Transcript Highlights:

• Reliability has suffered.
• The act ensures we get back to reliable energy.
• THE ACT ENSURES WE GET BACK TO RELIABLE ENERGY.
• Taking affordable and reliable options off the table is not sound policy.
• This measure puts reliability first.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > and<00:06:39.400> largecale an energy reliability and largecale an energy reliability
• I share your concerns around reliability. I share your concerns around reliability.
• Now, you said you're not an expert on reliability, but the North American Reliability Corporation, which
• December regarding the reliability December regarding the reliability challenges<04:38:00.639>
• All it does not provide reliability.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• every sector of the state's economy, from farming to mining to high-tech industry, requires safe and reliable
• , and expanding the use of reclaimed water to replenish aquifers and improve local water supply reliability
• water and sanitary services, protect public health and the environment, improve local water supply reliability
• water sector professionals in the state are dedicated to ensuring these water resources are safe and reliable
• I know that... reliability, and whereas local public water and wastewater agencies invest annually in

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and electronic roll call showing 24 members present, zero absent, and six excused. The Journal for March 23, 2026 was approved, and Senator Dunn introduced an intern from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Natural Resource Users Law and Policy Center. The main substantive item was a legislative proclamation recognizing April 26 through May 2, 2026 as Arizona Water Professionals Week. Senator Gabaldón read the proclamation and introduced guests from the Arizona water community, emphasizing the importance of water professionals, water reliability, and the state’s water management efforts. Senators Dunn, Sundareshan, Shope, and Gabaldón were listed as signatories, and Gabaldón also congratulated Trey Harris of Community Water Company of Green Valley for an upcoming award. The chamber then handled routine business: House and Senate bills were read into the record and referred to committees, including measures on local government investment pools, housing zoning in historic neighborhoods, juvenile penalties, workers’ compensation fraud notice, the Arizona State Trade Commission, justice court administration, and a sexual abuse prevention pilot program. House Bill 2673 was withdrawn from committee. Committee meeting announcements were made for the next day, and the Senate adjourned by motion until March 25, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the PUC to establish clear performance metrics on things we should know, like reliability
• That's the right thing to do; it's how we ensure reliability.
• That's the right thing to do is how we ensure reliability.
• Small tweak to this joint reliability power assessment, bringing before you all members. Aye.
• joint reliability power assessment, bringing before you all members.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contrast, are experts in the reliable contrast, are experts in the reliable transmission<00:25:49.919
• create operational and reliability create operational and reliability challenges.<01:38:30.080><
• They're not reliable. Um, and uh, right? They're not reliable.
• just 833 million in reliability just 833 million in reliability projects.<02:35:41.200> Now,<
• ,<02:48:05.120> and and a more efficient, reliable, and and a more efficient, reliable, and

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a utility, we believe If we can safely, reliably, and affordably serve a data center, or any large
• Ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable power is the focus of our organization.
• That work together to provide reliable and flexible power.
• Power source, VPPs can make the grid more reliable by tapping into many distributed resources instead
• It is wise policy providing both utilities and their customers with major savings for reliable clean

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• in nuclear technology and other emerging technologies present exciting opportunities to add new reliable
• In today's day and age, it's just very, very reliable. And so I don't envision a future where we...
• You're saying this is the most reliable, dependable, clean, and cheap once it's built. Yes.
• . reliable electricity.
• I understand, you know, I'm trying to have a statewide standard for quality and reliability.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Permian Basin reliability plan has also been mentioned.
• These resources are making a significant impact on grid reliability.
• Let's continue to allow the new reliability tools to work.
• That said, staying focused on grid reliability is important.
• We will, um, always strive to improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• public water alternatives that can be found where there would be long-term provision of safe and reliable
• So it's in the kind of 10 to 24% of their nameplate capacity range is what you could count on as reliable
• So if we can build all those by 2030, we'll have enough to meet our reliability needs by 2030.
• solar, batteries, and a little bit of natural gas gets a awful long way towards reducing carbon reliably
• That is reliable and ready for when we have a problem.

