Video & Transcript Research : 'thermal coal'

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Jan 29th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • coal.
  • coal companies, and by January 1, 2030, with limited exceptions, must be fully divested from thermal
  • organization that identifies companies involved in the thermal coal value chain, in determining what
  • The global coal exit list identifies 90% of global thermal coal.
  • It reads: The State Investment Board may retain an investment in a thermal coal company if the company
Bills: SB5439, SB6109, SB6304
Summary: The committee first received a work session from the State Investment Board. Staff described the board’s structure, its roughly $230 billion in assets, and its mandate to maximize returns at prudent risk for pension and other public funds. Officials said the board generally invests public equities passively through low-cost index funds, manages a diversified mix of asset classes, and has produced strong long-term returns that help stabilize contribution rates and the state budget. They also outlined the board’s sustainability program, including ESG integration, proxy voting, engagement with companies, climate and DEI blueprints, and a stated view that divestment restrictions can reduce returns and increase costs. Senators asked about deferred compensation, private equity, digital assets, and whether the legislature has altered investment policy in the past. The committee then held a public hearing on SB 5439, which would prohibit new thermal coal investments beginning in 2026 and require full divestment by 2030, with limited exceptions. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with advocates arguing coal is a poor long-term investment, a major climate and health harm, and a small share of the portfolio that can be phased out without major disruption. The hearing also covered SB 6109, which would prohibit investments in private detention facilities and require divestment by 2030; supporters said public funds should not profit from immigrant detention, while staff confirmed the board currently has a small investment in Geo Group. The committee then heard SB 6304, a broader responsible investing bill that would require the board to incorporate ethical principles related to human rights, environmental degradation, corruption, and similar harms, and to adopt proxy voting guidelines and annual reporting. Supporters from labor, faith, civil rights, housing, and Palestinian advocacy groups said the bill would align investments with state values and address harms tied to weapons, detention, surveillance, fossil fuels, and alleged genocide-related investments. Finally, the committee received a briefing on Substitute SB 5945, which would exclude most juvenile convictions from counting as strikes under the state’s persistent offender law, except for first- and second-degree murder and serious sex offenses, and would apply retroactively with resentencing for affected people. Fiscal estimates discussed ranged from about 10 to 48 cases, with costs for public defense, courts, and local prosecution. Public defense officials said the cases would be complex and resource-intensive. Prosecutors and sheriffs opposed the bill, especially retroactive resentencing, citing victim impacts, workload, and public safety concerns, and asked that retroactivity be removed if the bill moves forward.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/10/2026 - Senate Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill establishes the study committee on coal-impacted communities and outlines study committee membership
  • and investigate and analyze the social and economic effects on communities heavily reliant on the coal
  • particularly communities experiencing job losses or economic decline due to the transition away from coal
  • As many of you know, the Salt River Project, Navajo Generating Station, as well as the two coal mines
  • Non-thermal still goes through county zoning.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 20th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next is House Bill 2367 relating to eliminating preferential treatment to a coal-fired electric plant
  • amendment labeled B offered by Senator Banke, which requires Ecology to allocate no-cost allowances to a coal-fired
  • amendment labeled B offered by Senator Banke, which requires ecology to allocate no-cost allowances to a coal-fired
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll just refer to this as the coal facility.
  • at the coal facility if certain conditions are met.
  • purchased or used to generate electricity at the coal facility.
  • We should be proud that Washington State has phased out coal energy in our state.
  • We worked in a bipartisan way in 2011 to chart a path to move away from coal.
Bills: SB6172, SB6246, SB5932
Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee heard public testimony on three bills. SB 6246 would direct Ecology to recommend a long-term allowance allocation approach for emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities under the Climate Commitment Act, require facility-specific emissions and decarbonization reporting, and condition future no-cost allowances on those submissions. Supporters said the bill preserves the CCA’s anti-leakage intent while improving accountability and planning for industrial decarbonization; opponents argued it adds burdens, may threaten competitiveness, and could worsen leakage or job losses. Ecology said it generally supports the bill’s approach but recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources. No vote was taken. SB 5932 would provide certainty for low-to-zero-carbon alternative jet fuel production by changing how electricity carbon intensity is calculated for SAF facilities under the Clean Fuels Program and by setting an earlier trigger date for SAF tax preferences, July 1, 2031, if the production threshold is not met first. The bill’s sponsor and industry witnesses from 12 and the City of Moses Lake said it would support investment in Washington’s first SAF facility and future expansion. Ecology and climate advocates opposed the Clean Fuels Program changes, saying they would weaken incentives for new renewable electricity and could increase pollution or create special treatment for one fuel, though Ecology said it had no position on the 2031 tax date. The committee heard extensive testimony but took no vote. SB 6172 would end remaining statutory preferences for a coal-fired generating plant after its scheduled closure date, including the cap-and-invest exemption, limits on additional state emission standards, and a sales tax exemption for coal used at the plant. The sponsor said the bill simply removes now-unneeded transition provisions and affirms Washington’s move away from coal. Environmental groups strongly supported the bill, while utility and business witnesses were generally neutral but raised concerns about possible allowance-market impacts and potential costs to ratepayers if the plant were ever called on in an emergency. The hearing closed without a vote.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, February 27, 2026

Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • . >> The Japanese are using this to continue their coal-fired power plants.
  • As you know, it's an island and most of their power is provided by coal.
  • So they have been burning ammonia in an 80/20 slurry in their existing coal-fired power plants.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, February 27, 2026

Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> have not lent to oil and gas and coal have not lent to oil and gas and coal companies<00:14:21.120
  • at another coal maybe at Dryfork, maybe at another coal power<00:16:07.279><c> plant</c><00:16:07.519
  • and export, and again Wyoming coal preferably.
  • and and export and again American coal and and export and again Wyoming<00:55:13.760><c> coal</c><00
  • Um but you know Wyoming coal preferably.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:00 am

Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2367 says that the coal emissions that are exempt from the Cap and Invest program are only
  • It removes the limitation agencies have on imposing additional greenhouse gas requirements on a coal
  • facility, and it repeals the coal sales and use tax exemptions.
Summary: The committee hearing covered three bills before moving into executive session later in the day. HB 2343 would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain water discharge permit coverage for publicly operated game farms, or an individual permit if needed, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. Supporters, including Centralia officials, county public health staff, and residents, said the bill is needed because nitrate contamination from the WDFW pheasant farm has affected private wells and public health. WDFW testified that it had already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and said it would continue working with Ecology and local partners. HB 2301 would expand Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, including thinners, removers, additives, aerosols, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the bill builds on a successful recycling program that already diverts large amounts of paint from landfills and could reduce costs for local hazardous waste systems. County and local solid waste officials generally supported the expansion but asked for clearer treatment of packaging, convenience standards, and compensation. Ecology supported the concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for broader standards, reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservers group opposed including wood preservatives in the bill. HB 2515, in proposed substitute form, would regulate “emerging large energy use facilities,” mainly data centers and virtual currency mining facilities at 20 megawatts or more. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to ensure these facilities pay full costs, participate in demand response, and avoid shifting costs to other customers; it would also require reporting on energy and water use, set clean energy targets, create a new annual fee, and limit no-cost cap-and-invest allowances for utilities serving these facilities. Supporters said the bill protects ratepayers, improves transparency, and helps Washington meet climate goals. Opponents from utilities, business groups, ports, and labor warned it could raise costs, reduce competitiveness, create prescriptive rules, and threaten jobs and investment, while some public agencies and environmental groups supported the bill with requests for technical changes. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 4th, 2026

