Transcript Highlights:

• Myself and other members of the Springfield community are grateful to see the biomass provisions in the
• Most of you, I think, heard our testimony about the threat of the biomass plant in Springfield.
• 2026 deadline, when the Palmer biomass plant would be able to get funding from municipal light plants
• The Palmer biomass plant isn't the only dangerous and polluting project that threatens our community's
• He wrote the original biomass regulations that were pressing the setting in the...

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bacteria is a biomass of Earth. It's in friends and guests.
• Bacteria is a biomass of Earth.
• That's how small they are, but yet that's the biomass that we're talking about. They're everywhere.
• So look, plastics, oil, fracking, fog, PFAS, biomass, toxic sewer, all of that—those are assets.
• So whether you're a cattle farm and it's biomass or it's human waste, if you will, or whether you are

Summary: The committee hearing focused on biosolids, sewage sludge, and PFAS contamination, with the opening remarks and first three presenters arguing that land application of municipal sludge poses serious risks to soil, water, livestock, and human health. Representative Shaw cited EPA and state data on detected pollutants and PFAS in biosolids, while Denise Travick Poyer described her background in chemical engineering and PFAS work and said the EPA’s draft sewage sludge risk assessment shows unacceptable risk at very low PFOS/PFOA levels. She urged source reduction, more testing, and consideration of total organic fluorine, and noted examples from Michigan where industrial pretreatment and source reduction reduced PFAS in biosolids. Johnson County, Texas Commissioner Larry Woolley and Investigator Dana Ames presented a case study of alleged runoff from land-applied biosolids affecting a ranch, with high PFAS readings in soil, water, fish, cattle tissue, and a stillborn calf, and said the county and state had pursued investigations, lawsuits, and legislative responses. Sandra Trawick of Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches argued that Oklahoma’s biosolids program relies heavily on Class B sludge, that current rules are outdated, and that land application exposes farms and rural communities to pathogens, chemicals, odors, flies, and runoff; she cited examples from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma to support calls for stronger regulation or a ban. After the testimony, members asked about sampling methods, lab testing, EPA limits, and whether the cited PFAS blood levels were comparable to the soil and sludge measurements. Witnesses said the Johnson County samples were collected by a Texas A&M PhD contractor and tested at a single lab, and they explained that the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion figure applied to municipal drinking water standards. Questions also addressed whether sludge is incorporated into soil; Trawick said it had often been left on the surface, though she had seen better disking after public scrutiny. Members asked how biosolids compare with manure and feedlot waste, and witnesses responded that municipal sludge is more contaminated because it includes industrial, hospital, and household waste streams, unlike animal manure. The committee then moved to alternative solutions, hearing from Doug McKinney of Advanced Microbial Solutions, who promoted biological sludge removal using bacteria to reduce sludge volumes and avoid land application, citing cost savings for wastewater plants and correctional facilities. Jason Jepsen of Eden Energy followed with a pitch for an eight-stage waste-to-energy system that converts mixed waste into clean energy, biochar, and reusable products, framing waste as an asset and presenting his company’s technology as a no-land-application alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• that a little bit, as well as the DOE Metallic program, and the materials processing through our biomass
• We're bringing in biomass. It could be any form of carbon to show we can... Kilowatts out there.
• We're bringing in biomass. It could be any form of carbon to show we can first off burn it.
• I love burning it and getting all the energy I can out of lignite, out of biomass, and out of oil, and
• And then we're going to burn biomass and, through this combustor, turn that into electricity and steam

Keywords: 908, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finding new opportunities for utilization of biomass is really critical both from an environmental level
• could be things like, for example, the enzyme that's used for cheese production, but it also could be biomass
• you who have gone to the Better Meat Company, for example, or Optimized Foods, that is what we call biomass
• fermentation, which is using a lot of agricultural side streams, We call biomass fermentation, which