Summary: The committee held a work session covering PFAS regulation and impacts, no-cost allowance allocation for emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries (EITEs), and regional resource adequacy and data center load growth. Senator Victoria Hunt was welcomed as a new member. The Department of Ecology reviewed Washington’s Safer Products for Washington PFAS work, including completed restrictions on PFAS in outdoor furniture, carpets, rugs, stain/water-resistant treatments, and newer rules adopted in November restricting PFAS in most apparel, cleaning products, and automotive washes, with reporting requirements for some other products such as cookware and firefighting gear. Ecology also described Cycle 2 PFAS reviews now underway, including artificial turf and paints, and answered questions about compliance, online sales, sell-through periods, and how Washington’s approach differs from broader bans in states like Maine and Minnesota. The Department of Ecology also presented on PFAS in biosolids, describing a 2024 sampling study, limitations in testing methods, and a 2025 statutory amendment requiring additional sampling between 2027 and 2028 and a report to the legislature in 2029. The Department of Health then updated the committee on PFAS in drinking water, reporting that most Group A public water systems have completed sampling, that 317 sources and 188 systems are expected to exceed new contaminant levels, and that treatment costs for public systems are estimated at about $970 million, leaving a large funding gap; members also asked about private wells, health effects, bathing exposure, and home filters. The Board of Health’s new state action levels are being aligned with federal MCLs, and the department said it expects to continue monitoring and notification under state rules. Ecology also briefed the committee on no-cost allowance allocations to EITEs under the Climate Commitment Act, explaining the leakage-mitigation rationale, the current allocation schedule through 2034, and a forthcoming report on policy options for 2035-2050; members asked about industry barriers, competitiveness, and whether facilities might leave the state. Finally, E3 presented a regional resource adequacy study showing rising load, retirements outpacing additions, limited winter reliability value from wind, solar, and batteries, and a projected shortfall beginning in 2026 that could grow to about 9,000 MW by 2030 if planned projects are not built. The presentation emphasized winter cold-weather events, hydro variability, the importance of permitting and transmission, and longer-term options including nuclear, geothermal, hydrogen, carbon capture, and long-duration storage. EPRI then introduced its DC Flex initiative, which is studying how data centers can provide flexible load through workload shifting, cooling optimization, and on-site backup or bridging resources to reduce grid stress and protect ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to those, the green shows some additional reliability upgrades.
• These are needed to really assure Some additional reliability upgrades.
• These are needed to really assure that the system meets federal reliability standards.
• That we would still benefit from and still see lower energy costs and better reliability and enhanced
• And so our goal is really to support the collaboration to build the diverse and reliable pipeline of

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reliability studies in conjunction with the transmission provider.
• A well-defined pathway would support both grid reliability and investment planning.
• This is important so that we can ensure a more reliable grid in partnership with you all.
• I would say that the technology is proving itself to be both reliable and safe.
• It is safe, reliable, resilient, and cost-effective, and a major part of our grid.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 78 is about protecting rural New Mexicans and keeping electricity affordable and reliable.
• For rural communities, reliability isn't theoretical.
• New Mexico businesses say energy reliability and affordability matter just as much as emissions goals
• A diversified, reliable energy portfolio makes New Mexico more competitive for high-wage job creation
• A diversified, reliable energy portfolio makes New Mexico more competitive for high-wage job creation

Bills: SB47, SB195, SB196, SB197, SB198, SB78

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, soil conservation, water resources, training services, outreach programs, environmental protection, animal care, veterinary services, spay and neuter, Las Vegas, community funding, animal welfare, animal shelter

Transcript Highlights:

• We would expect some staying power and reliability from the PRC themselves. reliability from the PRC
• Chairman, grid reliability. With this council, Mr.
• It's not looking at pushing things that are not cost effective and not reliable.
• It's not reliable, right? not cost effective and not reliable.
• It's not reliable, right? So I just wanted to make that comment, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:21.040> and and increased reliability and and increased reliability and resilience.
• They can improve<00:23:00.000> reliability.
• They maintain grid improve reliability.
• He can't expand geographically, but he can be affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
• He can't expand geographically, but he can be affordable, reliable, and sustainable.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want reliability.
• They contribute to reliability as well. And that's our distributed energy.
• mechanism to promote affordable reliable mechanism to promote affordable reliable diverse<00:10:
• They contribute to reliability<00:10:29.839> as<00:10:30.160> well.
• create reliability too. create reliability too.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:06.880> and testimony cannot be used uh reliably and testimony cannot be used uh reliably
• And so the question is really about what is reliable legal evidence that goes to the question of who
• And I think that's where Pennington makes a sensible rule that it would not be reliable evidence in a
• evidence in a court be reliable evidence in a court proceeding.<00:26:47.120> Represent<00:26
• But also in Pennington, if I were to take the assumption that you have that Pennington is a reliable

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes access to safe and reliable wheelchair accessible vehicles, or WAVs.
• and retain reliable drivers. and retain reliable drivers.
• And then conversely, as one respondent shared, reliable transportation can be life-changing because,
• can be reliable transportation can be life-changing<00:43:14.800> because<00:43:15.240> it
• also improve reliability, Detectors also improve reliability, reduce<01:05:46.400> unplanned<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:26.160> service must provide safe and reliable service must provide safe and reliable
• Cost, reliability, and compliance with state law are the focus of our review at this stage.
• Cost, reliability, and compliance with state law are the focus of our review at this stage.
• Cost, reliability, and compliance with state law are the focus of our review at this stage.
• <00:45:13.440> issues, cost or transmission reliability issues, cost or transmission reliability

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:43.199> energy to provide motans with reliable energy to provide motans with reliable
• are high efficiency, high reliability are high efficiency, high reliability means<00:16:37.360><
• <00:16:48.320> in year-round comfort and reliability in year-round comfort and reliability
• forward towards creating reliable forward towards creating reliable renewable<00:20:28.159> energy
• :22.160> power reliable, cost-effective, cleaner power reliable, cost-effective, cleaner power

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• focus on two main areas today, contested cases and strengthening infrastructure resiliency and reliability
• This ensures Texans have the reliable. services they deserve and keeps our state's economy humming as
• Retaining this experienced staff has been key to supporting our work. we expect resiliency and reliability
• for implementing the reliability requirements for generators by 27. I'm I'm not following.
• quicker if the legislature just said you know what we asked you guys to issue these kind of reliability

Keywords: 1184, house, all