Video & Transcript Research : 'ethanol'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House tax panel hears bill to expand tax incentives for producing sustainable aviation fuel 4/8/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He said ethanol and gas lead had a lot of similar promises and followed through on some of them, but
- ethanol demand also lowered overall food production by diverting agricultural land into ethanol production
- He said ethanol and gas lead had a lot of similar promises and followed through on some of them, but
- ethanol demand also lowered overall food production by diverting agricultural land into ethanol production
- . um it has land into ethanol production. um it has created<00:46:03.680>
more <00:46:03.920>
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1669, adopting the DE2 amendment, which was described as the bill itself. The amended bill would expand Minnesota’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit by increasing annual allocations, extending the sunset date from 2030 to 2035, adding an extra credit for lower-carbon fuels, and adding environmental and other qualifying requirements. The chair noted the amendment aligned the bill with the governor’s proposal, and the amendment was approved on a voice vote.
Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Commissioner Tom Peterson of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture backed the bill as a way to preserve Minnesota’s leadership in SAF, attract private investment, and keep crop and timber feedstocks processed in-state. Farmers and agricultural groups, including Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Farm Bureau, said SAF could create new domestic markets for crops such as corn, soybeans, winter camelina, and pennycress while improving farm income and supporting climate-smart practices. Forestry representatives argued that wood waste and forest residue could be turned into SAF, improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk.
Environmental and clean-energy groups also supported the bill, emphasizing the added guardrails. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Fresh Energy said the amendments would better protect water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate outcomes by favoring lower-carbon SAF and limiting harmful land-use change. University of Minnesota Forever Green representatives said winter-hardy crops could scale over time, and they pointed to ongoing commercialization work and a 1 Million Acre Scaling Study. Labor and construction groups said the bill would support major infrastructure investment and create long-term jobs, with testimony citing the first Minnesota SAF facility already announced and the potential for multiple hubs statewide.
No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided, but the committee heard extensive supportive testimony and questions focused on scalability, infrastructure, and how the credit would accelerate SAF development in Minnesota.
TX
Bills:
HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150
Keywords:
HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Community Affairs Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- No, I think we're defining what the purpose is, or we're defining what the production of ethanol is,
- I think what we wanted to do was to be able to define ethanol production and how it takes place and how
- I think what we wanted to do was to be able to define ethanol production and how it takes place and how
- I've gotten a lot of concerns about the ethanol thing, particularly.
- I've gotten a lot of concerns about the ethanol thing, particularly from beachside communities today.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1134, which would extend and clarify the use of qualified private providers and computer-based tools in the building permit and inspection process for residential solar energy systems. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long delays in solar permitting and make the process faster and cheaper; Senator Pizzo questioned whether the problem was limited to specific local governments, and a late-filed amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted. After brief testimony from an industry representative supporting the measure, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no.
Next, the committee considered SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats and new development. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would bar fee collection if the local government fails to act within five business days. County representatives said they wanted to keep working on the bill and raised concerns about the private-provider language and the short deadlines, while several senators discussed whether the process should be handled earlier on the front end. The committee then reported the bill favorably.
The committee also passed SB 1738 on transportation concurrency, which would let counties that previously opted out of concurrency opt back in by maintaining current levels of service. SB 1080, a local government land regulation bill, was described as a measure to speed development approvals by setting stricter timelines, limiting repeated information requests, and imposing penalties for noncompliance; local-government testimony opposed it as a loss of local control, while builders supported it. After debate, SB 1080 was reported favorably. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members discussed possible adjustments to avoid burdening county budget negotiations.
Finally, the committee took up SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, policies, programs, offices, or contracts, and would expose officials to misfeasance/malfeasance claims and local governments to lawsuits. The sponsor said the amendment removed retroactive language, delayed the effective date, and added definitions and contract-certification requirements, but many senators and public speakers argued the bill was overbroad, vague, and would chill local efforts such as Black History Month, women-owned business programs, minority contracting, and community outreach. Supporters said it would ensure merit-based government action and consistency with state standards. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition testimony and debate over its scope and potential conflict with federal and state law.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- and then looking at what we're doing, it says, 'For the purpose of this section, the production of ethanol
- No, I think we're defining what the purpose is, or we're defining what the production of ethanol is,
- then looking at what we're doing now, it says for the purpose of this section, the production of ethanol
- No, I think we're defining what the, what the purpose of, or we're defining what the production of ethanol
- I think what we wanted to do was to be able to define ethanol production and how it takes place and how
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1134, which would extend the use of qualified private providers in the building permit process to residential solar energy systems and certain single-trade inspections, and would allow computer-based plan review tools. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce long solar permitting delays and lower costs. A late amendment clarifying the word “application” was adopted, and after some discussion about local permitting problems and the need to work with municipalities, CS/SB 1134 was reported favorably, with Senator Pizzo voting no.
