Transcript Highlights:

• Um this bill, as amended, is the result of the Thermal Energy Network Deployment Work Group, as well
• </c><00:03:02.800><c> Their</c> thermal energy networks. Their thermal energy networks.
• ><c> an</c> Thermal energy networks are an Thermal energy networks are an innovative<00:03:10.320><c>
• </c> thermal energy networks or TENS. thermal energy networks or TENS.
• And so just I thermal energy networks.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It just gives them another tool in their toolbox that allows bonding for thermal energy networks. any
• It just gives Thermal energy networks use the ground to efficiently heat and cool buildings.
• The Trump Department of Energy is actively supporting thermal energy networks.
• The Trump Department of Energy is actively supporting thermal energy networks.
• Go over coal. &gt;&gt; Because I thought I Franson. &gt;&gt; A grandson. France unbowed side.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Major stakeholders of this legislations include coal abolition of Texans with disabilities, disabilities
• Fill in the flat areas and then thermal form plastic and foam to the model. to make sure that the child

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:11.880><c> the</c> heat pumps alongside solar thermal the heat pumps alongside solar thermal
• </c> same efficiency that a solar thermal same efficiency that a solar thermal system<00:49:17.160><c
• </c> um somebody who installs a solar thermal um somebody who installs a solar thermal system<00:49:21.599
• </c> efficiency as the standard solar thermal efficiency as the standard solar thermal system<00:49:42.400
• </c><00:49:53.160><c> whereas</c> year comes from solar thermal whereas year comes from solar thermal

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 117 on condominiums. Testifiers were split: reserve-study professionals and the Community Associations Institute opposed tying reserve requirements to assessed value, arguing reserve studies should be based on actual components and costs and that the bill could lead to over- or under-collection. Condominium owners and advocates supported the bill, saying some associations are not completing reserve studies or are failing to provide audits and adequate funding, and urging stronger fiduciary accountability. A member later asked about compliance rates, and a witness said he was not aware of any association that had failed to do a reserve study, estimating compliance at well over 95 percent, likely close to 100 percent. The committee then took testimony on HB 544 on pet insurance, which drew support from the Attorney General’s office and the Insurance Division with comments about contract-impairment issues, as well as support from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association and the Hawaiian Humane Society. Testifiers said the bill would help consumers understand and use pet insurance as veterinary costs rise. HB 983 on certified public accountants also drew mostly support, with the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants offering conditional support and proposed amendments. Public accountants said the bill could help address a shortage of CPAs and expand pathways into the profession, while some speakers cautioned that the language needed clarification and that public accounting experience should be tied to CPA-firm work. An instructor from UH West Oahu said students cannot afford the extra credits currently required and would benefit from a more accessible pathway. The committee also heard HB 1050 on Title 24, with DCCA supporting the measure and no opposition or questions. The discussion then moved to HB 256 HD1 on environmental protection and incinerator emissions. The Department of Health offered comments, while Energy Justice Network and Climate Protectors Hawaii supported strengthening the bill, warning that it could weaken existing standards at H-Power unless amended to preserve stricter state rules and require modern pollution controls. A member questioned the Department of Health about H-Power’s permits and whether additional controls would be required if federal rules change; the department said permits are reviewed every five years and that the facility currently meets state and federal requirements, while EPA rules remain in a public comment process. Finally, the committee heard HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, with support from the Consumer Advocate, State Energy Office, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaii Energy. The committee then heard HB 350 HD1 on energy, where the State Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray Corporation offered conditional comments urging any new mandated water-heating technology to meet the same efficiency level as existing solar thermal systems, and the Kauai Climate Action Coalition testified in support. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is solar thermal.
• Our view is just Mass Save already covers solar thermal and ground-source heat pumps and air-source heat
• The same thing is true with most thermal systems, most solar thermal systems as well.
• But there are also 831 units separately of solar thermal.
• , renewable thermal, which is a separate category, anaerobic digestion, all kinds of things.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on grid transmission and distribution, green financing, environmental justice, renewable portfolio standards, and clean energy workforce policy. Testimony on H. 352/S. 2268 focused on eliminating or scaling back the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, with Green Energy Consumers Alliance arguing it costs ratepayers about $30 million annually and largely subsidizes fossil-fuel combined heat and power, biodiesel blending, and woody biomass. Committee members raised concerns that a full repeal could affect heat pumps and solar thermal projects that currently receive APS credits, and the witness acknowledged those technologies are the strongest part of the program but said Mass Save would be a better home for them. Renew Northeast supported H. 3497 on renewable portfolio standard review and clean energy procurements, but urged an indexed renewable energy credit model like New York’s rather than an attribute-only arrangement, arguing it would reduce financing risk and consumer costs. Vote Solar and Senator Liz Miranda testified in support of H. 3540/S. 2303 on clean energy equity, saying environmental justice communities and renters receive too few benefits from clean energy spending and need stronger tracking, tenant protections, and measurable benefit allocation. Miranda described long-standing environmental harms in Roxbury and called for data and accountability to ensure benefits reach environmental justice communities. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 3475/S. 2276 on just transition and clean energy workforce standards. Labor representatives from the pile drivers, building trades, electrical contractors, SEIU, United Steelworkers, the AFL-CIO, and Climate Jobs Massachusetts Action backed the bill, emphasizing prevailing wage, project labor agreements, apprenticeship requirements, workforce transition plans, and protections for gas workers and other fossil-fuel employees as the state shifts to clean energy. They argued the bill would create family-sustaining jobs, support training, and prevent workers from being left behind during the transition. The hearing concluded after all sign-ups were heard, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have an estimate as the balance between renewables, wind, solar and then the traditional thermal
• Winter Storm Uri, right now, the market is not supporting the large growth Chairman Gleason: Of, say, thermal
• Chairman Gleason: They're also working with that generator to build new gas-fired generation, new thermal
• The Chinese government is supporting the construction of hundreds of coal plants across the country,

