Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to maybe name this concept microgrid.
• Those are the only microgrids that have been announced, and may in fact be the only real microgrids in
• microgrids from buying power from a utility.
• You also mentioned microgrids that were doing it right.
• You also mentioned microgrids that were doing it right.

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

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

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

Bills: SF1832, HF2440, HF2442

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• We created this concept called the microgrid for small entities; it's the name, microgrid.
• We created this concept called the microgrid for small entities; it's the name, microgrid.
• As microgrids are becoming more common across New Mexico, this bill ensures that as microgrids grow,
• Across New Mexico, microgrids have become a critical economic development tool.
• That's why it's called a microgrid.

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Microgrids, as I said, they're coming.
• really what I support microgrids.
• That's where the microgrid concept, a true microgrid, and as they're known in other states, has that
• That is really the rationale behind a microgrid.
• That's why the microgrids exist. How many, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Microgrids, like community-based microgrids, focus on hospitals, police stations, fire stations, kind
• There's another framework for microgrids, which is what I call utility-driven microgrids.
• And they say, we would like a microgrid here.
• There's another framework for microgrids, which is what I call utility-driven microgrids.
• My area is microgrids.

Summary: The Select Committee on Climate Innovation and Infrastructure held a hearing focused on emerging technologies for climate resilience and infrastructure. The first panel discussed the Calistoga Resiliency Center, a utility-driven microgrid that keeps the city powered during public safety power shutoffs using hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and liquid hydrogen storage. PG&E described microgrids as a resilience tool but emphasized that cost remains the main barrier to wider deployment. Energy Vault explained the project’s design, its ability to provide at least 48 hours of backup power on a small parcel of land, and its use of green hydrogen and battery storage to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. A Calistoga councilmember and NCPA representative also discussed the Lodi Energy Center hydrogen project, saying it could help decarbonize power generation and transportation, but that federal and state funding changes, tax credit timing, and other policy shifts have made the project difficult to advance. The Green Hydrogen Coalition supported the Calistoga model as a blueprint and urged policy changes to create demand and reduce barriers for renewable hydrogen, including addressing behind-the-meter rules and recognizing hydrogen in state energy planning. The second panel focused on water resilience and desalination, with the California Desal Association and Oneka Technologies discussing wave-powered desalination for the City of Fort Bragg. Cal Desal said California’s changing hydrology, reduced snowpack, and drought conditions make local water supply options increasingly important, but noted that conventional desalination is expensive and slow to permit. Oneka described its offshore, wave-powered system as a zero-electricity desalination technology that produces drinking water without greenhouse gas emissions and with limited land use, and said the Fort Bragg pilot is intended to demonstrate the technology under California conditions. The company and Cal Desal both stressed that permitting is a major obstacle, with the project requiring multiple agencies and a timeline far longer than in other jurisdictions. They also said the technology’s autonomous operation could improve water resilience because it does not depend on the electrical grid. The final panel featured the Climate Foundation’s marine permaculture proposal, which aims to restore kelp forests and support carbon removal and coastal food systems. The presenter said warming oceans and nutrient loss have devastated kelp forests along the California coast and argued that offshore platforms that raise and lower seaweed to access nutrients and sunlight could help regenerate ecosystems while producing food, feed, fertilizer, and carbon benefits. He said the technology has shown strong growth rates and storm resilience in other regions, but that California permitting remains a major hurdle, involving 17 state and federal agencies. He proposed a streamlined, code-based permitting approach for smaller projects and said the group is seeking matching funds to complete a first California pilot. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly highlighted the tension between innovation and the high cost, complexity, and length of California’s permitting and funding processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you have retail competition in the microgrid? Who is responsible for running the microgrid?
• Is a gigawatt still considered a microgrid?
• So let me ask you, like, when you referenced microgrids, we, you know, isolated microgrids, right?
• microgrid that we've been discussing today.
• We not only need to focus on microgrids, but before we can get to microgrids and distributed energy,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Microgrids are there's lots of variety with what a microgrid is, and there's not a clear definition.
• microgrid.
• So, I really appreciate the insight on microgrids.
• If AI gets better, microgrid controls get better.
• microgrids.

