Transcript Highlights:

• But things like reliability, right? It's something that folks don't really think about.
• Vogtle is now the largest generator of electricity in the U.S.
• Originally, one mill per kilowatt hour was charged on the cost of nuclear electricity.
• I'm not sure I'd want to be paying an electric bill in that country. Here's our principles.
• , reliable, affordable energy on a global scale.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyway, it's a good, safe, reliable industry.
• In addition, SB 132 creates strong protections for existing customers in the areas of reliability and
• This oversight includes a clear scope of regulatory review targeted toward reliability and protecting
• And I think you need to up your game a little bit on service and service reliability in the state of
• and had conducted three... ...had seven meetings with Utah electricity distribution entities and had

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to decrease the cost of electricity in the State of New York, you can do it overnight.
• If you want to decrease the cost of electricity in the State of New York, you can do it overnight.
• If you want to decrease the cost of electricity in the State of New York, you can do it overnight.
• If you want to decrease the cost of electricity in the State of New York, you can do it overnight.
• OF ELECTRICITY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, YOU CAN DO IT OVERNIGHT.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silent reflection, approval of the prior journal, and several ceremonial introductions. Senator Mayer welcomed students and alumni from the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways, highlighting early college opportunities for high school students. Senator Zellner introduced members of the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Union Local 282 and honored fallen Buffalo firefighter Jayson Arno, with remarks praising firefighters’ service and sacrifice. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 1489, commemorating the 182nd anniversary of Dominican Republic independence. Senator Sepúlveda presented the resolution and spoke about Dominican history, sovereignty, the Dominican diaspora in New York, and the role of Consul General Jesús Vásquez Martínez. Senators Jackson, Weber, Bailey, and others spoke in support, emphasizing the contributions of Dominican New Yorkers. The resolution was adopted and opened for co-sponsorship. The Senate next moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills on insurance, public health, education, social services, tax, penal law, and workers’ compensation. Several bills were approved by wide margins, including measures related to vaccination policy and education law; Senator Weik opposed the public health/vaccination bill, while Senator Mayer defended it as science-based. Senator Fernandez explained and secured passage of a workers’ compensation bill that would raise a pre-authorization threshold, clarify medical treatment guidelines, and restore access to out-of-network providers for injured workers. The only contentious item was Calendar 117, a bill amending the Executive Law related to climate resilience and the Office of Resilience. Senator Walczyk offered an amendment to repeal the statewide cap-and-invest program, but the chair ruled it nongermane; the Senate upheld that ruling on a 21-aye vote. Senators Harckham, Borrello, Krueger, Lanza, Martins, and Gianaris spoke at length on climate policy, energy costs, and the bill’s merits. The bill ultimately passed 51-9. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public water agencies are tasked with providing the public with safe and reliable drinking water.
• for water infrastructure that are not aligned with Water Agency's objective of providing safe and reliable
• mitigation without passing these costs on to consumers through higher electricity rates.
• that is no longer in use and support the undergrounding of electrical distribution lines and ways that
• limit the financial burdens on consumers. electricity rates.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have, since 2017, a $75 registration fee electric vehicles pay.
• some way to levy a tax or fee on the electricity going to charge the vehicles.
• <01:02:05.200> vehicles the movement towards electric vehicles the movement towards electric
• <01:02:24.440> vehicles registration fee elect electric vehicles registration fee elect electric
• of mileage based user fee for electric of mileage based user fee for electric vehicles<01:02:40.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Working Group met on January 15, 2025, with Chair John Kosnik opening by saying the committee expected to pass a transportation bill this year and emphasizing efficient use of transportation revenues, maintenance of roads and transit, and safety. Members and staff introduced themselves, and several representatives noted their interest in roads, bridges, and regional transportation needs. Kosnik also said he had spoken with Representative Kel about leadership arrangements and stressed that bipartisan support would be needed for a transportation bill. House Fiscal Staff’s Andrew Lee and House Research’s Matt Burus then gave an overview of transportation finance, focusing mainly on highways and transit. Burus explained Minnesota’s highway funding structure, including the constitutional Highway User Tax Distribution Fund and the related Trunk Highway Fund, County State-Aid Highway Fund, and Municipal State-Aid Street Fund. He reviewed the main revenue sources: the motor fuels tax, motor vehicle registration tax, motor vehicle sales tax, portions of the general sales tax tied to auto parts, vehicle rentals and leases, and the retail delivery fee. He noted several changes from 2023 legislation, including indexing of the gas tax, creation of the Transportation Advancement Account, and the retail delivery fee, which began in July 2024 and therefore would affect fiscal year 2025 rather than the fiscal 2024 data shown. The presentation also covered how highway dollars flow through constitutional formulas, including the 95/5 split from the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund, with the 5 percent set-aside used for town roads, town bridges, and flexible highway purposes such as turnbacks. Burus distinguished trunk highway bonds from general obligation bonds and explained that both are debt-financing tools for transportation projects, but with different repayment sources and uses. No votes or formal actions were taken at this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• electric electrically powered vehicle. electric electrically powered vehicle.
• bicycles and electric assisted bicycles. bicycles and electric assisted bicycles.
• at all, just legal electric bicycles. at all, just legal electric bicycles.
• um electric um electric uh<01:34:42.520> electric<01:34:43.160> motorcycles,<01:34
• electric dirt bike at the federal level. electric dirt bike at the federal level.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Electric cooperatives strive to deliver reliable, affordable, and safe electricity and are member-driven
• Cost for basic services like electricity fall the hardest on low-income Minnesotans, and electric cooperatives
• Electric cooperatives strive to deliver reliable, affordable, and safe electricity and are member-driven
• Cost for basic services like electricity fall the hardest on low-income Minnesotans, and electric cooperatives
• Electric cooperatives strive to deliver reliable, affordable, and safe electricity and are member-driven

