Video & Transcript Research : 'subsurface energy'
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KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- data centers and other high energy data centers and other high energy demand<00:05:37.720>
projects - <00:14:37.240>
market reduce dependency on the energy market reduce dependency on the energy - And with the growing demand for energy throughout the country, energy providers are deciding where to
- may say unlawful practices by the Energy may say unlawful practices by the Energy and<00:58:00.280
- <01:03:47.760>
and Also, SB 89 strips Kentucky Energy and Also, SB 89 strips Kentucky Energy
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28
Introduction of Guests 00:02:08
American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31
SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55
SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky.
Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky.
Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House environment panel considers HF3007 4/3/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Revenue and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- As a former renewable energy developer, I know financial planning is a great challenge.
- SB 1329 protects our climate goals and helps solar energy providers supply renewable energy.
- Climate goals and helps solar energy providers supply renewable energy at affordable prices.
- Higher costs or uncertain taxes mean higher energy prices. It's a direct correlation.
- Good evening, Brandon Garcia, with Advanced Energy United, in support. Thank you. Thank you.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 05:02 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, June 5, 2026
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- trying to enhance their energy trying to enhance their energy and<00:10:16.480>
find <00:10 - Rob Kger up for the uh energy Rob Kger up for the uh energy transmission<00:11:58.079>
loan - Um, and then the Energy Dominance Fund, it also calls out, you know, base load energy development and
- So, in my mind, Wyoming energy needs includes transmission lines associated with energy needs.
- So, in my mind, Wyoming energy needs includes transmission lines associated with energy needs.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 10:30AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- year from the Hawaii Natural Energy year from the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute.
- And I just, for the record, that was Energy Justice Network. >> Island Energy Services with comment and
- Policies like this turn waste into energy while supporting local investment and energy resilience.
- Policies like this turn waste into energy while supporting local investment and energy resilience.
- <00:44:17.280>
It energize the agricultural energy. It energize the agricultural energy.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1694, which would create a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and HB 1695, which would expand the state’s renewable fuels production tax credit. For HB 1694, supporters from the airlines, renewable fuels industry, business groups, and some environmental and youth representatives said sustainable aviation fuel is a practical near-term way to cut emissions in aviation, a hard-to-decarbonize sector, and argued the credit would send a market signal, support local production, and help meet state climate goals. Opponents, including Energy Justice Network and a taxpayer-focused testifier, argued the bill could subsidize expensive fuels that may not be truly clean, could duplicate benefits available under other tax provisions, and should not support transpacific aviation or technologies they said are unproven or harmful. The Department of Taxation stood on written testimony, and the chair later asked that all verbal testimony on remaining bills be limited to one minute because of time constraints.
HB 1695 drew similar support and opposition, but focused more broadly on renewable fuels for transportation, trucking, shipping, and other sectors. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Energy Office, airlines, PAR Hawaii, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pacific Biodiesel, and the RNG Coalition, said the bill would help scale local fuel production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support jobs and agriculture, and advance the state’s climate and energy goals. Several supporters emphasized that the credit would help build a local industry and that life-cycle accounting should be used to measure emissions benefits. Opponents repeated concerns that some biofuels and waste-based fuels may not be climate-beneficial, may rely on flawed modeling, and could create costly infrastructure that would need to be replaced later. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 03/24/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm State Senator Cameron Parker, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
- It's not saying that the utility would never recoup the cost of energy being used during the period.
- That's not how... ...the cost of energy being used during the period.
- Next: Bill 5111, sponsored by Senator Parker, an act to enact the Just Energy Transition Act.
- how we do that from an energy perspective.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Cameron Parker, considered a large agenda focused on utility consumer protections, rate transparency, NYSERDA oversight, and energy transition policy. Several bills were discussed in detail, including measures to prohibit residential utility shutoffs during extreme temperature forecasts (Bill 120A), delay shutoffs and late fees while a utility is under certain PSC investigations (Bill 904B), require disclosure of planned rate increases (Bill 4989A), limit certain utility charges after 12 months (Bill 8710), and require utilities to disclose more information with major rate change applications (Bill 9433A). The committee also considered bills on net energy metering credits (Bill 1553), reconnection for low-income customers (Bill 965), sanctions and civil penalties (Bill 8908), and annual NYSERDA reporting obligations (Bill 1819).