Transcript Highlights:

• and committed $200 million through the CPUC's microgrid incentive program.
• for local microgrid projects.
• That was intended to facilitate the development and deployment of microgrids.
• So, the concern with this bill is not about expanding microgrids.
• Just from a high level, SDG&E has a long history with microgrids.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other part here is the relationship, as we see in the microgrid study, of microgrids, transmission
• We're looking at it specifically within the microgrid context.
• And then finally, um, >> ...in a microgrid, which could, you know, limit opportunities for microgrid
• So perhaps that's better left for the microgrid group.
• So perhaps that's better left for the microgrid group.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A microgrid, it's a small, I don't know. Thank you for the explanation, Madam Chair.
• Chair, what is the PRC's role with regard to microgrids?
• And then all of that is within the utilities for the microgrids.
• The utility does, but not necessarily the microgrid.
• And do you think it makes sense for the PRC to have more responsibility over the microgrids?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not a study, that this would be an actual installation of a microgrid?
• So who would pay for the installation of the microgrid? The developer.
• So you need state authorization in order for the developer to make a microgrid? Yeah.
• So when you do a microgrid, there are all types of technologies that are used, including battery storage
• A microgrid would help create reliability and their own source of energy in those areas.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered a lengthy agenda of energy- and utility-related bills. The committee discussed measures on utility outage penalties for combination utilities, a NYSERDA-backed electric landscaping rebate program, stronger utility storm response compliance, a study on utility reporting of late payments to credit agencies, a used zero-emission vehicle rebate program, alternative fuels along the New York State Thruway, a property tax exemption for energy-related utility real property, a NYSERDA pilot microgrid at Glenwood Houses, a prohibition on PSC approval of certain utility rate increases, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, a usage monitoring program, and a bill on denial of increased utility rates and charges. Several bills prompted questions about who would pay for the programs or penalties, with sponsors and staff repeatedly stating that fines would be paid by utilities and that many programs would be funded through NYSERDA or existing appropriations, though members raised concerns about whether ratepayer funds or system benefits charges could be used. The electric landscaping rebate bill drew extended debate over whether its equipment definitions could allow companies to use battery equipment charged by generators, while the microgrid pilot and used EV rebate bills were defended as investments to improve reliability, lower peak costs, and build a secondary EV market. Senator May spoke in support of the Glenwood Houses microgrid and the related investment rationale. Most bills were advanced after motions and votes, often with some no votes or without-recommendation votes. The committee reported several measures to third reading, including the utility outage penalties bill, the utility storm response bill, the utility rate increase restriction bill, the usage monitoring program, and the denial of increased utility rates and charges bill. Other bills were advanced to the Finance Committee, Budget and Revenue Committee, or Local Government Committee, including the electric landscaping rebate program, the used EV rebate program, the alternative fuels bill, the tax exemption bill, the Glenwood Houses microgrid pilot, and the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• I provided an update on our microgrids in the September meeting in Taos, and since then we have received
• To give a high-level overview of what the microgrids are designed to do: first, they are primarily for
• So given all that, we made applications in early October of 2023 for three microgrids.
• To how we operate and maintain these microgrids. And so those are the reasons we did that.
• for resilience in military use and also to use microgrids for catastrophic events.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a program that would create a microgrid.
• And these microgrids would have to prioritize emergency services.
• Why prioritize electric vehicle charging stations to be powered through a microgrid rather than other
• And what a microgrid does is that it ensures, it's kind of almost a closed system that allows, even if
• there's a larger outage, for that microgrid to still be functioning off of whatever is powering it.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thomas' work on microgrid in general.
• Thomas' work on microgrid in general.
• Thomas' work on microgrid in general.
• Thomas' work on microgrid in general.
• Thomas' work on microgrid in general.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to water' to the definition of 'inordinate burden,' which will have the effect of ensuring new microgrids
• to water' to the definition of 'inordinate burden,' which will have the effect of ensuring new microgrids
• to water' to the definition of 'inordinate burden,' which will have the effect of ensuring new microgrids
• I urge adoption of the amendments. ...of new microgrid districts and high-impact data centers.
• Chairman. ...of ensuring new microgrids and data centers are mindful of and include in their applications

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I know that under previous legislation we have established some study of microgrids, but I thought
• Here's a definition of a microgrid and a capacity for a customer generator to send power across their
• They would have some rights, therefore, to create a microgrid and to construct across property or town
• Any increase in costs to the electric transmission-distribution system of the state, the microgrid must
• We do have a concern that the bill is constructed allowing third parties to construct these microgrids

Keywords: 1191, senate, all