The committee then took up SB 784, dealing with issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers for plats. The bill sets a 14-day timeframe, and an amendment was adopted that would allow use of a private provider if the deadline is missed and would limit fee collection if verification is not completed. Members discussed whether the bill should include more flexibility and whether private providers are appropriate for this function, but the committee ultimately reported CS/SB 784 favorably. SB 1738, allowing counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in while maintaining current levels of service, was also reported favorably without significant opposition.
Next, SB 1080 on local government land regulation was presented as a measure to speed up development permit and order approvals, limit repeated information requests, prevent hearing delays, and impose penalties for noncompliance. Local government testimony argued it would rush planning and weaken public input, while supporters called it common-sense streamlining. After debate, the bill was reported favorably, with several no votes. SB 1260, which clarifies county constitutional officer budget procedures and creates an appeal process for clerks and supervisors of elections similar to that used by sheriffs, was also reported favorably after members raised concerns about county budget timelines.
Finally, the committee considered SB 420, as amended by a strike-all, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting or funding DEI-related ordinances, programs, or policies, while carving out compliance with state and federal law and defining DEI-related terms. The amendment removed retroactivity and delayed the effective date, but members from both parties raised concerns about vague definitions, impacts on women- and minority-owned business programs, local commemorations, and the loss of attorney’s fees for prevailing counties. Public testimony was sharply divided, with many speakers opposing the bill as an attack on local control and inclusion, and a few supporting it as a merit-based standard. The amendment was adopted, but the bill drew extensive opposition in debate and was not yet reported in the portion of the transcript provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on the Transportation Costs and Impact of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Aug 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there more renewable diesel or more ethanol? Or more hydrogen?
- States is 10% ethanol and 90% fossil gasoline.
- And that's the brown down at the bottom is ethanol.
- And so we've sort of gone through this debate a decade ago with ethanol, when corn ethanol expanded hugely
- So, you know, ethanol—I'd say California has not contributed to the expansion of the amount of ethanol
Summary:
The hearing was a select committee discussion on the transportation costs and impacts of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), with opening remarks from the co-chairs and members emphasizing affordability, climate goals, and the need to explain the program’s benefits to the public. The first panel from CARB and the California Energy Commission described how LCFS works as a market-based, declining carbon-intensity program that rewards lower-carbon fuels, supports zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and is intended to reduce greenhouse gases and local air pollution. They argued the program has driven billions in private investment, increased alternative fuel use, and that LCFS credit prices are not the main driver of retail gasoline prices, which they said are dominated by crude oil, refining, and distribution costs.
Members questioned the panel on the gap between the regulatory target and actual carbon-intensity performance, the role of credit banking, which fuels are generating the most credits, how the 2025 amendments affected the program, and whether LCFS credits are truly additional. CARB explained that banking helps cost-effectiveness and investment certainty, that ethanol, renewable diesel, and biodiesel currently provide the largest volumes while electricity is expected to grow, and that the updated targets were informed by the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goals and the 2030 scoping plan. The Energy Commission said its data show environmental programs add some cost to gasoline but do not drive price volatility, which is mainly tied to crude oil and refinery margins.
The second panel, featuring academic and research experts, focused on program design, out-of-state credit generation, and broader economic effects. Speakers said LCFS is successful because it ties incentives to emissions benefit, uses life-cycle analysis, and allows flexible compliance that lowers costs compared with more direct regulation. They also said the program’s benefits generally outweigh costs, that it can reduce air pollution disparities and support equity, but that some issues—especially indirect land use change, additionality, and older program assumptions—need more research and may warrant future rulemaking. One researcher noted that while LCFS likely raises gasoline prices somewhat, the effect is uncertain by design and usually smaller than normal market fluctuations, and another warned that limiting credit generation too narrowly could create legal and efficiency problems.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- E85 is a blend of ethanol and gasoline. It is a lower-carbon fuel option that typically costs less.
- E85 is a blend of ethanol and gasoline.
- Ethanol blends, particularly E85, offer immediate and meaningful relief.
- Ethanol helps diversify that system.