Keywords: 919, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• The electric co-op make an announcement.
• Prior to 1937, only 3% of rural homes in the Commonwealth had electricity.
• <02:21:20.319> In Commonwealth had electricity. In Commonwealth had electricity.
• > affordably<02:21:59.600> generating reliably and affordably generating reliably and affordably
• c><02:22:02.160> fired electricity through two coal fired electricity through two coal fired plants

Keywords: This version of the House chambers was retrieved from back up and uploaded. The original live stream contained issues where audio and video got out of sync., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee reports on several bills. Reported measures included House Bills 1 and 2 from Appropriations and Revenue, along with bills on animal control officers, emergency services revenue, postsecondary education, proactive postsecondary admission, vehicle lights, motor vehicle operation, motor vehicle dealers, and machine gun conversion devices. The chamber also took up Senate Bills 52 and 124 for concurrence, and House Bill 1 was moved from rules to the orders of the day for immediate action. The House then considered House Bill 568, which would regulate public adjusters by prohibiting new licenses, allowing renewals for current licensees, imposing conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, capping fees at 5%, and barring adjusters from negotiating claims. Supporters described it as a consumer-protection measure responding to complaints and investigations, especially after recent storm-related exploitation. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 95-1. The House next debated House Bill 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program and authorize the Secretary of State to administer the state’s participation without using state general funds. Supporters argued it would bring federal scholarship dollars into Kentucky for K-12 students, including public school students, and could generate significant private donations for scholarship-granting organizations. Opponents raised concerns about shifting resources away from public education, the speed of the process, and a proposed waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity. A motion to table the bill failed by a wide margin, and members continued debating the bill and its implications for public schools and state sovereignty.

Transcript Highlights:

• decrease or eliminate their own electric decrease or eliminate their own electric utility<00:02:
• think all of you know electric think all of you know electric cooperatives<00:10:01.200> are<
• testimony from right H up and electric testimony from right H up and electric and<00:27:14.559><
• solar and ultimately of electricity solar and ultimately of electricity itself<01:03:07.000>
• increase our demand for electricity increase our demand for electricity there<01:03:11.880> will

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• save money on their electric bills. save money on their electric bills.
• President, I reliable. With that, Mr.
• You know, we want reliable You know, we want reliable uh<01:16:30.360> affordable<01:16:31.360
• It's undisputed that the reliable.
• words, uh we had cheaper electricity words, uh we had cheaper electricity costs<01:27:38.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Campers are saying in surveys that they want better Wi-Fi, sewer drops upgraded, electric sites with
• Kentucky State Parks owns the primary electrical infrastructure of 14 parks.
• The age and condition of these systems are no longer able to safely and reliably support the electrical
• This adds to the priority of upgrading our electrical infrastructure.
• c> systems reliably support the electrical systems reliably support the electrical systems for<00

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting 00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:14 Approval of Minutes 01:40 Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet 27:44 Department of Parks 59:23 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members then heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% tourism marketing fund. Witnesses explained that the fund supports statewide tourism promotion, advertising, research, regional marketing, and matching grants to local tourism commissions, and that it cannot be used for capital construction. They reported that the General Assembly and governor increased appropriations in the 2024 session, adding $3 million in FY25 and $7 million in FY26, and set aside funding for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Tourism officials emphasized that Kentucky tourism is a major economic driver, citing 2023 figures of $13.8 billion in economic impact, 79.3 million visitors, $9.7 billion in direct spending, more than 95,000 jobs supported, and nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. They said the department now uses targeted digital and over-the-top advertising in selected domestic and international markets, with 62% of media placements digital and 80% of the budget spent out of state. Members asked about market selection, how the department measures return on investment, and what attracts visitors from places such as Dallas, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.; officials said research shows a mix of family visits, outdoor recreation, and varied Kentucky offerings, and that 81% of overnight visitors are repeat visitors. They also discussed the potential impact of tariffs and trade tensions on bourbon-related tourism and international visitation, especially from Canada, and officials said they were monitoring the situation with U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA. The committee then heard from Kentucky State Parks officials on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. They said they are providing quarterly project reports and have been meeting regularly with the Finance Cabinet’s engineering and contract staff. The presentation focused on campground utilities, broadband, and structural upgrades, including $40 million for campground improvements across the park system, with completed bathhouse renovations at Barren River and Nolin Lake and additional projects underway or in planning. Officials said the work is based on camper survey feedback, such as requests for better Wi-Fi, sewer and electric upgrades, frost-free spigots, and improved site layouts, and noted that the My Old Kentucky Home campground project is under construction and expected to be completed by spring 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• can supply the needed electricity.
• Time so it can supply the needed electricity.
• The truth is that the era of cheap and reliably priced methane gas is over.
• The non-municipal world is also embracing all-electric buildings.
• electricity procurement, and regulatory policy.