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation was held at UC Davis and focused on how alternative proteins can support California agriculture, the bioeconomy, and farmers. Opening remarks from UC Davis leaders and committee members emphasized the university’s food science, fermentation, and sustainability strengths, and the state’s prior investments of $5 million for UC alternative protein research and an additional $1 million for ICAMP. Members framed the topic as a way to grow new markets, keep more value in-state, and address climate, food security, and commercialization challenges. The first panel featured Sana Beg of the Plant-Based Foods Institute, who argued that California agriculture and alternative proteins are complementary, not competing, and stressed that farmers are essential to the sector. She highlighted the need for ingredient processing capacity, technical assistance for growers, and predictable demand through public procurement, including schools, hospitals, and state facilities. Committee members asked about financing and market development, and Beg said guaranteed loans, grants, and state- and USDA-backed support could help de-risk investment and build the supply chain. The second panel focused on research and development. Beam Circular described the circular bioeconomy in the San Joaquin Valley, including efforts to turn agricultural residues into higher-value products, build shared infrastructure, and expand workforce training. ICAMP and UC ANR described UC Davis-centered research, pilot facilities, and a proposed plant innovation center to bridge lab-scale work to commercial manufacturing. USDA researchers discussed using byproducts such as brewer’s spent grain, tomato pomace, lima beans, and chickpeas for new food ingredients. Members repeatedly emphasized the importance of public R&D funding, consumer acceptance, and food-grade scale-up facilities. The final panel highlighted company perspectives from Optimized Foods and Blue Diamond Growers. Optimized Foods described using fungi fermentation to convert almond hulls, cocoa waste, and tomato pomace into protein-rich ingredients and stabilized nutrients. Blue Diamond outlined its grower cooperative model, sustainability practices, almond ingredient portfolio, and the Sacramento almond innovation center. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with discussion centered on research, commercialization, infrastructure, and market-building for California-grown alternative protein products.

Transcript Highlights:

• for<00:15:22.959><c> Emerald</c><00:15:23.360><c> Ashbor</c> for Emerald Ashbor for Emerald Ashbor Biomass
• :15:26.560><c> last</c><00:15:27.079><c> item</c><00:15:28.079><c> is</c><00:15:28.320><c> on</c> Biomass
• And then the last item is on Biomass. And then the last item is on line<00:15:28.880><c> 95.
• Um, I have the list here, Senator Howe, of the things that came out and that includes biomass, Senator
• Um, I have the list here, Senator Howe, of the things that came out and that includes biomass, Senator

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• but a lot will have to be done mechanically and will generate tens of millions of tons of forest biomass
• work is critically, absolutely critical, but we must figure out sustainable ways to use the forest biomass
• It creates a fund that supports projects that help us sustainably use forest biomass waste.
• Good afternoon, Audra Hartman, on behalf of the California Biomass Energy Alliance, in support of the
• We’re on track to create a lot of forest biomass waste, but the status quo creates more harmful greenhouse

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• 39.279><c> renewable</c><01:05:39.760><c> chemicals</c><01:05:40.119><c> and</c><01:05:40.319><c> biomass
• </c> well as renewable chemicals and biomass well as renewable chemicals and biomass thermal<01:05:41.319
• Source<01:05:53.559><c> 80%</c><01:05:54.119><c> of</c><01:05:54.240><c> the</c><01:05:54.400><c> biomass
• </c><01:05:54.920><c> from</c><01:05:55.079><c> within</c> Source 80% of the biomass from within Source
• 80% of the biomass from within the<01:05:55.400><c> state</c><01:05:55.680><c> St</c><01:05:56.520><

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• . $715,000 for the city of Becker biomass facility.
• c><00:12:23.120><c> city</c><00:12:23.400><c> of</c><00:12:23.520><c> Becker</c><00:12:23.920><c> biomass
• </c> for the city of Becker biomass facility. for the city of Becker biomass facility.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, that's why I had a bill here about a month ago on biomass and making it carbon neutral.
• Sounds like I found a co-author for my biomass bill to make biomass carbon neutral.
• </c><01:07:38.160><c> bill</c><01:07:38.319><c> to</c> found a co-author for my biomass bill to found
• a co-author for my biomass bill to make<01:07:38.760><c> biomass</c><01:07:39.200><c> carbon</c><01:
• carbon neutral I think that make biomass carbon neutral I think that would<01:07:40.240><c> probably

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a bill here about a month ago on biomass and making it carbon neutral.
• It sounds like I found a co-author for my biomass bill to make biomass carbon neutral.

Transcript Highlights:

• MNERD has begun internal reviews of forest workforce capacity, biomass utilization challenges, and how
• Underutilized biomass from small-to-medium-sized forest diameter thinning and restoration byproducts
• The Forestry Innovation Grant Opportunity: As I mentioned earlier, biowaste and biomass are becoming.
• What are you doing with your biomass?"

