Video & Transcript Research : 'interconnection'

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TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 23rd, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • for 100% of its direct cost to interconnect.
  • Of its direct cost to interconnect.
  • and the interconnection standards rule.
  • My members, that's a real small subset of the interconnection queue.
  • They want to have their interconnection all set.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 9th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • On slide three, I get into the large load interconnection requests.
  • Their interconnection process would be the one that would be used, not ours.
  • If you wanted to seek service, you went through your interconnected utility.
  • They'd approve the interconnection.
  • So the planning and interconnection processes don't align.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 9th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Frankly, they don't even have a plan for interconnection or power.
  • They'd approve the interconnection.
  • And that was the large load interconnection study system.
  • , the interconnecting utilities, housed at ERCOT.
  • So the planning and interconnection processes don't align.
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • On slide three, I get into the large load interconnection requests.
  • They'd approve the interconnection.
  • And that was the Large Load Interconnection Study system.
  • , the interconnecting utilities, and housed it at ERCOT.
  • So the planning and interconnection processes don't align.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 1st, 2026

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • The interconnection of Texas, having sort of a limited number of transmission interconnections to other
  • The interconnection of Texas having sort of a limited number of transmission 2355 interconnections to
  • There are reports of these interconnecting agencies, or the companies that represent these interconnecting
  • agencies, because every interconnecting agency, most interconnecting agencies, are developed particularly
  • interconnection standards rule, this was 4472 Secondly, the large load interconnection standards rule
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's where the interconnected system comes from as well.
  • Interconnectivity, the... ...interconnectivity, the interconnective system, and that's what I wrote down
  • The interconnection of Texas, having sort of a limited number of transmission interconnections to other
  • There are reports of these interconnecting agencies, or the companies that represent these interconnecting
  • agencies, because every interconnecting agency—most interconnecting agencies are developed particularly
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (06/10/2025)

Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • upgrades and for interconnection upgrades and for interconnection upgrades<00:15:10.000> rather
  • for larger interconnections.
  • for larger interconnections.
  • for larger interconnections.
  • for larger interconnections.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 1st, 2026

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, inner, connectivity, the interconnected system.
  • The interconnection of Texas having a limited number of transmission interconnections to other entities
  • There are reports of these interconnecting agencies or the companies that represent these interconnecting
  • agencies because every interconnecting agency, most interconnecting agencies are, are developed particularly
  • If you look at the generation interconnection queue.
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.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • How do we handle this question of delayed interconnection?
  • How does flexible interconnection assist with the problem of interconnection delays?
  • I'll first establish that I'm certainly not the expert on flexible interconnection.
  • So interconnection... ...the grid at times of solar overcapacity.
  • So interconnection is a part of S. 2269. I think, excuse me, that's S. 2269.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Mar 12th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so it will be an interconnection charge for new loads, and it will be determined by the PUC and ERCOT
  • For all interconnections, as they look and see what is the specific impact on the grid for that connection
  • , for an interconnection request for 60 megawatts, knowing they would be larger than that and then coming
  • , for an interconnection request for 60 megawatts. knowing for an interconnection request for 60 megawatts
  • So when they're working with their local utility in their interconnection request, they set milestones
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met to consider and vote on a committee substitute for Senate Bill 6, which Senator King said was intended to address rapidly growing electricity demand from large loads such as data centers while protecting reliability and keeping costs from shifting to homeowners and small businesses. He described the bill as a response to updated ERCOT and PUC forecasts showing much higher generation needs than previously expected. Senator King outlined several substantive changes in the substitute: replacing a minimum transmission charge with an upfront interconnection charge for new large loads; requiring the PUC to conduct a more detailed 4CP evaluation and adopt rules based on it; expanding load-forecasting data collection to smaller loads and standardizing criteria for interconnections; removing an exemption from ERCOT/PUC reliability review for certain net metering arrangements; making some PUC conditions temporary and limiting intervenors in those proceedings; and requiring utilities to work with large load customers on protocols and equipment for firm load shed participation. He also noted technical changes meant to close loopholes, including changing references from “duplicate” to “substantially similar” projects and from “affiliated” to “unaffiliated.” Senator Menendez asked for clarification on several provisions, including whether stranded infrastructure costs applied to generation or only transmission, how “single site” would be defined, how ERCOT-directed curtailment and notice would work, and what “load ramp milestones” meant. King responded that the bill was meant to cover both distribution and transmission-level loads, that the PUC would define certain terms through rulemaking, that large customers would work with utilities in advance on flexible load and backup generation arrangements, and that ramp milestones would help utilities plan for phased growth in demand. After questions concluded, Senator King moved adoption of the committee substitute and passage of SB 6 as substituted. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full Senate.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we understand the concerns that have been raised regarding interconnection.
  • The Commission is currently considering refinements to the interconnection process.
  • It has been good to see progress on interconnection timelines for projects that have minimal upgrades
  • We recently issued a scoping memo that really prioritizes this issue around interconnection timelines
  • Is that the case with all interconnection cases, or is that limited to that specific case?
Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (01/13/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • metering and interconnections. metering and interconnections.
  • we have oversight over interconnections. we have oversight over interconnections.
  • suggesting that uh the interconnection suggesting that uh the interconnection rule<00:42:17.280>
  • costs of interconnection. costs of interconnection.
  • other things that are interconnecting other things that are interconnecting within<01:01:35.599>
Keywords: 1189, house, all
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee Meeting Jun 23rd, 2026