House Appropriations & Finance

Bills: SB101, SB58, SB55
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 101, which would repeal the July 1, 2030 sunset on the Health Care Delivery and Access Act and make the hospital provider-tax program permanent. The sponsor, the Health Care Authority secretary, and the New Mexico Hospital Association said the program has generated substantial federal Medicaid matching funds and has supported hospital workforce, quality, and infrastructure investments, especially in rural areas. Members asked why the sunset existed originally and whether federal changes under H.R. 1 would phase the program down; the secretary explained the sunset was meant as a review point, but that federal law now prevents creating a new similar program if this one expires. The committee heard support from hospital and business representatives, no opposition, and voted due pass 7-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 58, as amended, which extends the property tax abatement period for metropolitan redevelopment areas from a fixed seven years to up to 14 years. The sponsor and Albuquerque redevelopment officials said the change would give local governments more flexibility to structure projects based on financial need, while still preserving current tax payments and encouraging redevelopment of blighted or underused areas. Several supporters, including realtors and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, argued the longer window would improve certainty for developers and help spur housing and other reinvestment. Some members raised concerns about lost revenue for schools and whether the tool could be overused, but were told the program applies only in designated redevelopment areas and is intended to leverage future higher assessments. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 7-0. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 55, which increases New Mexico’s state solar tax credit from 10% to 30% after the federal credit was reduced, and raises the individual cap from $6,000 to $15,000 while keeping the overall annual program cap at $30 million. The sponsor and numerous solar industry, business, and clean-energy advocates said the change is needed to prevent layoffs, stabilize the rooftop solar market, support local jobs, and preserve grid and affordability benefits for customers. Members asked about permitting, certification, consumer protection, and whether battery storage was included; the sponsor said the bill covers rooftop solar only, the credit is refundable, and EMNRD certifies systems before credits are issued. The committee heard broad support, no opposition, and voted due pass 7-0 before adjourning.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Feb 4th, 2026

Finance and Taxation General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • In short summary, this is the Renewing Coal Impacted Communities Act.
  • In short summary, this is the Renewing Coal Impacted Communities Act.
  • It's, uh, the 40%, I believe, the coal's revenue is derived from coal.
  • I mean, my understanding is that North Alabama's got a lot of coal.
  • We just were awarded a federal coal lease for the first time in many years.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Jan 22nd, 2026

