Transcript Highlights:

• And these class of devices I'm going to call distributed energy resources.
• Electron is an electron, and there's a lot of devices out there that can provide distributed energy resources
• Because of where these distributed energy resources are located, this bill is really focused on the distribution
• so that these distributed resources function like a grid-scale generation resource.
• so that these distributed resources function like a grid-scale generation resource.

Bills: HF2986, HF3555

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• Section two on page six of the bill, Distributed Solar Energy Standard.
• Distributed solar adds capacity close to where the energy is used.
• resources or the benefits of distributed resources or the additional<00:18:58.679> infrastructure
• ,<00:26:05.560> like energy efficiency as a resource, like energy efficiency as a resource
• :26:09.800> a<00:26:09.880> resource resource energy efficiency is a resource resource

Bills: HF4308, HF4153, HF4703, HF4711

Keywords: HF4308, Monticello nuclear plant, Prairie Island, renewable development account, RDA, nuclear waste, spent fuel, dry cask storage, utility tax, commercial-industrial property tax, state general levy, property tax exemption, residential heating fuels, natural gas tax exemption, electricity sales tax exemption, year-round sales tax exemption, distributed solar energy standard, solar mandate, community solar, grid modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• c> be solar distributed Energy Systems can be solar distributed Energy Systems can be an<00:16:08.880
• energy resources create long-run value.
• energy resources create long-run value.
• And so to move towards more distributed energy resources, which we need because central station power
• And so to move towards more distributed energy resources, which we need because central station power

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama's been blessed with oil and gas in many ways and forms, and we have gone after those energy sources
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.
• Alternative energy is, uh, geothermal basically.

Bills: SB174, SB174

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment

Transcript Highlights:

• So every energy resource has some sort of environmental impact.
• So that dispatchable resource is going to be vital to providing a robust grid that can support the energy
• Renewable energy.
• Just again, the debate whether this is a renewable energy resource or not, I think, was compelling for
• Put out the alternative renewable energy resources to do it.

Bills: SB78, SB235, SB22, SB310

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• While the commission supports efforts to expedite the interconnection of distributed energy resources
• energy resources or energy efficiency technology.
• <00:04:14.319> energy<00:04:14.720> resources,<00:04:15.360> the distributed energy
• resources, the distributed energy resources, the commission<00:04:16.239> does<00:04:16.479><
• energy distributed energy resources or energy distributed energy resources or energy efficiency<00

Bills: SB2033, SB2487, SB2497, SB2471, SB2829

Keywords: renewable energy, grid-ready homes, interconnection process, electric utility, energy independence, surcharge, customer access, energy storage, smart inverters, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, electric utility rates, ratemaking, performance-based regulation, performance-based incentives, performance incentive mechanisms, revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, reward and penalty mechanisms, alternative ratemaking

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Energy Alley is about developing a kind of Silicon Valley of clean energy in Minnesota.
• We are leading in deploying clean energy in Minnesota, so let's capitalize on that to create an energy
• affordable Energy affordable Energy Future<00:03:59.799> I'm<00:03:59.840> going<00
• you might have about Minnesota Energy you might have about Minnesota Energy alley<00:09:03.600><
• partnership with Xcel Energy.

Bills: HF1013, HF1598, HF1656, HF2162

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

Bills: SB 2188, SB 2230, SB 1763, SB 879, SB 1147

Keywords: education, funding, state budget, public schools, school choice, geothermal energy, environmental regulation, Railroad Commission of Texas, closed-loop systems, energy production, regulatory exemption, mining, interstate compact, Texas, natural resources, state withdrawal

Transcript Highlights:

• Sector where we have energy, where we meet the energy needs of the state of Texas, but I also think that
• To make hydrogen, you put energy into the process, and that energy has emissions with it, especially
• Chairman Darby, Vice Chairman Morales, and esteemed members of the Energy Resources Committee, thank
• On personal testimony, I've been in the energy business for over 15 years, running renewable energy companies
• I'm an oil and gas, natural resources, and energy attorney.

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Energy Resources will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Darby?
• Luke, I have you registered as owner of EPEC Energy and SELF.
• We do have a resource witness.
• Withheld funds that were rightfully due should have been distributed.
• I’m also on the board of the Texas Energy Council, which advocates energy education for K through 12

Bills: HB3619, HB3652, HB4572, HB4891, HB4941, HB5103, HB5105, HB5106, HB5224, HB5600

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Land and Natural Resources Department of Land and Natural Resources until<00:05:51.680
• improvement takes some uh some resources improvement takes some uh some resources and<01:06:27.920
• , you're um don't have a lot of resources, you're um don't have a lot of resources, don't<01:11:54.159
• resources, more support, more staff. resources, more support, more staff.
• were always looking for more resources. were always looking for more resources.

Bills: HB1601, HB1828, HB1616, HB1603, HB1606, HB1604, HB1605

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the meeting of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
• This bill is called the Louisiana Energy Protection Act.
• This bill is called the Louisiana Energy Protection Act.
• Energy, in favor, not wishing to speak.
• Eric Morvon with Energy, in favor, not wishing to speak.

