Video & Transcript Research : 'subsurface energy'
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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:
- We are facing an energy crisis.
- extreme barriers to actually create that energy.
- Energy creation.
- , high-quality clean energy positions.
- energy workers.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them.
Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- If you look at the energy output just on a day like today, what today needs on the energy market versus
- generation and energy consumption.
- unique impacts that has on our energy unique impacts that has on our energy generation<00:03:41.680
- >
and <00:03:41.879>energy generation and energy generation and energy consumption<00:03 - <00:04:27.400>
has conversation and you know XL Energy has conversation and you know XL Energy
Summary:
The House Energy Finance and Policy Committee met to approve the January 16 minutes and then heard House File 9, which was referred to the Committee on Taxes after the committee’s action. The bill was presented as an energy policy measure aimed at reliability and affordability. It would expand hydroelectric power’s eligibility under the state’s energy standard, delay certain carbon-free compliance requirements for utilities that do not meet a retail rate benchmark, prohibit local permits to demolish fossil fuel plants under certain conditions, state support for carbon capture and sequestration without creating a state funding obligation, end the nuclear moratorium, and expand the sales tax exemption for residential natural gas and electricity used as primary heat year-round starting after June 30, 2026. The committee also took up and adopted the A1 author’s amendment, which clarified that the carbon capture language does not obligate state spending.
The bill’s sponsor argued that Minnesota’s current energy policy is driving up costs and threatening reliability, especially during extreme cold, and said the bill would create “off-ramps” from existing mandates to protect ratepayers and businesses. He cited reliability concerns, MISO/NERC risk assessments, rising utility rates, and the need for an all-of-the-above energy approach, including hydro and nuclear. He also said the bill would reduce taxes by broadening the sales tax exemption for residential heating.
Testimony was mixed but generally focused on reliability, affordability, and the role of nuclear power. The Minnesota Rural Electric Association and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce supported the bill’s emphasis on keeping power reliable and affordable, with both saying Minnesota needs dispatchable, carbon-free resources and noting concerns about high electricity costs and future demand from data centers and AI. The Prairie Island Indian Community opposed lifting the nuclear moratorium without a viable waste solution, describing the long-term burden of spent nuclear fuel on its community and asking for more consultation. Xcel Energy said its nuclear plants have operated safely and reliably for decades, support low-cost and low-carbon power, and could be part of the state’s energy transition, but it emphasized the need for tribal participation and said decisions about retiring fossil plants should remain within the existing Public Utilities Commission resource planning process.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/26/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- system and our energy economy, or giving communities a voice in our energy future.
- system and our energy economy, or giving communities a voice in our energy future.
- <00:06:41.560>
System advancing Equity of our Energy System advancing Equity of our Energy - But is the energy assistance a program part of her plan to keep energy affordable?
- But is the energy assistance a program part of her plan to keep energy affordable?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 11/24/25
Transcript Highlights:
- to cause motans's energy bills to go up. to cause motans's energy bills to go up.
- <00:52:38.559>
Um with less energy required. Um with less energy required. - is what did happen with Minnesota’s energy policy. energy, too.
- We will not allow hydro energy as clean energy in our state.
- , energy costs or energy subsidizing, energy costs or energy subsidizing, um<01:09:21.040>
if<
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to establish a supplemental energy assistance program, HF771, heard in energy committee 3/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- A good measure of affordability is energy burden, the percent of household income that's spent on energy
- for energy for energy consumers<00:04:03.319>
um <00:04:04.040>we've <00:04:04.200> - lower incomes and higher energy lower incomes and higher energy costs<00:04:40.919>
um <00 - <00:15:51.360>
assistance the director of the energy assistance the director of the energy - Representative Craft said that the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy researched energy
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 7th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That was prepared by Clean Energy Economy Minnesota and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.
- In the energy world, you often hear that the cheapest energy is that which you do not use.
- We're told that energy you don't use is some of the most efficient energy you can save.
- The green energy economy...
- Today we get to talk about energy, so I'm going to bring some energy to the room.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/03/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Community solar garden named for Melissa Hortman 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- with regard to a clean energy future. with regard to a clean energy future. naming<00:08:17.039>
- energy industry in Minnesota. energy industry in Minnesota.
- solar program as part of the 2013 energy solar program as part of the 2013 energy omnibus<00:18:
- . energy. energy.
- the state's most impactful clean energy the state's most impactful clean energy achievements.<00
Summary:
House File 3556 was presented as a bill to rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, which was said to have helped launch Minnesota’s solar industry and expand access to clean energy. The bill was moved to the general register before testimony began.
Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar developers all supported the bill. They described Hortman as the original legislative champion of the 2013 community solar law and a driving force behind the 2023 revisions that increased access for low- and moderate-income households. Several witnesses said the program has become a national model, has generated jobs and investment, and has enabled renters, small businesses, schools, nonprofits, and households without suitable rooftops to participate in solar.
Witnesses also shared personal reflections about Hortman’s accessibility, preparation, and willingness to listen, saying she treated people with respect and helped shape a durable clean energy policy framework. No opposition testimony or votes on final passage were recorded in the excerpt, but the committee did act to advance the bill to the general register.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Energy choice means a reliable and consistent energy supply.
- energy choice is what is at stake here. energy choice is what is at stake here.
- energy source fails.
- Energy choice is what is at stake here. Energy choice means reliable and consistent energy supply.
