Transcript Highlights:

• Section two on page six of the bill, Distributed Solar Energy Standard.
• energy solar standard.
• solar energy standard at precisely the wrong time.
• House File 4308, because we believe it weakens Minnesota's distributed solar energy standard at precisely
• Distributed solar adds capacity close to where the energy is used.

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> rate</c> distributed solar facilities retail rate distributed solar facilities retail rate for<00
• ><c> can</c><00:16:08.560><c> be</c> solar distributed Energy Systems can be solar distributed Energy
• that distributed energy resources create long-run value.
• that distributed energy resources create long-run value.
• their</c> we've got solar energy system on their we've got solar energy system on their Farms<01:01:

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:

• distribution systems, both systems<00:08:44.560><c> used</c><00:08:44.880><c> to</c><00:08:45.120><c
• </c><00:08:48.240><c> systems</c> farmers and of distribution systems farmers and of distribution systems
• The article modified the distribution formula for town aid to ensure that the full amount of the town
• </c><00:10:25.279><c> for</c> modified the distribution formula for modified the distribution formula
• </c><00:25:58.559><c> lines</c> cooperative distribution lines cooperative distribution lines exemption

Bills: HF9

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of where these distributed energy resources are located, this bill is really focused on the distribution
• So solar energy deck, or on a balcony.
• I plan to buy one, and I just love solar energy.
• So I really want to have solar energy available to me.
• I plan to buy one, and I'm just love solar energy.

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:

• It does; the trainees are still subject to state licensing standards.
• Standards that are established by TDLR and remain accountable to their employers.
• It does not lower certification standards, as trainees must still complete the training and pass exams
• BIPVs are different than traditional... solar panels; they act more like a traditional roofing material
• Members, SB 2075 relates to the establishment, governance, and standardization of advisory bodies that

Bills: SB1346, SB1376, SB2075, SB2167, SB2864

Keywords: lottery, prohibited sales, winning tickets, sales agents, license revocation, code enforcement, training requirements, supervision, registered officer, occupations code, advisory boards, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, public members, occupational regulations, professional standards, massage therapy, licensing, human trafficking, regulation, Occupations Code

Transcript Highlights:

• work very strongly on promoting wind and solar energy.
• Uh, the The issue we're facing, I'm often asked why not just do clean energy with wind and solar?
• It's thousands of solar panels that have made that nuclear fusion energy into all the gas and oil we
• We can see in nature that that solar energy is a possibility. That's how the world works.
• So solar energy, solar panels would be your, your, uh, it helped me.

Bills: HB 14, HB 106, HB 146, HB 267, HB 274, HB 1127, HB 1359, HB 1393, HB 1584, HB 1640, HB 1710, HB 2152, HCR 101, HJR 8, HR 51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• subjective based on community standards.
• and really more global. standards.
• The guide will include suggested questions to ask the electric provider, design elements of solar energy
• TSSA represents solar power and energy storage. 646 I am here today to testify in support of HB 1640.
• People want to do clean. energy.

Bills: HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• For all of those reasons, we have House File 3179, large building energy performance standards.
• For all of those reasons, we have House File 3179, large building energy performance standards.
• Uh, that's where building performance standards come in, or building energy performance standards.
• > um or building energy performance um or building energy performance standards.<00:58:41.520><c> Uh<
• Um, these are the right standards for ethical solar and storage sales.

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:

• source of future water supply and use, serve as the energy and energy transition capital of the world
• Currently, the Texas Property Code does not recognize solar roof tiles as solar energy, and so allows
• Solar roof tiles are miniature solar panels that resemble roof shingles and comprise an entire roof,
• unlike regular solar panels which are placed on top of existing shingles.
• In 2011, HB 362 granted solar panels legal protection against these HOA restrictions, but solar tiles

Bills: HB431, HB648, HB 1006, HB1926, HB2037, HB2468, HB2788, HB2791, HB3255, HB3260

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, restrictive covenants, real estate, subdivision regulations, multi-zoned subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• 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:

• garden and solar standard.
• And so solar garden and solar standard.
• > and</c><00:09:46.320><c> community</c> of solar energy in general and community of solar energy in
• enable community solar and solar energy development in our state.
• </c> Enterprise Energy brings a new solar Enterprise Energy brings a new solar project<00:31:25.039><

Bills: HF3556

Keywords: community solar, energy, solar power, renewable energy, Melissa Hortman, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Wind and solar facilities could also automatically exempt themselves if they acquire enough energy storage
• based on that. that standard.
• Over a hundred thirty billion dollars in capital has been invested in wind, solar, and energy storage
• Energy savings.
• to meet our energy needs.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Transcript Highlights:

• Wind and solar facilities could also automatically exempt themselves if they acquire enough energy storage
• Over $130 billion in capital is invested in wind, solar, and energy storage in Texas, and redirecting
• Why administer energy efficiency through the transmission and distribution utilities as we do?
• say energy efficiency goals how much energy demand is there on a daily basis can ...energy efficiency
• energy savings.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our solar mix, we will need substantial distributed solar, including the 1 to 10 megawatt Size that
• Community solar is the model adding more distributed solar to the system today.
• On the other side of the experiment, the distributed solar energy standard, which was created in 2020
• We are two years in, and Excel Energy, for example, has yet to deliver a single megawatt of solar energy
• And even though the value of solar is the only PUC-approved rate that accurately values distributed solar

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset

Transcript Highlights:

• On the other side of the experiment, the distributed solar energy standard, which was created in 2023
• Xcel Energy, for example, has yet to deliver a single megawatt of solar energy through that alternative
• On the other side of the experiment, the distributed solar energy standard, which was created in 2023
• On the other side of the experiment, the distributed solar energy standard, which was created in 2023
• </c> other solar energy that we could other solar energy that we could acquire<01:06:37.559><c> uh</c

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is called the Louisiana Energy Protection Act.
• This bill is called the Louisiana Energy Protection Act.
• Carrie Coat with Atmos Energy, in favor, not wishing to speak.
• Jody Montalero with 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

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met on May 14 and approved the April 29 minutes. The committee first heard HB 1056, which authorizes transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish tied to a former school building now considered dilapidated and a nuisance; it was reported favorably. HB 841, described as a landman code of conduct bill and expropriation-related measure, was voluntarily deferred so the sponsor could work on additional changes over the interim. The committee then took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which would bar future lawsuits seeking climate-change damages against fossil fuel companies and other entities. Supporters said it would prevent speculative climate litigation while preserving legitimate claims for permit violations and other existing statutory causes of action. Opponents from coastal litigation and the Sierra Club argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could affect legacy cases, property rights, and regulatory enforcement; the committee adopted Amendment 3875 to grandfather existing filed cases and make the bill effective upon gubernatorial signature, then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure and updating the state’s waste framework for modern energy components, was reported favorably. HB 637, which revises oil field site restoration fees and lowers rates for marginal, stripper, low-pressure, and incapable wells, was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 480, as amended, allowed boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou so long as they are not within an oyster lease and someone remains on board; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• 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.
• Jody Montalero with 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:

• or clean energy projects.
• Legislators may assume a moratorium is not intended to stop solar or clean energy projects.
• You can have solar panels in a field. You can also have battery storage without a solar panel.
• You can have solar panels in a field. You can also have battery storage without a solar panel.
• The SMART program that funds solar... ...hearing after hearing. The SMART program that funds solar.

Bills: H5171, H5261, H5294, H5317, S3026, S3033

Keywords: Holyoke, municipal governance, acting mayor, city council, local government, Oxford, town charter, municipal government, town manager, residency requirement, local approval, charter amendment, home rule, local governance, municipal administration, residence of officials, Worcester County, Worthington, solar, solar photovoltaic

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on late-filed bills and formal petitions, with testimony taken on Senate Bill 3026 and House Bill 5294. For S.3026, speakers from the Six Town Regional Planning Board and local town boards supported the bill as a way to equalize voting access for residents in a proposed regional school district reorganization. They said the measure would give all six towns the same opportunity to vote throughout the day, rather than limiting some towns to a single voting window, and argued the decision is especially important given declining enrollment and financial pressures on the school districts and towns involved. The committee then heard testimony on H.5294, a Worthington home rule petition seeking a one-year moratorium on certain large-scale solar and battery storage projects. Worthington officials, residents, and public health and conservation advocates said the town needs time to develop zoning, safety, and emergency response rules before more projects move forward. They raised concerns about limited municipal staff, volunteer fire department capacity, water supply and watershed impacts, decommissioning responsibilities, and the cumulative effect of industrial-scale solar development on rural character and farmland. Several witnesses emphasized that their opposition was not to solar energy itself, but to the pace and siting of projects in small rural towns with limited resources. They argued that state siting and permitting processes do not adequately account for local conditions in western Massachusetts and that towns need time to evaluate legal, environmental, and public health issues. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee concluded testimony without further action announced.

Bills: HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51, HB106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HJR8, HR51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and call this meeting of the Energy Finance and Policy Committee to order.
• Next, we're going to go on to House File 2442, the Energy Finance Bill.

Bills: HF2442

Keywords: climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy, solar incentive, Made in Minnesota, community solar gardens, transportation electrification, electric vehicles, grid-enhancing technologies, microgrid, University of St. Thomas, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, petroleum tank fund