- Increasing the use of ethanol blends adds stability to California's fuel market and helps reduce pressure
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The fuel, ethanol and biodiesel production incentive program was created.
- second bill that was passed, HB 2582, the fee charged was 3.2 cents per gallon, whether it was for ethanol
- under the two bills is under the House Bill 2318, producers were entitled to 20 cents per gallon ethanol
- But under the later bill, the producer was, was entitled to 20 cents for ethanol, methane, or biodiesel
- So whether it be in the three we've talked about so far were ethanol, methane, and biodiesel.
Bills:
HB294
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Mar 31st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Three ethanol...
- process equipment and capturing CO2 to lower the carbon intensity scores for ethanol produced.
- or six years they will probably be the largest producing ethanol facility in the upper Midwest.
- It is a fund that was used primarily in the countercyclical ethanol fund originally.
- they've always been told there's not enough water in the Oaks area to support an ethanol plant.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (10/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- , to, you know, the the threat of ethanol, to, you know, the the threat of ethanol, you<01:28:40.880
- House Bill 454 requiring that retailers of fuel blended with 15% ethanol also offer fuel blended with
- 10% or lower ethanol content.
- <01:32:14.800>
also of fuel blended with 15% ethanol also of fuel blended with 15% ethanol - ethanol content. Uh and who did I have? ethanol content. Uh and who did I have?
Summary:
The committee first took up a liquor-related amendment correcting an earlier drafting error that had accidentally removed enhanced penalties for death-related over-service from the statute. Members explained that the language had already been enacted briefly before being deleted by mistake, and the amendment simply restored the prior penalty provisions. The committee voted unanimously in favor. A second liquor amendment followed, concerning VFW and similar veterans’ clubs. The revised language would allow a veteran or member to sign in a limited number of under-21 guests, with testimony emphasizing that this was meant for small events and would mirror existing restaurant rules requiring a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse. There was extended debate about whether private clubs were sufficiently public, whether towns could tighten liquor rules locally, and whether enforcement would be effective. Liquor enforcement testified that municipalities must approve licenses, only four minors could be signed in at once under a member’s signature, age-restriction signage remains required, and clubs often report violations themselves to protect their licenses. The amendment was ultimately approved unanimously, and the subcommittee then moved into executive session.
In executive session, HB 186, relating to cannabis legalization, regulation, and appropriations, was recommended ought to pass on a 10-7 vote, with a minority report noted. HB 241, relating to treatment alternatives to opioids, was then supported with amendment 2990 and recommended ought to pass as amended; the bill was described as expanding access to non-opioid, non-surgical, and non-medication pain treatments, while the amendment clarified Insurance Department procedures and educational materials. That bill was placed on the consent calendar unanimously. HB 297, concerning access by self-funded employer health plans to claims data, was also recommended ought to pass with amendment 2987 and then ought to pass as amended unanimously; supporters said it would let employers opt in to deidentified claims data, improve transparency, and preserve privacy. It too was placed on the consent calendar unanimously.
The committee then considered HB 312, dealing with student-athlete name, image, and likeness compensation, and voted to send it to interim study. Members said the issue remained too uncertain because of ongoing federal and NCAA developments, and that interim study would keep the committee’s options open without killing the bill. The motion was supported as a way to continue monitoring the issue for future action.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- plants and some of the large storage tanks in the ethanol plants, so just tie that up maybe similarly
- plants and some of the um with ethanol plants and some of the um large<01:29:20.560>
um <01:29 - large um storage tanks in the ethanol large um storage tanks in the ethanol plants<01:29:23.560>
- were close Senator Nelson the ethanol were close Senator Nelson the ethanol tanks<01:34:41.719><
- and other so U thank picked up ethanol and other so U thank you<01:35:17.880>
Mr <01:35:18.440
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/12/26 - Part 3
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And do you know home to poet ethanol.
- We have 17 ethanol in this state.
- We have 17 ethanol ethanol ethanol producers<03:06:25.200>
in <03:06:25.520>Minnesota <03 - <03:07:12.960>
plants things may go away if our ethanol plants things may go away if our ethanol - farm farmers who grow corn for ethanol. farm farmers who grow corn for ethanol.
Summary:
The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring parental involvement for minors using platforms in Minnesota. Early on, members reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13) after first rejecting a narrower amendment to the amendment (A18) on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then offered a technical amendment (A14) to address liability and drafting concerns, but withdrew it after saying it contained an unintended drafting error and could create legal problems, including issues around data collection and rulemaking.
