Video & Transcript Research : 'solar'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Recycling and end of life um of so solar Recycling and end of life um of so solar so<00:04:03.000
- disposal on ban for all solar disposal on ban for all solar installations<00:04:18.680>
um recycling requirement for all solar recycling requirement for all solar installations<00:04:22.639 - smaller um um solar smaller um um solar installations<00:04:32.320>
um <00:04:32.960>the - includes as I said wind and solar includes as I said wind and solar components<00:04:49.320>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/09/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Solar Garden Program.
- Minnesota’s groundbreaking Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden
- Community solar gardens, or CSG, were a way to allow Minnesotans to pay for solar energy to meet their
- Community solar gardens, or CSG, were a way to allow Minnesotans to pay for solar energy to meet their
- Solar, a Minnesota-based developer and owner-operator of solar and battery storage projects.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- is community solar, so it's even more than utilities have provided on solar right now.
- solar Gardens area is solar area and the solar Gardens area is that<00:26:12.640>
they've <00:26
Summary:
The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses.
House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- able to access solar.
- The technology ensures that solar.
- >
bills <00:04:10.560>and solar reduces electricity bills and solar reduces electricity - Plug-in solar... very, very anxious to see plug-in solar very, very anxious to see plug-in solar systems
- rooftop solar. rooftop solar.
Keywords:
permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process.
SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems.
After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/26/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that how much the fee would be for a solar developer to put solar panels on the state reforestation
- Will that be the fee that a solar company will be paying the State of New York for developing a solar
- to bring solar and wind power onto state reforestation areas?
- We'll put those flexible solar panels.
- We'll put those flexible solar panels.
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests.
The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills.
The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13.
The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:57:07.040>
products, <00:57:07.599>solar many largecale uh solar products, solar - <00:57:36.640>
Is some solar. So who owns that solar? Is some solar. - person that has the rooftop solar or solar on.
- person that has the rooftop solar or solar on.
- solar on.
Keywords:
utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- owe on your solar?
- on versus have old solar on.
- And so do we know how many non-solar people are subsidizing those with solar?
- customers, to future solar customers, and to non-solar customers.
- rooftop solar customers.
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- solar incentives that encourage solar solar incentives that encourage solar for<00:19:04.039>
- solar solar rewards these funding from solar solar rewards these projects<00:19:13.799>
span <00 - installers, and Xcel's solar customers that want to go solar.
- installers, and Xcel's solar customers that want to go solar.
- rewards solar energy today solar rewards solar energy production<00:51:21.480>
incentive <00:51
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/28/2025)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- for solar for solar arrays<00:04:10.680>
I'm <00:04:10.760>going <00:04:10.879> - bill savings by cutting unneeded solar bill savings by cutting unneeded solar project<00:04:52.880
- <00:06:58.879>
and operate over 295 megaw of solar and operate over 295 megaw of solar and - /c><00:09:24.200>
are Massachusetts solar panels are Massachusetts solar panels are considered - up to a 3-megawatt solar project.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP Info Briefing - Thu Apr 16, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A lot of that is because Oahu, the recent solar projects have packed solar panels tighter.
- have packed solar recent solar projects have packed solar panels<00:55:36.319>
tighter. - solar.
- mentioned a solar component. Is that mentioned a solar component.
- /c><01:38:11.600>
pretty <01:38:11.840>small solar solar is actually a pretty small solar
Keywords:
affordable housing, housing credits, perpetual credits, development, Hawaii Housing Finance, Vietnam veterans, commemorative medal, recognition, working group, Hawaii, no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, emergency response, disability access, 911 systems, life-saving measures
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- >
program <00:21:26.400>was The community solar garden program was The community solar - We have thriving solar market.
- solar.
- , market solar,<00:23:15.280>
and <00:23:15.520>community <00:23:15.840>solar. - <00:40:01.040>
And Minnesota, a victory for solar. And Minnesota, a victory for solar.
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
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm wondering why solar, as distinct from anything else?
- and many of them can produce a lot of solar.
- But solar is an easier avenue, more generally accepted.
