Video & Transcript Research : 'energy-efficient upgrades'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures. Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS, HHS Public Hearings 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Department of Health faces a huge task in administering these cesspool upgrades over the next 25
  • uh to a system of uh cesspool upgrades uh to a system approved<00:05:26.440> by<00:05:26.560>
  • As the Department of Health testified a little while ago, a successful cesspool upgrade program needs
  • while ago, a successful cesspool upgrade while ago, a successful cesspool upgrade program<00:13:
  • So, part two opposed, upgrade effort.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several cesspool-related measures. HB 1730 HD2 would create a cesspool conversion implementation working group to help the Department of Health review rules and practices and develop changes to make conversions more affordable. DOH and DLNR stood on written testimony, while environmental and wastewater advocates strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for dedicated staffing, technical expertise, and smaller, more focused advisory groups. Members discussed the high cost of upgrades and the need for new technologies that reduce excavation and leach field costs. The bill was passed with amendments, including clarifying the DOH director’s discretion over the size of the working group, and the committee noted DOH’s appropriation request for consideration. HB 1985 HD1 would extend certain cesspool conversion deadlines and authorize funding for consultants, while also advancing outreach and education. Testimony split sharply: advocates supported the education component but opposed deadline extensions as premature, arguing the state still has many years before the 2050 mandate and should not weaken the conversion timeline. The committee agreed to amend the bill to delete the deadline-extension portion, keep technical changes, and note DOH’s position request. HB 1749 HD2 would require sellers to disclose cesspools to buyers before a real estate purchase contract is executed and direct DOH and the Real Estate Commission to create a standardized form. Realtors supported the intent but asked to avoid duplicative statutory form requirements, and advocates stressed that disclosure should be prominent and not buried in paperwork. The committee adopted amendments removing the standardized-form mandate and passed the bill. HB 1921 HD2 would allow certain existing cesspools in priority level three areas to continue serving dwellings with additional bedrooms under conditions. DOH brought the measure, and supporters from the real estate and environmental sectors discussed innovative wastewater technologies, retrofits, and composting toilets as ways to reduce costs while improving treatment. The committee amended the bill to require DOH director-approved wastewater technology using solid waste separation for bedroom-count increases and to clarify priority-level determinations using block-level data from the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool, then passed it. The committee also heard HB 2310, an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to restore funding used to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the federal shutdown; DHS, public health, children’s advocates, and others supported it, and members questioned why it was not handled through the budget. The discussion clarified that the bill sought new money to move quickly for ACA-related premium support. No final vote on HB 2310 was shown in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Thu Jan 29, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • No, Hawaii State Energy Office. Chris Shunker from the Hawaii State Energy Office.
  • Energy Office. Uh we stand on our Energy Office.
  • homeowners with the cost of upgrading homeowners with the cost of upgrading cesspools<00:38:42.320
  • I need to upgrade my cesspool by law.
  • This is the bill relating to energy.
Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Jan 22nd, 2026

