Video & Transcript Research : 'geological subsurface characterization'

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LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources May 27th, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Coates, urging and requesting the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological
  • Survey to study and develop recommendations for the collection, retention, and access to the state's subsurface
  • Energy Studies, which I'm on the advisory council of, and it's just looking into the core surveys and geologic
  • worked with LSU Energy Studies, and this was more about just a comprehensive modernization of the geologic
Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on March 27 with a quorum present, approved prior minutes, and then took up several resolutions and one bill related to wildlife, water resources, and conservation. H.C.R. 79, as amended, urged the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work together to allow the use of dogs for hunting in Kisatchie National Forest; supporters described it as a traditional hunting practice that has been restricted for years and could benefit local hunters and businesses. H.C.R. 104, as amended, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and modernize the collection, retention, and access to subsurface data, with members emphasizing the need to avoid sharing company-specific information. H.C.R. 87 was reported favorably to support correspondence from U.S. Sen. Kennedy regarding duck flyway management, H.C.R. 54 was reported favorably to study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl and restore an enforcement mechanism related to hunting over intentionally flooded crops, and H.C.R. 94 was reported favorably to require annual boating safety reports to legislative committees. The committee then heard HB 1209, which would have paused new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals while allowing existing agreements to continue and be renewed through December 31, 2036. The author said the bill was intended to give the state time to develop a more comprehensive, data-driven surface water strategy and to address invasive species such as giant salvinia, which he said has severely affected waterways in his district. Members and witnesses acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, but there was concern that the bill was too complex to move quickly in the session. The committee discussed converting it into a study resolution instead, and the bill was deferred without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Conservation Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's so important in New Mexico and everywhere to have a waste characterization study so we know what's
  • Many other benefits to knowing the waste characterization of our state could come with making better
  • It looks like from the information available here, the characterization of these streams is already fairly
  • Madam Chair, members of the committee, Senator, the importance of this waste characterization study,
  • And one of the recommendations was to have a waste characterization study done because it gives important
Bills: SB38, SB46, SB18
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources May 27th, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Coates, urging and requesting the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological
  • Survey to study and develop recommendations for the collection, retention, and access to the state's subsurface
  • Energy Studies, which I'm on the advisory council of, and it's just looking into the core surveys and geologic
  • worked with LSU Energy Studies, and this was more about just a comprehensive modernization of the geologic
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025

Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • mapping and geologic hazards.
  • You can see how disrupted the subsurface is.
  • Basically, the goal here is to complete aquifer characterization.
  • to do is drilling wells to better characterize what's going on in the subsurface.
  • So in order for us to really characterize the subsurface, that's a really important data feature that
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Geological Survey has only detected about 50.
  • Geological Survey has only detected about 50.
  • Geological Survey is a typical situation.
  • So the US geological is a typical situation.
  • characterization.
Keywords: 965, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 22nd, 2026 at 09:30 am

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so... ...that's not going to be the long-term geological repository.
  • You're still going to have a need for some geological repository-type things.
  • And that leads into this automated characterization as part of that.
  • And that leads into this automated characterization as part of that.
  • , and geologic hydrogen being some key areas.
Keywords: 908, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Mar 1st, 2025