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the APS gives handouts to woody biomass-burning systems, which are known to produce high
• It's worth noting that the legislature has already removed woody biomass from the renewable energy portfolio

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• requires microorganisms, humidity, and heat to yield a finished compost product, CO2, water, and biomass
• /c><00:44:57.640><c> CO2</c><00:44:58.240><c> water</c><00:44:58.520><c> and</c><00:44:59.119><c> biomass
• </c><00:45:00.119><c> um</c> compost product CO2 water and biomass um compost product CO2 water and biomass

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on a series of energy, transportation, climate, and waste bills. HB 977 would provide additional funding to the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority for low-interest financing of rooftop solar and storage for underserved ratepayers; HB 1295 would require state and county agencies to use federal energy tax credits; HB 1051 concerns energy efficiency portfolio standards; HB 1019 addresses long-duration clean energy storage; HB 344 concerns EV charging infrastructure at state facilities; HB 733 would change EV parking requirements; HB 242 creates a working group on EV battery reuse and recycling; HB 1022 expands access to energy industry information reporting; HB 1017 repeals the greenhouse gas sequestration task force; HB 787 asks for a feasibility study on a Buy Clean program; and HB 751 sets composting goals. Testimony was largely supportive across the bills, with some agencies standing on written testimony or offering comments, and a few measures drawing opposition or concerns, including HB 751 from county agencies and HB 242 from Redwood Materials requesting inclusion of a specialized battery recycler on the working group. Members asked several questions, including about EV charging siting, whether bike parking and showers should be considered in EV facility planning, how often EV charging stalls are relocated to other sites, and whether Hawaiʻi has in-state capacity to prepare EV batteries for shipping and recycling. On HB 751, the committee discussed county diversion rates and Maui’s composting capacity, with the Department of Health noting Maui’s diversion decline was tied to closure of the EKO co-composting facility at Central Maui landfill and that reestablishment was planned. On HB 242, Redwood Materials explained it handles lithium-ion batteries, including work related to the Maui wildfire response, and said a full in-state recycling chain is unlikely, though local facilities can safely prepare batteries for shipment. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures with amendments. For HB 977, the committee noted a recommended appropriation of $50 million and made technical amendments. HB 1295, HB 1051, HB 1019, HB 344, HB 733, HB 242, HB 1022, HB 1017, and HB 787 were all advanced with technical or substantive amendments, including changes to dates, appropriations, and working group membership. For HB 344, the committee accepted DAGS’s suggestion to make HSEO the expending entity and adjusted the appropriation to one year. For HB 242, the committee added a battery storage industry member, included stationary storage as a consideration, and extended the reporting date to 2027. HB 787 was advanced with a request that the Climate Commission and State Procurement Office work together on more specific amendments if the bill continues moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the bottom of page seven onto the top of eight, to administer the grant for the biomass system in
• On the bottom of page seven onto the top of eight, to administer the grant for the biomass system in
• On the bottom of page seven onto the top of eight, to administer the grant for the biomass system in
• bill, we would strongly encourage you to consider adopting Senate File 2170, Senator Farnsworth's biomass
• </c><00:31:58.240><c> bill</c> 2170, Senator Farnsworth's biomass bill 2170, Senator Farnsworth's biomass

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was approached by members of the biomass wood-to-energy industry and the timber industry about an effort
• to align the New Hampshire biomass industry, biomass plants in Class Three of the renewable portfolio
• The RPS program and the RECC program and the RECC markets are critical to the sustainability of the biomass
• </c><00:03:32.560><c> industry</c> sustainability of the biomass industry sustainability of the biomass
• >> I am Jody Grimble, and I represent the Bridgewater Power Company, a biomass plant in Bridgewater,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since its inception, the RDA has directed over $200 million into projects that advance wind, solar, biomass
• 25.360><c> solar,</c> into projects that advance wind, solar, into projects that advance wind, solar, biomass
• 27.279><c> storage,</c><00:25:27.679><c> and</c><00:25:27.919><c> other</c><00:25:28.240><c> clean</c> biomass
• , energy storage, and other clean biomass, energy storage, and other clean energy<00:25:28.960><c> technologies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• introduced by Senator Mayes, is an act relating to taxation, increasing the amount of an agricultural biomass
• income tax credit and an agricultural biomass corporate income tax credit.
• An act relating to taxation, increasing the amount of an agricultural biomass, an act relating to taxation
• , increasing the amount of an agricultural biomass income tax credit and an agricultural biomass corporate

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this, there are other fuel sources unique in Washington that we can connect up to this system, like biomass
• There's something called BEX, biomass energy carbon capture and sequestration.
• There's something called BEX, biomass energy carbon capture and sequestration.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Biomass is a great way to go.
• Biomass is a great way to go.
• Biomass is a great way to go.
• Biomass is a great way to go.
• Biomass is a great way to go.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all