Transportation and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • For instance, uh, in West Alabama, we have some uh coal methane wells, for instance. >> Yes, sir.
  • If does this bill apply to them as >> I think on page three it excludes uh coal methane, I believe. >
  • > Okay. >> Uh, because coal is different.
Bills: SB174, SB174
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy Jan 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • This legislation also required an MOU between the governor and such a coal plant.
  • Also, under current law, there are sales and use tax exemptions for coal at a coal plant placed in operation
  • And third, it repeals the coal sales and use tax exemptions. Happy to take any questions.
  • Many people are into labeling coal as clean. It is anything but; I can speak to that.
  • Maintaining special treatment for coal generation is inconsistent with those goals.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several environmental bills. House Bill 2284, aimed at reducing litter, would remove a scheduled increase in plastic bag thickness, preserve penalties on thicker bags, and create a Litter Solutions Task Force. Supporters from business, retail, agriculture, and recycling groups said it takes a data-driven, collaborative approach and avoids higher consumer costs; Ecology said it supports removing the thickness increase but raised budget concerns and suggested adding more task force members. Opponents or cautions focused on implementation costs and the need to align with the state’s upcoming litter study. No vote was taken in the hearing. House Bill 1652 would require certain ocean-going vessels in Washington waters to use fuel with no more than 0.1% sulfur, with Ecology overseeing enforcement and a proposed substitute clarifying vessel coverage and recordkeeping. Supporters, including environmental, public health, port, and tribal voices, said the bill would reduce air pollution and toxic scrubber washwater that harms marine life and communities. Ports, shipping interests, and industry groups opposed or raised concerns, arguing the bill could effectively prohibit scrubbers, burden vessels and ports, and create compliance and economic issues. The hearing also included questions about whether cruise ships were already voluntarily avoiding scrubber discharges in Puget Sound. House Bill 2367 would end remaining coal-related exemptions by limiting cap-and-invest exemptions to pre-2026 emissions, removing limits on additional greenhouse gas regulation for the Centralia coal plant, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. The sponsor and environmental groups said it would align state law with the planned coal phaseout and prevent any return to coal combustion after the plant’s retirement date. Business and petroleum representatives warned that if the plant were pulled into cap-and-invest, the allowance market could be affected and the program might need adjustment. The committee then heard House Bill 2421, which would ban 6PPD and regrettable substitutes in tires by 2035 and impose a 6PPD mitigation fee starting in 2027 to fund monitoring and cleanup. Supporters from salmon, city, tribal, youth, and environmental groups said 6PPD is a major cause of salmon mortality and that the fee would help fund mitigation; tire manufacturers, retailers, trucking, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing there is no proven alternative yet, the fee would raise costs, and the timeline could create safety and liability concerns. No votes were taken in the transcript provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um thermal energy networks are builds.
  • thermal energy utilities to provide thermal energy service<00:53:00.640><c> to</c><00:53:00.880><c>
  • :23.599><c> energy</c> Minnesota's leadership on thermal energy Minnesota's leadership on thermal energy
  • </c> renewable natural gas, and thermal renewable natural gas, and thermal energy<00:54:47.200><c> networks
  • energy networks by allowing utilities to provide thermal energy service to their ratepayers.
Bills: HF4236, HF4122, HF4377
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Feb 3rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Environment, Energy & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 6172 relates to eliminating preferential treatment to a coal-fired electric generating plant
  • to a memorandum of agreement occurring before January 1, 2026, rather than all emissions from the coal
  • at a coal facility.
  • to a memorandum of agreement occurring before January 1, 2026, rather than all emissions from the coal
  • at a coal facility.
Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee took executive action on 11 bills, with staff briefing each measure and members considering multiple proposed substitutes and amendments. The committee advanced bills on an Appliance Affordability Index study (SB 624), emerging large energy use facilities/data centers (SB 6171), AI systems (SB 6284), cultural resource protection under SEPA (SB 5609), coal plant treatment under cap-and-invest and tax law (SB 6172), emissions-intensive trade-exposed facilities (SB 6246), low-to-zero-carbon alternative jet fuel production (SB 5932), motor fuel definitions (SB 6269), community-scaled weatherization projects (SB 6223), lead in cookware (SB 5975), and electric transmission system modernization (SB 5466). Several bills were described as technical or policy updates tied to climate, energy reliability, consumer protection, and land-use review. Members debated a number of substantive changes. On SB 6171, the committee rejected an amendment to remove the proposed fee on data centers and instead advanced a substitute that retained tariff, reporting, and utility-related provisions; testimony emphasized both competitiveness for data centers and ratepayer protection. On SB 6284, the committee advanced a substitute that refined definitions, added human-consideration language, extended risk-management duties to developers with exemptions for smaller entities and certain sectors, and clarified enforcement. On SB 5609, an amendment to delay or restructure cultural-resource requirements was not adopted, and the committee moved forward a substitute requiring local ordinances and a governor-led task force; supporters stressed protecting irreplaceable cultural resources, while opponents raised housing and implementation concerns. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 6172 related to emergency DOE orders for a coal facility, then advanced the bill; it moved SB 6246 forward without amendment; and it adopted a substitute for SB 5932 intended to preserve tax incentive certainty for alternative jet fuel producers over a 10-year period. For SB 5975, the committee rejected one substitute and adopted another that tightened lead restrictions in cookware and shifted future regulation to the Safer Products Program. On SB 5466, the committee rejected several amendments on wildfire risk, corridor planning, landowner consultation, eminent domain, and liability, then advanced the proposed second substitute to Ways and Means. Most bills were reported out of committee with due pass recommendations, several to Ways and Means and others to Rules, and the meeting adjourned after all executive actions were completed.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Feb 3rd, 2026 at 08:00 am