- Tell me, what are the terms of those solar partners' leases?
- If it's a community solar project, it may not be.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on H. 3256, a bill stemming from the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force that would remove Chapter 61A barriers for certain renewable energy projects on non-producing agricultural land. Supporters said the bill would let farmers separate adjacent land from Chapter 61A without a municipal right of first refusal, avoid rollback and advance tax penalties, and use small solar or other renewable projects to generate supplemental income while keeping the farm in operation. Testimony emphasized that the proposal is intended to be “farm-first,” limited to marginal or accessory land, and could also produce local tax revenue for municipalities. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill should be limited to solar, the appropriate project size, impacts on other agricultural sectors, and whether future sales or conversion back to other uses should trigger local rights of first refusal. Witnesses said the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and noted that similar projects typically involve 20-year leases with extensions.
The committee also took testimony on S. 2009, which would authorize regional transportation ballot initiatives. MAPC and Transportation for Mass argued that the bill would give municipalities and groups of municipalities a flexible tool to raise local revenue for transportation projects such as transit, roads, bridges, bikeways, and pedestrian infrastructure, with sunset provisions so the revenue ends when the project ends. They said the measure would not raise taxes on its own, but would allow local voters to decide whether to adopt a revenue source, and pointed to examples from other states where similar initiatives funded major transit and infrastructure projects. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Testimony was also heard on S. 1922, which would create a Massachusetts fund allowing voluntary taxpayer donations to the UN Least Developed Countries Fund or related 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting climate-vulnerable communities. Climate Reality Project representatives said the bill would let Massachusetts residents support climate resilience projects in the world’s poorest countries at no cost to the Commonwealth, and could serve as a model for other states. Senators questioned how recipient countries and nonprofits would be selected, what safeguards would exist regarding countries such as Yemen, and how taxpayers would know where donations would go; witnesses said the fund would be administered through the UN system and that they would provide more clarification. Rep. Michelle Ciccolo also testified on H. 3051, seeking a one-year deferral of the higher interest rate that applies when deferred property taxes become due after the death of a senior or veteran, saying the current jump to 16% can burden heirs and discourage use of the deferral program. The hearing concluded without any votes or committee actions.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/19/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Nov 17th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- chart of the difference between Solar for All and community solar.
- With a focus on rooftop solar, what we're calling shared solar, which is the Solar for All version of
- shared solar.
- Um, community solar, there were some questions about the details of community solar.
- and for residential solar.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Mar 18th, 2026
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:27.360>
farm one-year moratorum on new solar farm one-year moratorum on new solar farm - probably not a lot of solar going on. probably not a lot of solar going on.
- agreement with who's putting the solar agreement with who's putting the solar farm<00:14:23.920>
- <00:14:30.079>
energy federal subsidies the the solar energy federal subsidies the the solar - <00:21:11.520>
you farm solar panels are are great. you farm solar panels are are great. you
Bills:
SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466, SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466
Keywords:
controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 04/07/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Minnesota solar. That was in the base. Minnesota solar. That was in the base.
- solar system has.
- Thank you. solar garden. Nearly 30% of motans are solar garden.
- Community solar solar garden program.
- We have utility-grade solar. We have solar that's available on the marketplace.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- . solar. solar.
- solar panels. solar panels.
- solar, uh, on the open market yes, solar solar, uh, on the open market is,<00:37:24.520>
uh, < - solar power has also solar power has also come<00:39:58.520>
down. - the expansion of solar fields. the expansion of solar fields.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee May 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- somebody else's rooftop solar.
- Closa said, how many non-solar folks are subsidizing those with solar.
- The reality is 10 million non-solar customers are subsidizing 2 million solar customers.
- Colosa said about how many non-solar folks are subsidizing those with non-solar.
- The reality is 10 million non-solar customers are subsidizing 2 million solar customers.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements.
Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs.
The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 19th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And so with that I forgot community solar.
- to be able to accept a battery and solar.
- I'd like to purchase community solar.
- We could incentivize rooftop solar and turn our neighborhoods into solar farms.
- solar.