Environment, Energy & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is a stay on large-load interconnection, and there will be no large-load interconnections anytime
  • , and having 25% of its backup power from clean energy technology energized and interconnected.
  • And thirdly, having entered energy... ...technology energized and interconnected.
  • That would say that the PSC will lift that stay on a large rate interconnection until July 1st.
  • There is time to work on it with the stay on large load interconnections.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached. Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also want to highlight the reforms to the interconnection process.
  • Interconnection reform has long been a priority of NAIOP.
  • and timelines for interconnection.
  • Those projects finally have their interconnection agreements, but they won't actually be interconnected
  • A major issue in DER is a delay in doing interconnections.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (01/27/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • up front you're paying interconnection up front you're paying interconnection costs<04:11:37.199
  • full payment of direct interconnection full payment of direct interconnection costs<04:19:07.520
  • <04:51:49.680> Y interconnection costs. Yes. Ready? Y interconnection costs. Yes. Ready?
  • case, what would the interconnection case, what would the interconnection scenario<04:54:02.798>
  • <04:59:26.480> But to interconnect to our system. But to interconnect to our system.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • minimum transmission charge has been replaced with an upfront charge for all new. large loads interconnecting
  • And so it will be an interconnection charge for new loads and it will. be determined by the PUC and RCOT
  • And again, it will be obviously different for all. interconnections as they look and see what is the
  • but also we didn't want someone. gaming the system and coming in and filing for bankruptcy. or interconnection
  • for an interconnection request for 60 megawatts, knowing they would. be larger than that.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Mar 11th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • not restrict the ability of municipal-owned utilities to retain full discretion over resource interconnection
  • SB 1252, installations must still meet the requirements from the connecting utility in their interconnection
  • The MOUs have their own interconnection processes that are akin to the interconnection processes in Encore
  • The MOUs have their own interconnection processes that are akin to the interconnection processes in Encore
  • No safety compromise: installations still follow the NEC, state licensing rules, and utility interconnection
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, first reporting SB 1006 favorably after adopting a committee substitute that adds quarterly ZIP-code-level reporting to TDI on insurer declinations, cancellations, and nonrenewals. The committee also adopted substitutes and favorably reported SB 388, which adds nuclear to a credit program and excludes batteries from the dispatchable definition; SB 917; SB 504, which narrows reporting requirements for certain local entities, raises a salary threshold, and authorizes AG injunctive relief; SB 925, which clarifies that federal match dollars are included in a PLA-related prohibition; and SB 815, which removes downcoding references and focuses on AI use in prior authorization. SB 815 advanced on an 8-2 vote, while SB 388 advanced 6-3 and the others were reported 9-0 or 6-0 as noted. The committee then heard testimony on SB 378, which would prohibit aestheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections or using prescriptive medical devices unless legally authorized and would clarify TDLR disciplinary authority. The author and a retired neurosurgeon testified that unsafe, unauthorized injections pose real patient risks, and a TDLR witness said the bill addresses a long-standing regulatory gap. SB 378 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard SB 1252, aimed at reducing municipal permitting barriers for residential backup power systems; the author and industry witnesses said city permitting is costly and inconsistent, while municipal utility representatives and advocates said the substitute preserved safety and utility oversight. That bill was also left pending. Additional bills heard but left pending included SB 1172, which would let LPs and LLCs sell their own property without a real estate license; SB 681, which would extend engineer license renewal periods and apply similar flexibility to engineering firms; SB 918, a TDLR cleanup bill for orthotics and prosthetics exemptions; SB 1343, which would require data brokers to post a clear link explaining Texans’ privacy rights and how to exercise them; SB 213, which would prohibit forced bundling of residential property and auto insurance while preserving voluntary discounts; SB 610, which would codify TDLR’s anti-trafficking unit; and SCR 8, expressing opposition to a central bank digital currency over privacy, security, and financial-stability concerns. Public testimony on SB 1343 and SB 213 was generally supportive, with consumer and advocacy groups emphasizing privacy, competition, and survivor safety, and the committee closed the day with those measures and others left pending.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Section 8 includes several important provisions to further standardize and expedite interconnection.
  • Right now, solar developers have to pay 100 percent of their interconnection payments in cash.
  • And then Sections 7 and 8 deal with interconnection.
  • The flexible interconnection piece of that is almost word for word the same in the Governor's bill.
  • And meanwhile, use a bond, which has a carrying cost of like 1% to pay that interconnection.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • handling issues like interconnection handling issues like interconnection disputes,<01:25:40.080
  • This position interconnection processes.
  • Uh but we expect to see interconnected.
  • system for solar interconnection. So system for solar interconnection.
  • So for those um solar interconnections.
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/08/2026)

Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, if we're talking about interconnection, these are interconnected.
  • Uh, if we're talking about interconnection, these are interconnected.
  • Uh, if we're talking about interconnection, these are interconnected.
  • are interconnected. interconnected. interconnected.
  • > interconnection.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all