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have an estimate as the balance between renewables, wind, solar and then the traditional thermal
• about a lot since Winter Storm Uri, right now, the market is not supporting the large growth of, say, thermal
• They're also working with that generator to build new gas fired generation, new thermal dispatchable
• The Chinese government is supporting the construction of hundreds of coal plants across the country,

Transcript Highlights:

• The Sa service area covers 928 square miles, primarily in Bear County and portions of Atascosa, Coal,
• Um, the water is hypersaline, roughly 5 to 7 times the concentration of seawater, yet with thermal desalination
• And so this, um, Process moving forward would use desalination, especially thermal desalination to provide

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:39.000><c> thermal</c> thermal thermal thermal thermal projects<00:29:41.279><c> and</c><00:29
• </c> it so here goes by eliminating thermal it so here goes by eliminating thermal reck<00:39:06.359>
• </c><00:44:17.440><c> was</c> that it passed was because thermal was that it passed was because thermal
• </c> RPS um by recognizing thermal RPS um by recognizing thermal Technologies<00:44:56.800><c> and</c
• </c> bills so in so far as we have uh thermal bills so in so far as we have uh thermal sources<01:05:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mandate requires that the solar thermal mandate requires that the solar thermal system<00:47:32.520
• So it doesn’t matter if it’s a solar thermal system.
• So it doesn’t matter if it’s a solar thermal system.
• So it doesn’t matter if it’s a solar thermal system.
• So it doesn’t matter if it’s a solar thermal system.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Including in a thermal runaway incident.
• store propulsion batteries that are visibly damaged or otherwise suspected to have the potential for thermal
• runaway in an... the 27 potential for thermal runaway in an isolated area away from flammable materials
• If it's anything efficient, it's coming from natural gas or it's coming from coal.
• And I think that's due to our abundant natural gas and coal and fossil-fuel-powered energy resources

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Raqtem inkih inki addat tan kee oson sinni thermal energy credits akah aban innah eletriik aracal taama
• addat tan inki addat tan kee <00:09:50.066><c>oson </c><00:09:51.012><c>sinni </c><00:09:51.958><c>thermal
• </c> kee oson sinni thermal kee oson sinni thermal energy <00:09:53.630><c>credits </c><00:09:54.420>
• Thermal credits are also being used there.
• matters, but one thing must be done: PUC must allow retail electricity pricing, and the price of thermal

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the blue area there is the thermal generation, then you see the, uh, the increasing amounts of solar
• So what we saw in around 2021 or 2022 was that load moved above the thermal generation.
• I would say the thermal unit performance is the key thing was the factor, right?
• And so the, uh, the weatherization of those thermal units, the weatherization of the gas system, all
• And thermal generation, and we've got to maintain that balance.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reduces the utility obligation to procure class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2%
• It reduces the utility obligation to procure class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2%
• It reduces the utility obligation to procure class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2%
• Class I thermal is wood biomass, wood burning primarily for heat, and Class IV is small hydro.
• Class one thermal is wood biomass.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard. Representative Bose explained that the bill would modify class one definitions, eliminate class two, reduce the utility obligation for class one thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjust alternative compliance payments for classes one, three, and four. He said the changes were intended to save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, would not materially harm the renewable portfolio standard, and would have little effect on class two because that market is already saturated. Members questioned the impact on consumers, the state budget, and the renewable energy fund; Bose said the fund had already been redirected in the state budget, and another member noted an amended fiscal note showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue. The committee also discussed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and later removed by the Senate, and Bose said the Senate’s eventual action was hard to predict. The committee then heard House Bill 164 on local records retention from Secretary of State David Scanlan. He said the long-standing local records manager position had never been funded, but that the need for it had grown as towns increasingly digitize records and must ensure accessibility, including ADA compliance. He described the bill as a way to provide state support and expertise to municipalities, especially smaller towns with limited resources, and said the fiscal note for hiring the position remained accurate, though broader website and storage costs could rise over time. Members asked about retrieving lost records, the cost of a public website, and whether records should remain local or be stored at the state level; Scanlan said the state would serve as a resource rather than take control of local records. Finally, the committee began work on House Bill 365, also with Secretary Scanlan, concerning proof of U.S. citizenship for indigent voters. He said the bill would help voters who may lack required documents under the new voter registration law by allowing the state to verify qualifications through federal, private, or other state databases and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to earlier voter ID accommodations and said the goal was to help qualified voters meet the new requirements without weakening them. Members raised questions about defining “indigent,” how out-of-state birth records would be handled, and the practicality of the verification process; Scanlan said the term would likely need further discussion and that the state would try to assist voters before election day whenever possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• inventor and agriculturalist in the northern part of Minnesota, whose uh legacy is currently uh the Thermal
• So Minnesota doesn't have any oil, coal, or natural gas, but we have abundant sunshine and wind energy
• </c><01:21:30.000><c> have</c><01:21:30.159><c> any</c><01:21:30.320><c> oil,</c><01:21:30.960><c> coal
• </c><01:21:31.280><c> or</c> Minnesota doesn't have any oil, coal or Minnesota doesn't have any oil,
• coal or natural<01:21:31.840><c> gas,</c><01:21:32.320><c> but</c><01:21:32.560><c> we</c><01:21:32.719