- c> um,<00:19:33.919>
and how energy using energy well, um, and how energy using energy well
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
The Debate Around Expanding Nuclear Energy in MN / Supporting Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Mar 9th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Some risk, no matter what form of energy that we use. There's risks in renewable energy.
- <00:15:57.240>
wind of 100% of how we generate energy wind of 100% of how we generate energy - Minnesota what we've done for XL Energy Minnesota what we've done for XL Energy which<00:17:36.160
- point to that has made nuclear energy point to that has made nuclear energy safer<00:20:32.760><
- enhance our country's energy enhance our country's energy Independence<00:26:57.919>
right
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Jan 28th, 2025
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Ricky Lee Chavez on behalf of the Inner West Energy Alliance for the sake of our new renewable energy
- And also represent Pattern Energy, which is building the largest renewable energy project anywhere in
- I believe in diversified energy, but not in one in place of the other, meaning diversified energy in
- energy system.
- Battery energy storage systems in your home are like energy efficiency programs on steroids.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session - Part 1 - 05/09/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Energy Alley funds our clean energy businesses.
- Energy Alley funds our clean energy businesses.
- One, to lower people's energy bills. One, to lower people's energy bills.
- This is the energy bill.
- energies. That makes sense. energies. That makes sense.
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:
- To meet demand while achieving the state's energy goals, Massachusetts must scale energy storage.
- All of these candidates ran on clean energy and energy affordability and pointed to corporate profits
- us to rely heavily on domestically produced energy from solar, from wind, and regionally produced energy
- The drop is because, one, energy efficiency... The drop is because, one, energy efficiency.
- And what is not energy affordability?
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards.
The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs.
Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force Jun 29th, 2026 at 10:00 am
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (06/10/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- We want an infrastructure to support energy, business, the energy economy.
- We want an infrastructure to support energy, business, the energy economy.
- Solar energy.
- They're energy hogs.
- <00:57:23.920>
independence energy independence energy independence energy<00:57:25.920>that
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- He also said that energy, and treasury for that matter, but especially energy, is of the highest level
- He said he likes the idea of having a separate Department of Energy focused on energy, not just nuclear
- Energy Advisory Council.
- , and the energy office does for energy efficiency.
- now does for lot on the policy issues as DENREC now does for you know the energy office does for energy
Summary:
The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives.
Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad.
The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee Meeting Jun 23rd, 2026
Environment, Energy & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- At the Energy, Environment and Transportation Committee back in March, on At the Energy, Environment
- to our state's low-income charge, green energy fund, and our Bloom energy charge.
- large, for large energy users.
- mix and its ability to provide energy reliability and strengthen the grid, reducing energy costs for
- mix and its ability to provide energy reliability and strengthening the grid, reducing energy costs
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Repealing requirement to adopt a new residential energy code 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- net energy consumption compared to the 2006 energy use index for Minnesota.
- Minnesota's residential energy code Minnesota's residential energy code hasn't<00:03:01.280>
- as they pay for that energy.
- as as they pay for that energy. as as they pay for that energy.
- codes and energy point out that energy codes and energy efficiency<00:10:03.839>
measures <00:
Summary:
Representative Mecklin moved House File 3545 to the general register and offered a DE amendment that removed the commissioner’s authority to choose a more efficient standard and removed the requirement that the 2038 residential energy code achieve a 70% reduction in annual net energy consumption compared with the 2006 energy use index. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was then discussed as amended. Mecklin said the bill was intended to address home affordability, arguing that energy code requirements add to housing costs and make it harder for younger Minnesotans to buy homes.
Several testifiers opposed the bill, including representatives from the Center for Energy and the Environment, AIA Minnesota, Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, Housing First Minnesota, and ARXUS. They argued that energy codes are not a primary driver of housing costs, that stronger codes do not slow housing production, and that more efficient homes lower utility bills and improve comfort, safety, resilience, and climate outcomes. Testifiers cited studies and examples showing payback over time, including estimates that efficiency upgrades could pay for themselves in five to nine years and save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years. The Department of Labor and Industry said it had concerns about the bill because it would move away from a more energy-efficient standard and could create unintended consequences in the code adoption process, though it said the current technical advisory group process already considers cost concerns.
Members questioned the cost and savings estimates, especially the comparison between higher upfront mortgage costs and lower utility bills. Fresh Energy explained that its figures were based on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Slipstream analyses using a typical Minnesota home and that the savings were modeled over time. Representative Johnson expressed skepticism about the assumptions behind the savings numbers and argued that utility costs are not the main barrier to homeownership. The chair said the committee intended to take a vote on the bill that day, but the transcript ends before any final vote or disposition is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/29/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- . energy. energy.
- is sources of energy to where energy is sources of energy to where energy is needed.<06:13:30.878
- all sources of energy truly have. all sources of energy truly have.
- We don't get all our energy here from New Hampshire energy production.
- We don't get all our energy here from New Hampshire energy production.
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:
- So thanks to the work of our legislature in the 2022 Clean Energy Bill and Act Driving Clean Energy and
- It drives energy innovation.
- It is, I mean, you could call it energy independence, energy abundance, but it is a local, low-cost energy
- preventing wasteful energy ...renters and homeowners low-cost clean energy, preventing wasteful energy
- Energy burdens are the percent of income spent on energy.
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.