Transcript Highlights:

• a reminder, House Bill 2296 establishes requirements and other conditions for the use of portable solar
• number of changes to the meter-mounted devices section, and it also completely removed the portable solar
• sometimes called meter socket adapters to help reduce costs and barriers for Washingtonians who want solar
• for now, but I want to be involved with this over the interim and really understand what the balcony solar
• for now but I want to be involved with this over the interim and really understand what the balcony solar

Bills: HB2296 , HB2301 , HB2212 , HB2515 , HB2436 , HB2496 , HB2605

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker

Transcript Highlights:

• Accounting for electricity's higher per-unit cost, this geothermal, solar, and solar will save up to
• </c><00:45:44.320><c> system</c> building, and the rooftop solar system building, and the rooftop solar
• I'm assuming the solar is going to be the electricity to run the geothermal.
• powered by the solar array on the<00:47:09.600><c> roof.
• played in solar, the panels are 90% lower cost than they were 20 years ago.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gas, wave or tidal action, wastewater gas, certain hydropower
• These are ground-mounted solar panels meant to be operated at the same time that the land is used for
• A pivot corner facility is a solar energy system that is placed in a pivot corner and is designed to
• We also explored co-locating solar arrays on pivot corners, the often underutilized area of farmland
• In Section 2, it allows solar facilities as either agricultural or non-agricultural uses.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several local government bills. HB 2006 would extend the deadline for certain rural counties that collect a sales and use tax for economic development to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. Supporters, including the sponsor and Kittitas County representatives, said the bill would help counties identify industrial land for job growth and economic development; Futurewise opposed it, citing concerns about large industrial land banks and impacts to agricultural lands. HB 2244 would let a city that forms a fire protection district after July 1, 2026, keep its levy rate without reducing it by the district’s levy, and would also allow online notice and interlocal contracting for fire services. City and fire officials supported it as a practical tool to fund fire service, while one witness opposed the broader trend of appointed taxing authorities. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2316, which would limit shrub-step vegetation inside urban growth areas from being treated as wildlife habitat, critical area, or conservation area, and would bar related mitigation or replacement requirements. Tri-Cities officials, builders, housing advocates, and the sponsor argued the bill would reduce delays and costs for housing and development on already designated urban land, while conservation groups, tribal representatives, and some individuals opposed it as a broad rollback of habitat protections and a harmful precedent for ecosystems and wildlife. No vote was taken on the bills during the hearing. HB 2103 would expand public utility contracting authority so cities, utilities, and joint operating agencies could enter “capability” contracts for renewable or non-emitting generation projects, including nuclear, renewable hydrogen, and fusion, and repeal certain price-limit restrictions. Supporters said it would align older contracting law with the Clean Energy Transformation Act and help utilities plan for future power needs; opponents warned it would shift risk to ratepayers and revive concerns tied to the WPPSS nuclear debacle. The committee also heard HB 2388, which would classify pivot-corner solar and agrovoltaic facilities on agricultural land as distributed energy resources and accessory uses; the sponsor and supporters said it would help meet energy needs without harming productive farmland, while Futurewise asked for clarification to avoid unintended loss of agricultural land. The hearing then returned to HB 2103 for additional testimony, with the same basic split between utility and clean-energy supporters and ratepayer or anti-nuclear opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I move that the House accede to the Senate request to return Senate Bill 1278, Solar Radiation
• If you are using less than 50% of your plant, you can lease out that plant, you can sell some of that
• And furthermore, as you sell that property, as you lease out that property, then that ratio increases
• So you lease out that property, then that ratio increases.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest introductions, including the day’s Doctor of the Day and many school board members and students visiting for Arizona School Board Association Advocacy Day. Members repeatedly highlighted concerns about school facilities funding and welcomed local education leaders from across the state. The chamber then moved through attendance, committee assignments, and a large number of Senate and House bill readings and referrals. A major portion of the day was spent in Committee of the Whole considering numerous bills and amendments. Among the most notable was SCR 1054, a memorial resolution honoring former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, which was unanimously adopted after remarks praising his public service and consumer-protection work. The House also considered HB 2728 on Department of Economic Security continuation and policy changes; after divided-question debate and a recorded division vote, the amended bill received a do-pass recommendation by 32-25. Other bills receiving do-pass recommendations in committee included measures on school safety center funding and governance (HB 2142), school board training (HB 2379), HOA disclosure reforms (HB 2397), credit freezes for foster youth (HB 2321), and several health and human services and judiciary measures. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 2053, appropriating money to the Department of Water Resources, passed 32-24; HB 2175, on sentencing, failed 25-31; HB 2327, on records confidentiality, passed 54-2; HB 2416, appropriating money to the Department of Public Safety, passed 33-23 after debate over immigration enforcement funding; HB 2492, relating to urban growth boundaries and initiative/referendum effects, failed 27-29; and HB 2805, making school board races partisan, passed 31-25 despite strong opposition from members who argued school boards should remain nonpartisan. The transcript ends with the House continuing through additional business and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have S202 for third reading, an act relating to portable solar energy generating devices.
• relating<00:12:31.440><c> to</c><00:12:31.600><c> portable</c><00:12:32.160><c> s</c><00:12:33.040><c> solar
• </c><00:12:33.680><c> energy</c> relating to portable s solar energy relating to portable s solar energy
• :12:47.200><c> relating</c><00:12:47.519><c> to</c><00:12:47.680><c> portable</c><00:12:48.160><c> solar
• </c> &gt;&gt; S20, an act relating to portable solar &gt;&gt; S20, an act relating to portable solar