Transportation and Energy

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
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, in your comes to energy efficiency.
  • > the by energy efficiency within um the by energy efficiency within um the state.<00:18:23.520
  • > apply in energy efficiency where they apply in energy efficiency where they apply for<00:21:
  • Well, I mean energy efficiency is doing more with less.
  • Well, I mean energy efficiency is doing more with less.
Bills: HF3296, HF3802
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Mar 31st, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the energy, I mean Texas has so much geothermal energy currently right now that it's going to be
  • There's a lot of energy there.
  • Significant presence of high energy-producing zones.
  • That's energy intensive, and if we could provide the energy for that reverse osmosis plant, through a
  • , low-to-zero carbon energy for the state and the world.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Energy Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • a time when we are working to increase energy efficiency.
  • While additional energy sales can help our utilities pay for the infrastructure upgrades our system needs
  • really trying to build energy efficiency into everything, I think it only makes sense that we have a
  • smarter and more efficiently.
  • efficiency remodel plus home solar for a better. clean energy future.
Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • a time when we are working to increase energy efficiency.
  • really trying to build energy efficiency into everything, I think it only makes sense that we have a
  • <00:47:54.000> efficiency<00:47:54.640> into trying to build energy efficiency into
  • trying to build energy efficiency into everything,<00:47:55.760> I<00:47:56.000> think
  • home energy efficiency remodel plus home energy efficiency remodel plus home solar<01:30:42.320
Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:09:45.959> efficient heat pumps incredibly energy efficient heat pumps incredibly energy
  • <00:32:12.159> Efficiency<00:32:13.159> and I love building Energy Efficiency and I
  • that will greatly enhance Energy that will greatly enhance Energy Efficiency<00:40:39.359> and
  • <00:42:05.359> Efficiency animal habitat and Energy Efficiency animal habitat and Energy Efficiency
  • <00:54:10.599> High energy networks are high efficiency High energy networks are high efficiency
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP-LAB Joint Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • , Energy, Legacy Energy, and Hawaii Energy Connection, we also have nine individuals in opposition. >
  • , Energy, Legacy Energy, and Hawaii Energy Connection, we also have nine individuals in opposition.
  • Sun Sphere, Energy, Legacy Energy, Sun Sphere, Energy, Legacy Energy, Hawaii<00:41:17.600> Energy<
  • We have testimony in support from Energy Advisors LLC, Alternate Energy PV Tech, Independent Energy,
  • energy equity. energy equity.
Bills: SB3326
Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • When we make buildings more energy efficient, we use less energy, thereby making bills lower and reducing
  • When we make buildings more energy efficient, we use less energy, thereby making bills lower and reducing
  • efficiency as a way to save energy and reduce costs.
  • we don't have any larger energy we don't have any larger energy efficiency<00:53:05.920> targets
  • can take a look at the um the energy can take a look at the um the energy efficiency<00:53:23.160
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP-HSH Joint Public Hearing - Tue Feb 10, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • In the interest of energy efficiency, please pass this bill so you can save all of our energy and resources
  • Uh, but Monique Zanfest, who's our head of energy efficiency and renewable energy, uh, she's an environmental
  • Thank you. renewable energy goals etc. Have you renewable energy goals etc.
  • That may be some of our more expensive<02:03:48.719> energy expensive energy expensive energy
  • they<02:07:55.199> have on energy on renewable energy they have on energy on renewable
Bills: HB2284
Summary: The hearing covered House Bill 2284, which would create the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program in the Department of Human Services to help qualifying households pay energy bills and direct the Public Utilities Commission’s public benefits fee administrator to provide information and assistance to recipients. Testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, DHS, and the Public Utilities Commission was in support. A committee member asked about how the program would interact with existing TANF-related energy assistance and whether rules could be adjusted to avoid duplicative benefits; DHS said logistics would need to be worked out and that the agencies would make the rules. The committees noted the bill’s $1.5 million appropriation and moved it forward with amendments, including blanking out amounts and noting them in the committee report. Both committees voted to pass HB 2284 with amendments, with the recommendation adopted. The committee then heard House Bill 2486, relating to plug-in or balcony solar. DCCA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission stood on prior testimony in support of the bill’s intent. Multiple advocates and organizations, including Carbon Cashback Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Bright Saver, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, testified in support, arguing that plug-in solar would lower electricity bills, expand access for renters and condo residents, and reduce emissions. Several speakers urged the committee to remove or avoid registration, reporting, feed-in tariff, interconnection fee, and other requirements they said would create barriers. Bright Saver testified that the systems are safe and would not back-feed during outages. No vote was taken on HB 2486 during the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1568, which would prohibit the importation or storage of LNG in the state and the construction of related infrastructure. State agencies including the Consumer Advocate, Hawaii State Energy Office, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill, with the Energy Office arguing LNG would perpetuate oil use on Oahu and expose the state to price volatility. Supporters included Life of the Land, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Earthjustice, Our Hawaii, and others, who argued LNG would lock Hawaii into another fossil fuel dependency, create major infrastructure costs and safety risks, and undermine the state’s renewable energy goals. Several testifiers cited climate and affordability concerns and urged the committee to reject LNG. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1568, before any committee action or vote is shown.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Energy Committee Meeting - 2025-04-10

Energy Finance and Policy

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
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25

Energy Finance and Policy

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.
  • We're going to go on to do House File 2442, the energy finance bill.
Bills: HF2442
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EIG-CPN, EIG, EIG-TRS Public Hearings 04-16-2026

Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for joining us for this joint committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and our good
  • On our testifiers list, we have Hawaii State Energy Office. Monique?
  • My name is Monique Sampis for the Hawaii State Energy Office.
  • Our incredible chair of the Committee on Energy. Thank you, Mrs. Terrific. Um, okay.
  • <00:14:59.480> and the Committee on Energy and the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental
Bills: HCR202
Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Consumer Commerce and Consumer Protection heard HCR 202 HD2, a resolution creating a task force to study Hawaii’s electric generation mix and related costs. Testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office was neutral and stood on written comments, while another testifier supported the resolution, emphasizing affordability, reliability, and the need to understand the right balance of thermal generation and renewables as the state moves toward its 2045 renewable goals. The chairs said they had conferred on the measure and outlined recommended amendments, including adding study of the separation of ownership and control of generation versus transmission and distribution, and adding Senate committee representation to the task force. The Consumer Commerce and Consumer Protection committee voted to pass HCR 202 HD2 with amendments; the chair, vice chair, and another member voted aye, with one senator excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee did not have quorum at that time and said it would take its vote later. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also heard HCR 165, concerning pickleball courts in Hawaii Kai. One resident testified in opposition, citing concerns about permanent lights, permanent nets, noise, light pollution, safety, maintenance, and the loss of multi-use flexibility. After discussion, the chair recommended passing the measure as is, and the committee said it would vote the next day because it lacked quorum. The committee also heard HCR 154 and HCR 43 with the Transportation Committee; HCR 154 was passed unamended, and HCR 43, which urged raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary School for pedestrian safety, was also passed unamended. Supporters of HCR 43 described heavy pedestrian traffic, schoolchildren crossing, and unsafe vehicle turning patterns at the intersections. The Transportation Committee adopted both recommendations, while the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee scheduled its votes for the following day.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Energy Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We lose 83% of the energy when we go from producing it from clean energy to storing it in ammonia, and
  • then using it as energy.
  • of the energy future.
  • Xcel Energy delivers energy to our customers that we acquire in two ways.
  • Xcel Energy.
Bills: HF2103, HF2793
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • it from clean energy to storing it in ammonia and then using it as energy.
  • of the energy future.
  • Xcel Energy delivers energy to our customers that we acquire basically in two ways.
  • Xcel Energy.
  • <01:08:57.159> burden energy while reducing the energy burden energy while reducing the energy
Bills: HF2103, HF2793