House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • With plentiful geologic formations here in New Mexico, complemented by our extensive research efforts
  • This setup allows an injection tubular to carry the CO2 into the subsurface.
  • The rocks we're talking about in the subsurface, if you had them in your hand, would look more like a
  • This, you're injecting this into a subsurface formation in the bill discussed.
  • House Bill 458 creates the Geologic Carbon Dioxide Stewardship Fund.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:48:43.280> carbon to a program to characterize carbon to a program to characterize carbon
  • > yeah<00:51:30.240> for drilling subsurface exploration yeah for drilling subsurface exploration
  • I think it's important to distinguish between resource characterization and geothermal development.
  • I think it's important to distinguish between resource characterization and geothermal development.
  • I think it's important to distinguish between resource characterization and geothermal development.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to waste, recycling, and environmental review. On HB 1924, which would establish a mattress stewardship program, the Department of Health said it stood on written testimony and offered comments, while Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and one individual supported the bill and the International Sleep Products Association opposed it. No questions were raised and the committee moved on. A large portion of the hearing focused on HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale of disposable vapes in Hawaii. The Department of Health supported the measure but suggested the bill may be better placed in a different part of state law because the cited waste-management section regulates products after consumption, while still praising the effort to remove disposable vapes from the market and environment. Testimony in strong support came from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii Youth Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, the City and County of Honolulu, and many individuals; supporters emphasized youth vaping, toxic waste, lithium battery fire risks, and environmental harm. There was at least one opposing individual and the International Sleep Products Association was listed in opposition. The committee noted there were many written testimonies and no immediate vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 1928 on the deposit beverage container recycling program. The Department of Health stood on written testimony. The Solid Waste Task Force of Hawaii Environmental Change Agents and Upstream supported the bill but urged amendments to better integrate reuse and reusables, strengthen enforcement, clarify definitions, and protect existing redemption centers. The Hawaii Food Industry Association supported the concept of a backdrop program but preferred strengthening the existing program and raised concerns about undefined fees, existing infrastructure, and future audit costs. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii supported the bill, and the chair said the measure needs work and that decision-making would occur in a few days. Finally, the committee took up HB 979 on environmental review and HB 1650 on environmental assessments. For HB 979, OPSD offered amendments, HCDA supported the bill but suggested clarifying the affordable-housing definition, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative supported it, and Earthjustice was asked about the court process for environmental challenges; the chair asked about shortening the challenge period and the relationship between environmental court, the intermediate court of appeals, and the Supreme Court. For HB 1650, OPSD and the State Historic Preservation Division stood on written testimony, OHA asked to retain historic sites, and several groups and individuals testified in support or opposition. Opponents argued that removing Wiki special district and historic sites from Chapter 343 trigger language would weaken environmental review and risk impacts to iwi kūpuna and historic resources.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • it securely underground in geologic it securely underground in geologic formations.<00:16:14.800
  • First, CO2 has been transported, utilized, and injected in the subsurface in the United States, dating
  • First, CO2 has been transported, utilized, and injected in the subsurface in the United States, dating
  • EPA specifically to regulate the injection of CO2 into the subsurface.
  • Geological<00:32:32.399> CO2<00:32:32.960> sequestration,<00:32:33.919> by Geological
Bills: HB61, HB176, SB12
Keywords: 1136, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Water and Natural Resources Nov 17th, 2025

Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The New Mexico Bureau of Geology is your State Geologic Survey serving New Mexico in a non-regulatory
  • role to provide science around our earth resources, including... water, geologic mapping and hazards
  • There have been years of work that have asked us, the Bureau of Geology, to begin to characterize all
  • Then we can use our geological team to interpolate between the lines and fill in the blanks.
  • It gives you a sense of the structure of the subsurface. You can see where faults are, how...
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • As an organization deeply rooted in subsurface characterization and energy production, this is certainly
  • of enhanced geothermal and additional hydrothermal characterization.
  • Subsurface data, 40 years of UND research. No one else has this...
  • subsurface environments in the country.
  • The subsurface is characterized from decades of production data.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/10/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • work to amend the Antiquities Act of 1906 and to compensate states for the value of state trust subsurface
  • And I'm a big fan of copper, our subsurface minerals, as well as nuclear power and all the things that
  • To me, 21% of our copper or all subsurface minerals, what other minerals do we have that we could explore
  • Some of these were land conservation land grabs, is how I would characterize it, where some of this we
  • It has to do with conflicts between subsurface rights, surface rights, and the BLM, for example, where
Summary: The committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water heard and advanced several bills and memorials focused on water policy, mining, environmental regulation, and professional licensing. HB 2260, a veterinary board measure, HB 2986, an ADEQ cleanup/omnibus bill, and HB 2827, which extends Pinal AMA groundwater fee authority and related fund deadlines, all received due pass recommendations on unanimous 10-0 votes. HB 2078, clarifying that public notice for new aggregate mine reclamation plans applies only to new plans and can be satisfied by certain local notices, also passed 9-1 after testimony from the sponsor and mining industry representatives. HCM 2009, urging Congress to amend the Antiquities Act, address split estate mineral rights, and streamline mining permits, passed 5-4 along party lines and drew support from mining interests and opposition from members concerned about federal land protection and monuments. HCR 2038, supporting a seven-state Colorado River agreement, passed 9-1 with testimony emphasizing the importance of a negotiated river settlement to Arizona’s economy, food supply, and national security. The committee then took up a series of water-management bills that generated more extensive debate. HB 2026, which narrows how ADWR evaluates water availability by focusing on proposed dedicated supplies even if commingled in delivery systems, passed 6-4 despite concerns that it echoed previously vetoed language and could weaken water security. HB 2027, as amended, would limit application of Pinal AMA-style rules in the Phoenix AMA and alter physical-availability review for applicants enrolled in the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District; it passed 6-4 after strong opposition from CAP, municipal water users, and ADWR, who warned it could undermine assured water supply designations and CAGRD obligations, while home builders argued it was a fairness issue for development. HB 2028, removing ADWR’s exemption from appealable administrative-completeness determinations, passed 6-4 over agency concerns that it would turn deficiency letters into formal appeals and add workload, while supporters said it would give applicants the same legal rights as other regulated parties. The committee also approved HB 2031, an emergency measure setting a deadline for filing grandfathered groundwater rights in the Wilcox AMA, on a 5-4 vote, and HB 2094, which would require ADWR to re-review certain assured water supply determinations and retroactively validate some applications using specified models, also on a 5-4 vote; both were described as similar to previously vetoed measures. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 2095, which would expand the factors ADWR considers in determining groundwater depth and physical availability for assured water supply applications, with an amendment being explained but no final action captured in the excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Sep 2nd, 2025

Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll focus on the characterization and treatment, ultimately the disposal of those.
  • This acted by reducing the mass of fuel in the subsurface, which has a benefit of reducing the amount
  • Of hurdles to try and get into characterization.
  • Is that an accurate characterization of your testimony, Mr. Chair? Mr. Chair?
  • that as we move forward, and currently have that characterized.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so... ...that's not going to be the long-term geological repository.
  • You're still going to have a need for some geological repository type things.
  • And that leads into this automated characterization as part of that.
  • Early to middle phase is really where I characterize a lot of this.
  • Early to middle phase is really where I characterize a lot of this.
Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • From permitting to engineering, to safe geological storage, and the use of carbon, Kevin's expertise.
  • Protections offered by the Class VI rules, such as promoting the development of geologic CO2 storage
  • storage deployment by expanding the capacity of states to permit geologic storage.
  • The ability to engage with their state geologic surveys and understanding the history.
  • You have deep subsurface geologic formations that meet some criteria for water quality, but there are
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House Appropriations

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • State General Fund in fiscal year 2027 to the University of Arizona for distribution to the Arizona Geological
  • It directs the Arizona Geological Survey to investigate the state and create a map that private industry
  • The Arizona Geological Survey sits under the University of Arizona.
  • appropriation attached to it, this is the type of work that is within the bounds of the Arizona Geological
  • appropriation attached to it, this is the type of work that is within the bounds of the Arizona Geological
Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with member and staff introductions and a reminder about amendment deadlines. HB 2056 would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites; the sponsor said Arizona should explore potential water supplies amid Colorado River concerns. A witness opposed the bill, and members debated whether brackish groundwater should be treated as a resource or a threat to aquifers. The committee approved HB 2056 on an 11-6 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then considered HB 2798, as amended, which would provide $100,000 to the University of Arizona/Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials related to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. The sponsor framed the bill as an economic development and national security effort, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has enough of the material to justify public spending. The University of Arizona supported the work as within the Geological Survey’s mission. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 11-5, with one member present and one not voting. HB 2303 would codify investment rules for the State Treasurer, requiring safety and principal preservation ahead of return and prohibiting speculative investments and insider-benefit conduct. The Treasurer’s Office said the bill reflects current policy and ethics rules already in place, and members asked about how “speculative” would be defined and whether the bill would affect other investment-related statutes. The committee passed the bill 15-0, with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344 would require the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool and allow a third-party backup only in emergencies; the Treasurer’s Office argued this preserves a low-cost, high-liquidity service for local governments, while some members questioned whether it limited future Treasurers’ discretion. The committee passed HB 2344 12-2, with three present and one not voting. Later, the committee heard HB 2759, which would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veteran programs. A retired Navy SEAL and campus veterans coordinator described emergency housing, equipment, and professional-development needs for student veterans at Embry-Riddle, while several members supported the effort and others objected to using state funds for a private institution or a county-specific program. The bill passed 11-6, with one not voting. The committee also passed HB 2207, appropriating $300,000 for the prison Braille transcription program, after testimony that the program trains inmates in a skilled trade and has had no recidivism among released participants; it passed 17-0, with one not voting. Finally, HB 2224, as amended to reduce the appropriation from $2 million to $1 million, would fund the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP. Supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies and can improve health outcomes, while members discussed budget constraints; the committee approved the amended bill after testimony from program advocates and farmers.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <03:26:37.080> acres exchange of 231,000 subsurface acres exchange of 231,000 subsurface acres
  • Corporation holds subsurface ownership. Corporation holds subsurface ownership.
  • <03:29:04.120> rights lands along with the subsurface rights lands along with the subsurface
  • <03:29:58.160> rights exchange their current subsurface rights exchange their current subsurface
  • Chugach owned the subsurface, and Chugach owned the subsurface, and neither<03:31:32.400> side
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment May 19th, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We need to know exactly what's going to happen given geological time.
  • Because one of the criteria here that they're to look at for an application is geological.
  • Because really my concern is the subsurface, and what happens in the subsurface.”
  • “Well, there’s no air under the subsurface, so.” “No, no, no.
  • I’m worried about what happens in the subsurface.
Keywords: 965, house, all