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The area there is the thermal generation, then you see the increasing amounts of solar, wind, and battery
• Above the thermal generation, which means that in order to serve the load on some days you had to have
• The other thing I'd point out in this is that 41% of the thermal fleet now is over 31, 30 years old.
• So let's dive into that. performance of thermal units or we had potentially a a different mix of energy
• grid and what we need that there's a balance between intermittent generation, wind and solar, and thermal

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the useful thermal going forward.
• Class One thermal, we didn't talk about this. I want to point out something very important.
• </c><01:53:42.040><c> And</c> where your thermal wrecks come in.
• And where your thermal wrecks come in.
• </c> thermal thing. thermal thing.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The big guys are using thermal oxidizers, catalytic oxidizers, metal precipitation, metal stabilization
• that fire departments and emergency response authorities have jurisdiction over events involving thermal
• that fire departments and emergency response authorities have jurisdiction over events involving thermal
• that fire departments and emergency response authorities have jurisdiction over events involving thermal
• it was possible that the tank could keep heating up to the point where it would explode due to a thermal

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard several bills focused on wildfire preparedness, industrial safety, and recycling oversight. SB 1153 by Senator Caballero would require urban retail water suppliers to add wildfire-specific procedures to emergency plans and coordinate with fire agencies; supporters said it would improve planning while recognizing water system limits, and the bill was framed as protecting ratepayers and infrastructure. SB 811, also by Senator Caballero, would create a comprehensive DTSC permitting and regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities; supporters argued it would set clear statewide standards and protect communities, while opponents said it would weaken hazardous waste protections and carve the industry out of existing law. SB 883 by Senator Umberg would impose new safeguards for facilities storing reactive chemicals such as methyl methacrylate after the Garden Grove evacuation, including backup cooling, public review, emergency planning, and state tracking; industry groups opposed the breadth of the bill and sought further clarification, while environmental and community groups supported it. SB 1010 by Senator Ashby would strengthen oversight of appliance recyclers by improving reporting, inspections, certification, and funding for enforcement; supporters said it would reduce emissions and improve compliance, while recyclers raised concerns about fees and certification requirements. Each bill drew extensive testimony from industry, environmental, labor, local government, and community representatives. Supporters generally emphasized public safety, transparency, and the need for clearer statewide standards, while opponents warned about overregulation, reduced flexibility, or unintended impacts on existing hazardous waste and recycling systems. Committee members also raised questions about transparency, liability, size-based treatment of facilities, and whether the bills were narrowly tailored enough to address the problems identified. The committee voted to advance all four measures to the Committee on Appropriations, with votes taken on call and some members voting no or not voting on certain bills. The final add-on votes showed SB 811, SB 883, SB 1010, and SB 1153 all passing out of committee, with the roll left open for absent members before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a concentrated solar thermal system uses mirrors to concentrate and collect sunlight to
• In 1990, coal was Minnesota's primary energy source, and it contributed just over 65% of total generation
• In 1990, coal was Minnesota's primary energy source, and it contributed just over 65% of total generation
• And so, like, what percentage comes from coal, what percentage comes from different renewable energy
• And so, like, what percentage comes from coal, what percentage comes from different renewable energy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, the policy provisions in the bill include Department of Commerce thermal energy networks,
• The policy provisions in the bill include Department of Commerce thermal energy networks, the Climate
• It deals with thermal energy networks.
• </c> It deals with thermal energy networks. It deals with thermal energy networks.
• </c><00:14:43.440><c> energy</c> the money from the um thermal energy the money from the um thermal energy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all