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of them with the concerns about too much sun, solar radiation, others with the concerns of weather
• It's it's Mary to to solar modification. The specifics as to delineating condoms.
• >> Our weather, our air quality or just, you know, the the solar are solar radiation in any way, shape
• >> It's solar radiation management.
• So who would want solar dimming?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have shown, as you increase solar have shown, as you increase solar penetration,<01:59:03.599><c
• Once those solar they were paid off.
• My solar panels are paying electricity. My solar panels are paid<02:03:01.199><c> for.
• ><c> now</c> Because isn't solar right now Because isn't solar right now intermittent<02:05:29.199><c
• </c><02:10:35.840><c> would</c> electrical bill because my solar would electrical bill because my solar

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> commission to build 120 megawatt solar commission to build 120 megawatt solar facility<00:21:29.280
• That battery can store some of that solar energy and deploy it in peak time needs.
• That battery can store some of that solar energy and deploy it in peak time needs.
• That battery can store some of that solar energy and deploy it in peak time needs.
• That battery can store some of that solar energy and deploy it in peak time needs.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force held its third meeting and adopted the prior minutes after a motion and second. The main presentation came from John Bevington of LG&E and KU, who described the utility’s Kentucky service territory, its vertically integrated operations, and its role in economic development. He said the company supported 76 projects in 2024, representing about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, and noted that about 45% of statewide investment announcements were in its service area. He also outlined a large project pipeline of about 8.5 gigawatts, with data centers making up roughly two-thirds of that interest. Bevington explained that data center siting differs from traditional manufacturing site selection because it is driven primarily by transmission access and grid capacity rather than a process of eliminating locations. He said large data centers must locate near transmission lines, that utilities must conduct formal studies to ensure existing customers are not harmed, and that the buildout timeline for utility infrastructure is much longer than for data centers. He cited a Deloitte study and other industry data to argue that power constraints and timeline mismatches are the biggest challenges, while also emphasizing that data centers can generate significant construction activity, indirect jobs, and tax revenue. He said Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers was a key enabler that increased interest in the state. Members asked about the number and size of potential data center projects, how Kentucky compares with other states, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects in Kentucky reflect current interest, that other states such as Ohio have had similar incentives for years, and that Kentucky is still early in the market. He also said data centers can vary in size, from 200 to 600 megawatts or more, and that they can be located anywhere with sufficient transmission capacity and, in some cases, access to workforce and roads. In response to concerns about energy supply, he said LG&E and KU are pursuing an “all of the above” strategy, including solar, batteries, and new natural gas combined-cycle units, and noted ongoing and proposed projects totaling additional capacity if approved by the Public Service Commission.

Transcript Highlights:

• project on the State Department of solar project on the State Department of Ag<00:22:13.880><c> and<
• </c><00:22:38.920><c> as</c><00:22:39.160><c> a</c><00:22:39.440><c> generation</c> floating solar as
• a generation floating solar as a generation technology<00:22:40.440><c> that's</c><00:22:40.840><c>
• Floating solar is a growing industry. It's used widely in China.
• It increases the effectiveness of the solar by I think about 15%, and, as Jennifer said, we have the