Bills: SB480, HB621, HB637, HB804, HB841, HB1056

Keywords: fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you just here as a resource witness? I'm only here as a resource witness. All right.
• Demand for energy-intensive data services, so under current law, electricity and gas used directly in
• connectivity to regional electrical sources. infrastructure or impact on the Texas electrical distribution

Bills: HB 105, HB982, HB1483, HB1508, HB2575, HB3646, HB3993, HB4083, HB4580, HB4725, HB5169, HB5511, HJR73, HJR102, HJR174, HB3746, HB4240

Keywords: economic development, job creation, energy, tax incentives, technology investment, ad valorem taxes, elderly, disabled, low-income, tax limitation, homesteads, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, residential real property, home improvement, energy efficiency, energy-efficient upgrades, HVAC

Transcript Highlights:

• , which conducts a geoscience and engineering research to increase the production of energy resources
• aggregates, naturally occurring hydrogen and helium, and geothermal energy. energy.
• America's energy leader.
• We have the resources.
• You lose that resource. We've never as a state adequately valued the resource itself.

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Nuclear energy is a carbon-free resource and could Available in the future.
• Nuclear energy is a carbon-free resource and could play a role in supporting reliability and long-term
• It is already in law that nuclear energy is a zero-carbon resource.
• It is already in law that nuclear energy is a zero-carbon resource for New Mexico.
• I am Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Energy at Western Resource Advocates.

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:

• It improves how we use Minnesota energy resources.
• agriculture technology and energy agriculture technology and energy infrastructure<00:08:04.400>
• <00:16:16.959> resources, Replicate wherever energy resources, grid congestion, and demand
• ammonia energy. ammonia energy.
• To me, the you know, resources.

Bills: HF2103, HF4508

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, elk, cervidae, cervid importation, chronic wasting disease, CWD, animal health, livestock, wildlife disease, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, state veterinarian, zoo, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities that understand what energy resources they have can make better decisions about local infrastructure
• Communities that understand<00:41:48.040> what<00:41:48.240> energy<00:41:48.560> resources
• <00:41:49.400> they understand what energy resources they understand what energy resources
• adding those resources to our system, and the energy, or the cost causer, so to speak, Google in this
• adding those resources to our system, and the energy, or the cost causer, so to speak, Google in this

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• resources that work when needed the most. $130 billion has been invested in wind, solar, and energy
• That's an energy challenge.
• We have all those resources.
• We're paying the less reliable resources and underpaying the more reliable resources.
• Response resources prior to an attack.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• DER is a Distributed Energy Resource; it's defined in the bill, and I think we'll probably have some
• energy resources.
• , which creates the necessary framework Texas needs for these distributed energy resources.
• Generally speaking, Texas has room for improvement on distributed energy resources (DERs) and on the
• You know, when we talk about how these new resources connect with the distribution system, it really

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• DER is a distributed energy resource. It's defined in the bill.
• DER is a distributed energy resource. It's defined in the bill.
• energy resources.
• energy resources.
• energy resource, which itself is registered.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, as substituted, on distributed energy resources (DERs). Johnson said the bill was intended to create a regulatory framework for DERs and virtual power plants, address interconnection and registration issues, and prevent regulatory capture as the industry grows. Testimony was split: Texas Electric Cooperatives asked for clarification so co-ops would not be unintentionally excluded from owning or operating DERs; AECT supported the bill as providing needed rules and customer protections; TABA, Texas Solar and Storage Association, Sierra Club, Texas Solar Energy Society, and several others opposed it or raised concerns that it was too utility-centric, imposed red tape, and could burden homeowners and small businesses with registration and interconnection requirements. Johnson repeatedly said the bill was not meant to stop rooftop solar or backup systems and that he was open to specific redlines and further changes. SB 2021 was left pending after testimony. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, which would end government payroll deduction for dues to certain public employee organizations, while exempting first responders under Chapters 143 and 147 and making other conforming changes in a committee substitute. Parker argued the bill was about government neutrality, transparency, and employee freedom from coercion, and said organizations can collect dues directly using modern payment methods. Supporters from Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation, ABC Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said taxpayer-funded payroll systems should not be used to collect dues for private organizations, especially ones involved in political activity. Opponents, including ATPE, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Public Employees Association, and correctional employees, said payroll deduction is a convenient, secure service that helps professional associations and employee groups, and argued the bill would burden teachers and other public employees. Several witnesses and senators focused on the bill’s exemptions and whether it treated teachers differently from first responders. Senator Menendez questioned why some public employees were excluded while others were not, and a Houston police union representative said he moved from opposing to supporting the bill after being told the substitute would preserve meet-and-confer deductions under Chapters 143 and 147. Senator Parker closed by saying the bill was not meant to eliminate associations or payroll deduction entirely, only to remove the state as a middleman. SB 2330 was left pending, and the committee then recessed subject to call.