, payment plans, and assistance programs, does not charge late fees once a customer is on a payment plan, and that its reconnection fee does not fully cover costs. After testimony and brief discussion, the chair noted the helpful information from utilities, the author said he was open to further work on the bill, and the bill was laid over.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Select Water Committee, May 7, 2026

Select Water Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • groceries, your gas, things like that. groceries, your gas, things like that.
  • Um, so no prescribed solution, 99 different municipalities, 99 different solutions is the best way I
  • Um, so no prescribed solution, 99 different municipalities, 99 different solutions is the best way I
  • Um, so no prescribed solution, 99 different municipalities, 99 different solutions is the best way I
  • gas plays are pretty well distributed. gas plays are pretty well distributed.
Keywords: 916, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 18, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • gas, utilities, 3 special gas districts and 4 of the 5 interstate gas pipelines.
  • And that is natural gas fuels as a compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas for on road and off-road
  • Natural gas ultimately is it gathered through dry gas exploration.
  • gas.
  • gas distribution system.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 1st, 2026

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • If not, we should bolt on the solutions on top.
  • Thierry with looking at our critical gas infrastructure and inspecting gas plants regarding weatherization
  • That's one solution for working with them.
  • I think that's another part of this solution.
  • What future do you see for gas?
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • Growing in compound interest to exceed what we're getting from oil and gas.
  • Introduced a gas tax increase of one cent, that was argued.
  • A one cent gas tax for 15 gallons of gas. Would add 15 cents if you filled your tank, 30 cents.
  • tax, I'm a big fan of the gas tax because it's a closed system.
  • So you've got to look at the elasticity of the gas tax, in which, if we were to raise the gas tax 0.10
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Joe Zanzi with San Diego Gas & Electric in support.
  • Joe Zanzi with San Diego Gas & Electric in support.
  • Lourdes-A-Jayon with San Diego Gas & Electric and SoCal Gas, in opposition. Sorry.
  • like many other molecules like natural gas.
  • The solution recommended here is reasonable.
Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Energy Committee Meeting - 2025-03-25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Regulatory Director at Darcy Solutions.
  • Have you looked at just if it sounds like you have expert gas and an engine that just burns gas is probably
  • It's more of an interim solution to keep this project moving forward.
  • We saw the natural gas prices come back down to a more "normal" level.
  • So, your gas or car utility—what are the base modes of that?