Bills: HCR206

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: data centers, electric utilities, Hawaii State Energy Office, renewable energy, environmental impact, regulatory safeguards, ratepayers, grid reliability, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on several concurrent resolutions focused on energy, agriculture, water, and food security. Testimony on HCR 206 HD1 concerned the Hawaii State Energy Office and data centers, with comments submitted by the PUC, the Energy Office, and others; the measure was recommended for passage without amendment, though one committee deferred formal action until a later meeting because of quorum issues. HCR 31, recognizing 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, received strong support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, which emphasized managed grazing, groundwater infiltration, and food production; it was recommended and adopted as passed unamended. HCR 33, on the Pua Kōloa sewage project, was amended to add UH Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, monitoring, and technical assistance, then recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also heard and advanced a series of resolutions on environmental and land-use issues. HCR 36 establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, HCR 19 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 162 creating an arts and data mapping task force, HCR 61 on reforestation investment, HCR 106 endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and HCR 178 urging a Maui water set-aside were all recommended for passage as is and adopted. HCR 14, authorizing a perpetual non-exclusive easement for drainage purposes, was recommended for passage with technical, non-substantive amendments. HCR 179, addressing the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, was amended to create a working group with legislative, Aha Moku, DLNR, and OHA representation to report back for the 2027 session, and was recommended for passage with amendments. In the agriculture and environment hearing, HCR 117 on statewide food security drew testimony from a high school student and others stressing Hawaii’s vulnerability to supply disruptions and the need for local food resilience; it was passed as is. HCR 103, supporting expanded tree canopy and shade trees to reduce urban heat islands, also passed as is after a member noted storm damage concerns and suggested careful plant selection. HCR 180, urging the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to explore co-locating renewable energy projects with agricultural reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure, received strong support from Molokai Clean Energy Hui and others describing the Kalaupapa Reservoir floating solar project and its community planning process; it was passed as is. HCR 144 HD2, calling for a comprehensive statewide food security strategy, was also recommended and adopted without amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This four-story building will have a 132-kW solar array on top.
• As you can see, it will also have a solar array. Now, the interesting thing about this building...
• As you can see, it will also have a solar array.
• We are equipped now for designs for 8 megawatts of solar, or potential solar.
• So anyways, this is all to say: we are currently exploring opportunities to install as much solar on

Bills: SGA9314 , SGA9282 , SGA9288 , SGA9296 , SGA9232 , SGA9233 , SGA9235 , SGA9236 , SGA9237

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It modifies the scope of capacity and limitations for community solar projects, which includes expanding
• the annual cap for low- and moderate-income community solar projects from 6 megawatts to 12 megawatts
• And I appreciate that we're able to do something on the community solar while we were not expanding the
• while we were not community um solar while we were not expanding<00:19:35.440><c> the</c><00:19:35.600
• that is a workable community solar that is a workable solution<00:19:58.799><c> for</c><00:19:58.960

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Energy Loan Program Office for $150 million of solar on schools.
• Department of Energy Loan Program Office for our solar for schools.
• projects have a similar payback of solar projects have a similar payback of 5<00:25:55.520><c> to</c
• </c><00:26:29.679><c> for</c> program office office for our solar for program office office for our solar
• </c> think uh when we are investing in solar think uh when we are investing in solar or<01:04:38.240>

Bills: HF1013 , HF1598 , HF1656 , HF2162

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• forward, I'd like to hear, if not now, maybe in the future, recommendations from NMED about mining leases
• And I'd like to see what the recommendations are for creating a fund that would be in the new leases
• It's going to be solar? I'm going to defer to Kathy here in case she knows.
• They have a whole new— ...solar array that's north of, I don't know exactly the location.
• They have a whole new solar array that's north of, I don't know exactly the location.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um things I wind capacity or 303x solar.
• Wind and solar performed at 205%. This is actual in MISO territory; it was a bit better.
• Wind and solar at 258% of capacity. Wind and solar performed at 205%.
• Wind and solar at 258% of capacity.
• With wind and solar, as we money, right?

Bills: HF4770

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: biomass, anaerobic digester, renewable energy, sustainability, energy generation

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended. The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data. Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.

Transcript Highlights:

• include combinations of all sorts of things: windows and doors, insulation, HVAC systems, roofs, even solar
• So as of 2024, nearly 40% of our loan and PACE securities are supporting climate solutions such as solar
• So as of 2024, nearly 40% of our loan and PACE securities are supporting climate solutions such as solar
• totaling over $650 million in retrofits for things like windows, insulation, conservation upgrades, solar
• generation and storage, and even wind. ...insulation, conservation upgrades, solar generation and storage

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Power Solar LLC. Cruz Romero in support. Power Solar LLC. Cruz Romero in support.
• Rocky Hawaii Solar Energy Association.
• </c><00:54:40.880><c> Energy</c> Mole with the Hawaii Solar Energy Mole with the Hawaii Solar Energy
• Uh, Malama Solar offered testimony in support. Hawaii Solar Energy Association.
• Rocky Mold, Hawaii Solar Energy Chair.