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Also, under current law, there are sales and use tax exemptions for coal at a coal plant placed into
  • And third, it repeals the coal sales and use tax exemptions.
  • I know from growing up in the shadow of a coal plant that coal is not ...bill.
  • I know from growing up in the shadow of a coal plant that coal is not cheap, nor is it clean.
  • and use tax for coal burned at the plant.
Summary: House Finance heard public testimony on several bills. HB 2367 would end certain exemptions for the Centralia coal plant by limiting its Climate Commitment Act exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing restrictions on additional greenhouse gas requirements, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. Staff and the sponsor said the bill would help keep the plant’s transition away from coal on track; business and utility-related witnesses asked for amendments to preserve allowance market stability, while climate advocates strongly supported the bill. The hearing was closed without a vote. HB 1974 would authorize public housing authorities, public corporations, and nonprofits to operate as land banks for affordable housing, give counties priority to land banks for tax-foreclosed property, and create property tax, leasehold excise tax, and REET exemptions tied to land bank activity, with a JLARC review required. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help move underused and public land into affordable housing production, including starter homes and mixed-income projects. One question focused on whether public land should remain in public ownership longer-term; the sponsor said land banks and land trusts can work together, but financing can be difficult with very long covenants. The hearing was closed. HB 2650, an agency-request bill from the Department of Revenue, would standardize notice and effective-date rules for local REET and lodging tax changes and clarify documentation for affordable housing sales and use tax deferrals. DOR said the changes would improve administration with minimal fiscal impact, and the bill’s sponsor described it as a simple alignment measure. The only public testimony was from DOR in support, and the hearing was closed. HB 2626 would raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations, health care service contractors, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements from 2% to 3%, remove a dentistry-related exemption, and create a new 1% tax on certain disability and group stop-loss insurers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help backfill expected health care funding gaps and support Apple Health and subsidies, and asked about a possible amendment to prevent pass-through to consumers. Insurers, business groups, and dental plans opposed the bill, warning it would raise premiums, reduce affordability, and potentially affect employer coverage decisions; patient and advocacy witnesses supported the revenue concept but urged that proceeds be directed to health care subsidies and protections against pass-through. No vote was taken, and the committee also announced amendment deadlines and a 4 p.m. meeting the next day.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill establishes the study committee on coal-impacted communities.
  • of the state of Arizona benefited for generations, I guess, from very inexpensive energy from that coal
  • Bless on my coal. Senator Barnford. Aye. Bless on my cold. Eight ayes, one no, one not voting.
  • of the state of Arizona benefited for generations, I guess, from very inexpensive energy from that coal
  • Bless on my coal. Senator Barnford. Aye. Bless on my cold. Eight aye, one no, one not voting.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Feb 6th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2367 removes the tax preferences related to the coal-fired electric generating plants.
  • There's no coal that's being brought into this facility right now, so there's no tax exemption that's
  • There's no coal that's being brought into this facility right now, so there's no tax exemption that's
Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several bills. HB 2451, a substitute bill on local tax increment financing, would add conditions on where increment areas can be designated, require more detailed project analyses and earlier notice/consultation with affected taxing districts, expand dispute resolution steps, and exempt preexisting TIF areas from some changes; cities, ports, and fire/public safety stakeholders testified in support, saying the bill reflects a negotiated compromise and improves protections for impacted districts. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel incentive program from a production-capacity trigger to a date-certain start, add carbon-intensity scoring for fuels outside the Clean Fuels Program, and extend the credits through 2046; supporters said it gives certainty and helps develop sustainable aviation fuel, while an opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fuel burning and urged reducing flights instead. HB 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, move and revise the statutory definition of LECs, and let cooperatives set certain resale and return terms in their governing documents; supporters said it removes mismatched legal barriers to affordable homeownership, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive eligibility rules and asked about fair housing limits. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for certain new data centers in a specific eastern Washington county, conditioned on labor standards, job creation, and sustainability certifications; labor and economic development supporters said it would bring jobs and support related clean-energy projects, while opponents criticized the subsidy and the project labor/community workforce agreement requirements. The committee then took executive action and reported out HB 1983, HB 1974 as amended, HB 2334 as amended, HB 2367, and HB 2650, all with do-pass recommendations; HB 2367’s amendment to remove the emergency clause failed, and the committee adjourned after passing HB 2650 unanimously.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Committee, February 13, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • coal producers, marketers, railroads.
  • ><c> all</c><00:54:23.760><c> of</c><00:54:23.920><c> America's</c><00:54:24.400><c> coal</c> group of
  • all of America's coal group of all of America's coal producers,<00:54:25.520><c> uh</c><00:54:25.760
  • , nuclear and um this bill know gas, coal, nuclear and um this bill is<00:54:51.520><c> something</c>
  • This is an opportunity to really give our core industries—our coal, our oil and gas, our uranium, our