Members raised recurring concerns about affordability, arrears, and who ultimately bears costs when utilities are prevented from collecting immediately. Senator Walczyk repeatedly questioned whether protections would shift costs to other ratepayers, while sponsors and the chair emphasized that the bills did not erase arrears but created temporary consumer protections. Senator May noted that some proposals could produce significant savings for ratepayers. On Bill 1819, Senator Walczyk supported greater accountability for NYSERDA’s use of ratepayer-funded money. Bill 1668, which would authorize NYSERDA to administer grants for switching residents to electric heat pumps, drew questions about funding; staff said it would be funded off-budget from existing sources and would have no direct state cost, though it could require shifting existing program resources.
The committee advanced most bills to third reading after motions and votes, with several measures receiving no votes but still moving forward. Bill 2477 was held for possible amendments. Bill 4989A was referred to the Consumer Protection Committee. Bill 5111, the Just Energy Transition Act, prompted extended discussion about its study timeline and a PSC order to facilitate replacement and redevelopment of at least 4 gigawatts of fossil fuel generation; the bill was advanced to third reading after debate. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the committee completed its agenda.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you so much, and I'm going to turn it over to our Secretary of Energy and Energy they need to invest
- Thank you so much, and I'm going to turn it over to our Secretary of Energy and Energy Thank you so much
- These practices make buildings... ...using less energy-intensive building materials.
- We provide trusted energy guidance and competitive pricing... ...500 members.
- So adding the cost of deep energy retrofits or a deep energy build is just not possible.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools.
Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration.
Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee May 5th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the International Energy Agency.
- To provide some context, we reviewed the California Energy Commission's Integrated Energy Policy Reports
- , according to the International Energy Agency—I want to quote them—the largest energy crisis we have
- This is around your ask to the Energy Commission in the 237.
- Outsourcing your energy production is not...
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on California’s petroleum supply and price volatility amid the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Committee members and administration witnesses focused first on short-term supply conditions: the California Energy Commission said crude and refined-product imports were still arriving at healthy levels, West Coast inventories were generally adequate, and there was no expected near-term supply shortfall, though diesel inventories were tighter than gasoline or jet fuel. Officials said California’s reliance on imports has grown as in-state refining capacity has declined, and they described ongoing work to track import flows, inventories, refinery outages, and pricing.
The Division of Petroleum Market Oversight said the conflict was driving real price increases, but also highlighted California’s persistent branded-gasoline premium and unusually wide station-to-station price dispersion. DPMO reported that some major-brand stations were charging far above the statewide average, that several outlier stations reduced prices after contact from the division, and that investigations and subpoenas were ongoing. Professor Severin Borenstein argued that while crude oil is a global price driver, much of California’s higher retail price gap is a downstream “mystery gasoline surcharge,” not explained by crude costs alone, and he said the state should focus on imports, port and storage capacity, and competition rather than expecting refinery subsidies or an E15 blend to solve the problem.
Industry and labor witnesses took different positions on the causes and solutions. The Western States Petroleum Association said state policy had weakened California’s refining system, making it more dependent on long, fragile supply chains and vulnerable to global shocks, and urged the state to protect remaining refining capacity and reduce regulatory burdens. United Steelworkers Local 675 emphasized that refinery reliability and staffing matter for market stability. Members pressed witnesses on whether California should set fuel-supply targets, how to prepare beyond the next six weeks, whether more import dependence increases risk, and what additional data or authority the state needs. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <02:09:50.599>
jobs <02:09:51.760>energy exports helps get energy jobs energy exports - secure border unleashing American Energy secure border unleashing American Energy preventing<02:
- energy relating to energy department of energy relating to energy conservation<02:16:45.319>
program - reports on energy producers.
- energy relating to energy conservation energy relating to energy conservation program<03:35:21.800
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, July 3, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But that's just the or energy.
- American energy independence. We must American energy independence.
- yes to other countries' energy.
- yes to other countries' energy.
- bill by hundreds of dollars. on clean energy jobs, on the clean on clean energy jobs, on the clean energy
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 26th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- In Louisiana's ever-growing all-of-the-above energy, geothermal energy is not yet officially looked at
- to look Urge the state and conservation and energy to look at producing policies that we could pursue
- So can you explain what type of thermal energy this is?