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, we are never going to reach that goal unless we have a... ...electric.
• AB 1423 is a bill to improve the charging experience for electric vehicle drivers in California.
• Reed Addis, on behalf of the Electric Vehicle Charging Association. Sorry about that.
• Reed Addis, on behalf of the Electric Vehicle Charging Association.
• EV charging reliability is paramount to achieving a smooth EV transition.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation safety, climate resilience, wildlife connectivity, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program allowing certain hydrogen internal combustion cargo-handling equipment at ports; supporters said it could help ports stay competitive while reducing emissions, while South Coast AQMD raised concerns about possible nitrogen oxide emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote to the Natural Resources Committee. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to incorporate community resilience indicators, including socioeconomic factors, into climate vulnerability assessments; supporters from Greenlining, AARP, and others said it would better protect seniors, people with disabilities, and transit users during heat waves and disasters, while some members questioned the cost during a tight budget year. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations, with some members not voting. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph and give local agencies more flexibility in how the limit is posted and enforced; supporters cited child pedestrian deaths and safety research, and the bill passed 11-0 to Appropriations. AB 902, as amended, would require transportation projects in wildlife connectivity areas to include wildlife passage features where feasible; supporters emphasized reduced collisions and habitat fragmentation, while the California Building Industry Association and COGs moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. It passed 9-1 to Local Government. AB 1014 would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule; supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tourist areas, and the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. AB 1022 would end towing or booting vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, with supporters describing the practice as punitive and harmful to low-income drivers, while cities and parking groups argued it would weaken enforcement and create problems for out-of-state vehicles. The bill passed 9-3 to Appropriations. AB 1423 would require publicly funded EV chargers to meet reliability standards and allow enforcement of uptime requirements; supporters said taxpayers need functioning chargers, while charging-industry opponents objected to retroactive standards and possible conflicts with existing agreements. The bill passed 14-0 to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills by voice vote and held roll calls open for additional members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:14:26.720> internet economy run on a reliable internet economy run on a reliable internet
• <03:55:08.640> and the security, reliability and the security, reliability and interoperability
• <03:55:17.120> and security reliability and security reliability and interoperability<03:55
• <03:55:33.040> and ensure optimal security, reliability and ensure optimal security, reliability
• ,<03:58:26.720> and security, reliability, and security, reliability, and interoperability

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, one compelling area of an emerging field of study is electric vehicles, particularly battery
• electric vehicle crash testing.
• number of electric vehicles on the roads presents new challenges for infrastructure.
• providing a significant appropriation that may seed an endowment that would provide a permanent reliable
• An endowment of this kind would provide the technical colleges with the financial stability to reliably

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll start building out data centers and electricity generation needed for further development.
• electric vehicle, crash testing.
• number of electric vehicles on the roads presents new challenges for infrastructure.
• Disaster and Emergency Services, and chair of your Texas Energy Reliability Council, and chair... of
• An endowment of this kind would provide the technical colleges with the financial stability to reliably

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, states that electric energy storage facilities are not eligible.
• Generate electricity, and it's the only reliable proven alternative to batteries.
• We inject the water into the hot rocks, and we generate electricity.
• It states that an electric energy storage facility is not eligible.
• So we know that gas is the marginal fuel that sets the price of electricity in the market.

Bills: HB111

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Class A, underground. facilities are those that distribute electrical energy, natural gas, petroleum
• CenterPoint Energy is a combined. gas and electric delivery companies serving 2.8 million electric customers
• The class A's, class A. utilities such as telecommunications, broadband, electric, gas lines.
• So although SAWS maintains a highly detailed and reliable mapping system, the absence of those tracing
• If that's electrical and whatnot, it gives them that direction that they need to take it. extra step

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But things like reliability, right? It's something that folks don't really think about.
• And Vogel is now the largest generator of electricity.
• Originally, one mill per kilowatt-hour was charged on the cost of nuclear electricity.
• Oklo's model is to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy on a global scale.
• So, Oklo's model is to provide clean, reliable, affordable energy on a global scale.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. reliability and uh also a a distributed reliability and uh
• customer own generation electric customer own generation electric vehicles<01:44:19.000> um
• manager for New Hampshire Electric manager for New Hampshire Electric Cooperative<02:13:07.320><
• Imagine a customer has solar instead of purchasing electricity from the electric distribution system.
• Imagine a customer has solar instead of purchasing electricity from the electric distribution system.

Keywords: 1189, house, all