Bills: HB1617

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: carbon emissions, tax credit, fossil fuel, agriculture, food security, environmental tax, greenhouse gas, 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1949, which would create a public dashboard for the green fee to improve transparency and accountability. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and many community and conservation groups was generally supportive, with several speakers urging that the governor’s project recommendations remain largely intact and that community-driven projects continue to guide spending. One amendment was suggested to place the dashboard at the Department of Budget and Finance for fiscal expertise, while other testimony favored keeping it with the commission. Members asked about procurement, ETS involvement, recurring hosting costs, and whether the dashboard could be funded from green fee revenues; the commission said it could work with ETS and that green fee funds could reasonably be used. The committees then voted to pass HB 1949 with amendments. The committees also heard HB 2618, which would require the governor to submit a separate bill for amounts tied to any increase in the transient accommodations tax and, in later discussion, was expanded into a broader restructuring of future green fee allocations. Testimony from the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, and others supported the bill and emphasized the value of more predictable, dedicated funding for conservation and climate-related work. During decision-making, the chair described amendments creating several special funds under DLNR, including a watershed biodiversity and wildfire risk reduction fund, an aquatic resources conservation fund, a coastal restoration fund, a cesspool conversion revolving loan fund, and a green fee special fund for remaining revenues, with recommended amounts discussed for some of the funds. The committees voted to pass HB 2618 with amendments. The hearing then moved to HB 1644, a consumer protection measure for residential solar sales that would require compliance with consumer protection laws, licensing or contractor affiliation for sellers, and a standardized disclosure form. Testimony in support came from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and several solar companies and individuals. Supporters said the bill would address complaints about third-party sales practices and improve disclosure, especially around financing. The committee then began hearing HB 2243, which would require electric utilities to provide public, electronic customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission; the Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC offered comments supporting the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you'll see some terms thrown around like solar radiation modification.
• </c><00:15:57.600><c> radiation</c> potential SRM that's solar radiation potential SRM that's solar radiation
• I've got a small solar array on my... on it. What do you on it.
• I've got a small solar array on my roof, and the smoke was so bad that my solar production, which I can
• solar energy.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:56 Approval of Minutes 02:26 Discussion of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Related Legislative 02:43 Presentation of Geoengineering and Related Legislation 07:42, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the prior meeting’s minutes. Senator Williams then presented a discussion draft involving KCNA and COOT/Kentucky Wired governance changes. He said the proposal would make the COOT executive director the KCNA director, place the education CIO as chair of a new board of constitutional officers, terminate existing KCNA employees at inception, and return KCNA funds to the general fund. He described the measure as a temporary holding pattern focused on customer connectivity until an audit is completed next summer. Senator West asked whether the bill would change existing Kentucky Wired contracts, and Williams said the contracts would remain in place and COOT would simply handle the work without an extra layer of bureaucracy. No vote was taken; the item was for discussion only. The committee then heard a presentation on geoengineering and related legislation from Rep. John Hodgson, Sen. Rollins, and retired meteorologist Randy Baker. They described geoengineering as attempts to alter climate or weather, including solar radiation modification, stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, and cloud seeding. The presenters distinguished these activities from ordinary jet contrails, crop dusting, ground-level emissions, and airport fog control, and said the proposed Kentucky bill would exclude those ordinary activities. They argued Kentucky lacks a current prohibition on weather modification, said the bill would protect farmland, crops, animal agriculture, aquaculture, and human health, and cited public concern, federal uncertainty, and similar legislation in other states. They also said cloud seeding is used in some western states but remains scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Members asked about enforcement, federal preemption, and whether other states’ actions could affect Kentucky. The presenters said high-altitude spraying would be difficult to hide, that satellite imagery could detect large releases, and that the bill was intended as an assertion of state sovereignty even if federal law later changed. They also said there were no known active geoengineering projects in Kentucky. The discussion remained informational, with no committee vote or final action taken on either topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and then an evaluation of two sales tax exemptions, which pertain to solar energy systems and wind
• energy systems and wind pertain to solar energy systems and wind energy<00:06:37.919><c> conversion<
• The marriage credit, the wind energy conversion systems, and the solar energy systems are those that
• energy system since we'll provide solar energy system since we'll provide a<00:07:27.280><c> fuller<
• </c><00:07:40.319><c> energy</c> conversion systems and the solar energy conversion systems and the solar

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• not to hit on a touchy subject, but when I was a councilman, we hit the pause button on large-scale solar
• And the RPS in Delaware has both a solar and a non-solar component.
• And the RPS in Delaware has both a solar and a non-solar component.
• How does this bill complement the value of solar study that was just done by the SEU?
• So I'd like to know, do we need to have a number of, on the ready, solar app or solar data center applications

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• cross-references to the fee schedules that the investigation fee is based on to reflect the addition of solar
• cross-references to the fee schedules that the investigation fee is based on to reflect the addition of solar
• cross-references to the fee schedules that the investigation fee is based on to reflect the addition of solar
• cross-references to the fee schedules that the investigation fee is based on to reflect the addition of solar
• cross-references to the fee schedules that the investigation fee is based on to reflect the addition of solar

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all