- Tanner McGee, Conservation Energy.
- Tanner McGee, Conservation Energy.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM, WAM-EDT, WAM-WLA, WAM, WAM Public Hearings 03-05-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Mahalo. you you you energy<00:11:32.320>
office. - Sorry about um State Energy Office.
- renewable energy, this is a positive investment for the state.
- My name is Chris Debone from Hawaii Energy Connection.
- Uh, a lot of people Energy Connection.
Summary:
The committees took up several measures, with most action focused on SB 3125 relating to income tax changes. The chair explained a proposed SD1 that would preserve standard deduction increases and keep tax relief for working- and middle-class households while removing future bracket adjustments for higher-income filers. The Department of Taxation estimated roughly a $122 million gain from the bracket changes, about a $600 million loss from extending certain credits, and about $145 million in claimed credits under the repeal provisions, for a rough net gain of about $250 million. Testimony was mixed: the Governor’s office and DOTAX supported the intent with technical corrections; the Hawaii State Energy Office and several advocates supported the revenue approach; while Grassroots Institute and others opposed rolling back promised tax relief. Renewable energy and solar representatives opposed repeal of credits affecting their industries, and nonprofit witnesses urged preserving state capacity to fund housing, education, food security, and other services. The chair recommended adoption of the proposed SD1 with additional amendments, and the recommendation was adopted with reservations noted by some members.
The committees also acted on SB 3169 relating to coastal resilience, SB 2001 relating to the Banyan Drive Community Development District, and SB 3334 concerning deputy superintendent positions. SB 3169 was amended to incorporate Oceanit’s recommendation regarding native burrow sites, make technical changes, and delay the effective and repeal dates; the recommendation passed. SB 2001 was recommended to pass with HCDA amendments, a July 1, 2050 effective date, and additional technical changes, with the committee report to note continued desire for community engagement from descendants; one member expressed concern that lineal descendants should have a more direct role, and the measure was adopted with reservations. SB 3334 was reconsidered to add a blank general fund appropriation to establish two FTEs in the superintendent’s office for deputy superintendent positions; members raised reservations about the role of the Board of Education in evaluations, but the recommendation was adopted.
Several other bills were moved with little or no discussion. SB 2338, SB 2431, SB 2438, SB 2593, and SB 2671 were each recommended to pass unamended and were adopted. SB 2662 was recommended to pass with technical amendments based on SPO testimony, with the committee report reflecting concerns raised by the Attorney General and ERS; it was adopted. SB 2563 was deferred indefinitely after testimony from the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions said similar existing programs could address the bill’s concerns and the measure was not needed at this time. SB 3296 was deferred because a House bill on the same subject was already moving over.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the President and CEO of El Paso Electric, but I have been in energy since 1990.
- I couldn't be more excited about what's happening in energy today.
- Okay, because data centers consume an incredible amount of energy. They're very energy efficient.
- We're having to generate huge amounts of energy.
- Those chips are more energy efficient and computationally capable.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- If we address wildfire costs, we go a long way toward solving energy affordability.
- Energy Safety's primary mechanism for doing so is the wildfire mitigation plan.
- Energy Safety doesn't set compensation values and rates.
- So energy safety doesn't set compensation values and rates. We look at the structure.
- And then tomorrow afternoon, I'll be at the Assembly Energy Committee. Yeah.
Summary:
The committee held the first of several informational hearings on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study, focused on wildfire risk, utility liability, and how to finance catastrophic losses. Chair Allen opened by describing California’s recent utility-ignited wildfires, the creation of the wildfire fund under AB 1054, and SB 254’s extension of that fund and requirement for a study. The California Earthquake Authority, as wildfire fund administrator, presented the report’s process and findings, emphasizing that the study was intended to be neutral and broad, based on extensive stakeholder outreach, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, communities, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities.