During third reading debate, supporters described the bill as a first step to protect children from addictive social media design, online exploitation, and harmful data practices. Representative Scott said the bill would require parental consent and limit addictive features for child accounts, while emphasizing that the consent language must be prominent and that the bill’s effective date would not begin until next July. Representative Enen, Representative Feist, Representative Greenman, and others backed the measure as a bipartisan effort to hold big tech accountable and protect kids, though Greenman also noted that the legislature had not shown the same willingness to confront gun violence.
Opponents and skeptics raised concerns that the bill relies on parents understanding complex legal and technical terms, that it may not fully protect children, and that it could still leave gaps around liability and privacy. Representative Leeing questioned why the bill does not simply restrict addictive features for all children and asked about parental waivers and location tracking; Scott responded that the bill uses IP address information and does not specifically address liability waivers, but said the measure is a policy choice intended to empower parents. The debate ended with broad support from several members, and the bill was presented as likely to pass, though no final vote on the bill itself was included in the excerpt.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Anderson, just a quick question: does your bill address anything to do with ethanol production
- Representative Anderson, just a quick question: does your bill address anything to do with ethanol production
- Representative Anderson, just a quick question: does your bill address anything to do with ethanol production
- does your bill address anything to do does your bill address anything to do with<00:09:48.360>
ethanol - and the with ethanol production and the potential<00:09:50.399>
damage <00:09:51.399>that<
Keywords:
Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy May 18th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- transportation as well as storage projects, and most of these are clustered in the Gulf Coast, in the Midwest ethanol-growing
- So ethanol and some gas processing streams are relatively low cost because the CO2 is already concentrated
- So ethanol and some gas processing streams are relatively low cost because the CO2 is already concentrated
- or ammonia, or I don't know... ...sectors that are cheap, so natural gas processing or ammonia or ethanol
- CCUS is also currently operating on ethanol plants in the Midwest.
Summary:
The committee’s interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), with presenters from industry, nonprofits, and state agencies describing Washington’s geologic potential, the role of basalt formations, and the difference between point-source capture, direct air capture, utilization, and permanent storage. Industry and project developers emphasized that Washington has major opportunities to reduce industrial emissions, create jobs, and support hard-to-electrify sectors, while state agencies explained current policy touchpoints in the Cap and Invest Program, emissions exemptions for permanently stored CO2, and the Clean Energy Transformation Act. Several presenters urged clearer statutory and regulatory pathways, including rules for pore space, subsurface rights, pipeline siting, and long-term liability; others cautioned that CCUS should be limited to real emissions reductions and not treated as a substitute for broader clean energy measures.
Committee members asked about public comment opportunities, whether mineralized carbon would qualify for exemption under the Climate Commitment Act, the energy intensity of capture systems, aquifer protection, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Ecology said it is developing guidance through a public engagement process running through late June and that mineralized or otherwise permanently stored CO2 would likely qualify if it meets the 1,000-year permanence standard. DNR and outside experts also discussed trust lands, water rights, and the need for additional geophysical surveys and test wells. The panel did not take any votes or formal actions.
The second half of the meeting turned to hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility. Ecology reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described how moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste are currently collected through county facilities and events. Ecology said the electronics program is its best model, while the mercury lamp program is currently in transition after the prior stewardship organization exited and a new organization is seeking approval. Ecology recommended that future EPR programs have clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong enforcement authority.
Local government witnesses from King County and Douglas County described rising costs, access barriers in rural areas, and the need for stable funding and flexible local delivery models. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and argued that EPR could reduce costs for ratepayers and improve equity. Douglas County stressed that rural residents are willing to participate when services are available, but travel distance and operating costs make access difficult. An industry representative supported narrowly scoped stewardship programs like PaintCare but warned that broad household hazardous waste EPR systems can become difficult to administer and may require legislative revisions if responsibilities are not clearly defined. No votes were taken on the hazardous waste topic either.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the fuel, and that the higher the ethanol level is, the more corrosive it is.
- <01:36:36.159>
That's content of ethanol in the fuel. - That's content of ethanol in the fuel.
- in the fuel the higher because ethanol in the fuel the higher the<01:36:42.960>
ethanol <01:36 - level is the more corrosive the ethanol level is the more corrosive it<01:36:44.560>
is.
Bills:
HF3298
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy May 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- transportation as well as storage projects, and most of these are clustered in the Gulf Coast, in the Midwest ethanol-growing
- Ethanol-growing regions, but increasingly all over the country as well. How did we get here?