CEA’s report organized recommendations into three policy pathways: continued mitigation investment, more equitable allocation of catastrophe burdens, and expanded state roles in catastrophe financing. For utilities, the report discussed options such as setting a binding risk-tolerance standard, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, creating confidential reporting with safe-harbor protections, reforming utility liability including possible changes to inverse condemnation, limiting damages, reducing insurance subrogation, and creating a fast-pay facility for survivors. The financing analysis compared a more durable wildfire fund, risk transfer/reinsurance, liability reforms, and state-backed mechanisms such as a state insurer, a state backstop, and broader funding for community wildfire mitigation.
The CPUC said wildfire mitigation oversight has improved, but wildfire-related costs are driving electricity bills higher and creating an affordability crisis. The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan review and field inspections, and recommended stronger safety reporting and more safety-weighted executive compensation. In member discussion, senators and assemblymembers focused on the cost of the status quo, whether the burden should be shared by ratepayers, utilities, the state, or other parties, and whether California should consider broader disaster-financing approaches. Several members raised concerns about inverse condemnation, the pace of survivor compensation, local land-use responsibility, and the need for a more comprehensive statewide solution rather than piecemeal bills. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational only.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The state energy security plan is a federal requirement of the U.S.
- Department of Energy State Energy Program.
- In particular, our energy conservation and management divisions are In particular, our energy conservation
- energy providers and emergency management officials.
- Slide five: Energy Conservation and Management Division.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP/TRN/AEN/TCA Joint Info Briefing - Wed Jun 25, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- we're looking at this 2045 clean energy we're looking at this 2045 clean energy goals.
- <00:26:26.000>
security presentation about the energy security presentation about the energy - Um, we don't produce staff here to run in a clean energy efficient to run in a clean energy efficient
- So, of in our energy security plan.
- know, various goals on food and energy know, various goals on food and energy and<01:22:32.400><
Summary:
The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals.
DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions.
A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs.
The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 16th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the president of Positive Energy and also a board member of the Renewable Energy Industry Association
- And this is a very important thing for our state and for our energy future.
- This opportunity would also help provide tribes with investing in solar energy. Thank you.
- Half my family is building careers now in solar energy.
- I made a contract with Positive Energy.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We're tracking client satellites, we're collecting energy from the Sun, and then we transmit energy in
- How do you store any of that energy? You know, because you got weight factors and all that, right?
- That we're storing energy.
- So when these guys are on the sun-facing side, they can provide additional energy, provide energy assurance
- , supercharge satellites by transmitting energy to them directly.
Summary:
The committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and heard a series of presentations focused on Florida’s space and aerospace industry. Blue Origin’s Anna Spencer described the company’s Florida operations at Rocket Park, including New Glenn manufacturing and launch activities, Blue Moon lunar lander work, workforce development, and recent booster recovery and launch milestones. Amazon’s Beth Cooley presented an update on Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), outlining the satellite broadband network, customer terminals, dark skies mitigation efforts, Florida facilities and jobs, and launch plans; members asked about RV/mobile applications, satellite counts, and the role of fiber, but no action was taken. Starcatcher Industries CEO Andrew Rush then described his company’s effort to create an orbital energy grid that beams power to satellites to extend mission life and increase available power, citing demonstrations in Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral and plans for a first satellite launch next year.
Space Florida CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace sector, citing billions in private investment, hundreds of projects in the pipeline, the leverage of state spaceport funding, workforce and university programs, and the need for additional tools and infrastructure to keep Florida competitive. He emphasized growth in launch activity, manufacturing, research, and military support infrastructure, and said Space Florida would bring forward legislative proposals. Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro delivered the strongest policy message of the meeting, warning that KSC’s aging infrastructure and relatively smaller NASA budget share could cause Florida to lose aerospace leadership to states like Texas unless the state strengthens its partnership, research investment, and infrastructure support. Members questioned her about federal restrictions on commercial investment in common-use infrastructure, the need for more state-federal alignment, and how Florida can preserve its role as the launch capital of the world. After the presentations and questions, Senator Burgess moved to adjourn, there was no objection, and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 18th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- We're tracking client satellites, we're collecting energy from the sun, and then we transmit energy in
- How do you store any of that energy? You know, because you got weight factors and all that, right?
- So when these guys are on the sun-facing side, they can, you know, provide additional energy, provide
- energy assurance, supercharge satellites by transmitting energy to them directly.
- When we're on the eclipse side, we can still provide energy because we put satellites in a much higher
Summary:
The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year.
Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership.
Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.