- So ethanol and some gas processing streams are relatively low cost because the CO2 is already concentrated
- the most deployment happening in sectors that are cheap, so natural gas processing or ammonia or ethanol
- CCUS is also currently operating on ethanol plants in the Midwest.
Summary:
The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections.
Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability.
The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We are optimistic that the corn ethanol to SAF production could be a new value-added market for corn.
- On behalf of our 10 ethanol producer members, I appreciate the opportunity to testify today in support
- The ethanol-to-jet pathway is both a near-term solution and a springboard for longer-term development
- producer members I appreciate ethanol producer members I appreciate the<00:53:42.559>
opportunity - Our letter documents not only that corn ethanol has been bad for the climate, but that it causes many
Keywords:
property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider committee rules for the 119th Congress, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress, designation of subcommittees for the 119th Congress, designation of member Feb 6th, 2025 at 08:50 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Cai, is the drastically unfair advantage Brazil has on U.S. ethanol exports.
- An 18% tariff on ethanol going to Brazil; however, Brazilian ethanol comes here nearly duty-free.
- The EU continues to be protectionist against U.S. ethanol.
- They've committed to substantial ethanol purchases. Has been never followed through.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Air Mobility & Aviation Economic Development Task Force (10-28-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It's mostly other biofuels: ethanol, biodiesel.
- So with ethanol, with biodiesel, there's a lot of policy that helped support those industries, develop
- bofuels uh ethanol, biodeiesel bofuels uh ethanol, biodeiesel uh<00:07:29.440>
and <00:07: - Um so with<00:09:44.800>
ethanol, <00:09:45.360>with <00:09:45.519>biodiesel, <00 - :09:46.560>
uh <00:09:46.640>there's with ethanol, with biodiesel, uh there's with ethanol
Summary:
The task force approved the October 14, 2025 meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from Austin Kaylor of WSP on alternative aviation fuels. Kaylor described an ongoing feasibility study focused on Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the other four commercial airports in Kentucky, with an eye toward both near-term use of alternative aviation fuel in existing supply chains and longer-term in-state production using local feedstocks. He said Kentucky’s current jet fuel use at the five airports is about 609 million gallons annually and could approach 1 billion gallons by 2050, and he outlined potential feedstocks such as soybeans, corn, and waste oils, along with existing logistics assets like river terminals, trucking, rail, and some pipelines. He also discussed federal and state policy support, including renewable fuel credits and the recent 45Z tax credit extension, and said the study suggests significant economic-development potential if Kentucky can leverage existing infrastructure and incentives.
Members asked about the cost of sustainable aviation fuel, whether taxpayers would be subsidizing it, and whether food crops would be diverted from food use. Kaylor responded that the market is increasingly using second-generation and waste-based feedstocks, that federal incentives can cover much of the price differential, and that SAF is a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel with some efficiency benefits. He said demand comes from both U.S. and foreign carriers, including major U.S. airlines that have made emissions-reduction commitments. Members also raised the possibility of locating production in Appalachia to create jobs closer to feedstock sources; Kaylor said that approach has worked in other states and could fit Kentucky’s logistics network.
The committee then heard from Leif Elder of the Utah Department of Transportation, who introduced himself and said he would discuss advanced air mobility legislation in Utah. The transcript cuts off before his substantive presentation, and no further votes or actions were recorded after the question-and-answer discussion on alternative aviation fuels.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you're an oil producer and you utilize CO2 from ethanol, you get a five-year incentive.
- We've got ethanol producers calling us major players that are working with us and Lynn every day.
- We've got ethanol producers calling us major players that are working with us and Lynn every day in terms
- of how do we get ethanol from other CO2 here, how do we build more plants in North Dakota.
- We have ethanol plants and coal plants. And is there enough locally that it could be truck...
Summary:
The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies.
Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash.
Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment.
The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, ethanol, gasoline had a lot of similar promises and followed through on some of them.
- The price of corn in the last three decades has risen primarily because of ethanol demand, but it has
- talk about bofuels. talk about bofuels. um<00:48:26.640>
ethanol, <00:48:27.119>gasoline - , gasoline had a lot of um ethanol, gasoline had a lot of similar<00:48:28.480>
promises <00:48 - because of ethanol uh demand, but<00:48:38.480>
it <00:48:38.800>has <00:48:38.960>
Keywords:
tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers