Video & Transcript Research : 'wind power'

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TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • or backup power to meet that requirement.
  • Yeah, well, so what has continued to, well, while... ...are intermittent power sources, like wind and
  • measure to protect Texas. coastal communities, environment, and economy, and prohibiting offshore wind-powered
  • We have a lot of wind in the Gulf.
  • Access to additional power and the environmental benefits of offshore wind, right, is an absolute?
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 15th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • or backup power to meet that requirement.
  • Well, what has continued to happen is that our intermittent power sources like wind and solar, because
  • Yeah, well, so what has continued to, while our intermittent power sources like wind and solar, because
  • We have a lot of wind in the Gulf.
  • wind?
Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • But it's beyond the federal court's powers.
  • They are exerting policy-making power over the whole country.
  • Only if they exercise their judicial power.
  • These are questions, these are core Article 2 powers.
  • Nationwide injunctions are... or an abuse of power.
Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 5th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • who informed me that local counties are actually raising the assessed value of homes that undertake wind
  • This bill makes clear that they may not increase the assessment of a property based on wind mitigation
  • It's about preserving unchecked power.
  • The governor has been invested with the power of that. It’s 252—I think it’s 35 and 36.
  • It clearly defines the executive powers of the governor, the powers of the Florida Division of Emergency
Bills: S7040, S0110, S0434, S0856
Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations. The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government. Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Finance and Tax Jan 28th, 2026

Finance and Tax

Transcript Highlights:
  • increase in just value attributable to improvements made to increase the property's resistance to wind
  • Changes or improvements made to increase the property's resistance to wind damage include, but are not
  • increase in just value attributable to improvements made to increase the property's resistance to wind
  • Changes or improvements made to increase the property's resistance to wind damage include that are not
  • limited to improving the strength, To increase the property's resistance to wind damage include, but
Bills: S0110, S0434, S0856
Summary: The committee heard and passed three bills before moving to a staff presentation on the state revenue forecast and the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. SB 856, by Senator DeSantis? [sic], would require online real estate listing platforms to display estimated property taxes for residential properties using prescribed methods and DOR-developed formulas rather than the current owner’s tax bill. Supporters from county, city, and property appraiser groups said the bill would improve transparency and help homebuyers avoid surprise tax and escrow increases. The bill was reported favorably after debate about making sure the estimate appears on realtor and platform sites for first-time buyers. SB 110, by Senator Arrington, was amended and then reported favorably. The bill clarifies that people holding 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead tax exemption even if the lease ends upon the tenant’s death, aligning those leaseholds with life estates for estate-planning purposes. The amendment, supported by the Florida Bar’s real property, probate and trust law section, clarified that lease provisions terminating at death are valid under current law. SB 434, by Senator Leak, was also reported favorably; it would prevent property tax assessments from reflecting increased just value attributable to wind-hardening improvements such as stronger roof attachments, shutters, and roof-to-wall reinforcements. The committee then received an update from staff director Azar Khan on the new general revenue forecast. He said collections had been running slightly above estimate overall, but the Revenue Estimating Conference reduced corporate income tax projections because of weaker recent collections and uncertainty around tariffs, while increasing some other revenue sources. Members then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which staff said would significantly reduce Florida corporate income tax revenue, with a large first-year impact driven by retroactive provisions such as bonus depreciation, research expensing, and business interest deductions. Senators and the appropriations chair said the forecast and federal changes would affect budget planning, and the committee adjourned after noting the bills had been favorably reported and the meeting was complete.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 24th, 2026

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then it has a few things about bonding power, and also we decrease the amount that they could raise
  • /c> And then it has a few things about And then it has a few things about bonding<00:32:13.120> power
  • c> also<00:32:14.480> we<00:32:14.799> decrease<00:32:15.120> the bonding power
  • and also we decrease the bonding power and also we decrease the amount<00:32:15.600> that<00:
Bills: SB298, SB91
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, this is, uh, Representative Lambert's bill regarding recycling wind and solar power facilities
  • this proposed legislation is because it will hinder our mission of providing affordable, reliable power
  • Protection include prohibits government officials from wielding their power to selectively to punish
  • mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing or stereotypical allegations about Jews, such as, such as or the power
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hurricane Beryl knocked power out for about three and a half days.
  • Those powers remain firmly within the jurisdiction.
  • As was just stated by Chairman Darby, Texas has decommissioning laws for solar and wind power but not
  • Reliable backup power is more important to homeowners, especially during extreme weather and power outages
  • to keep their lights on during power outages.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Power. Power.
  • Power to Wheeling Power owed by Kentucky Power to Wheeling Power in<00:07:42.880> the<00:07:42.960
  • Uh, Kentucky Power and Wheeling Power, of which Kentucky Power has no ownership of Wheeling Power, each
  • So it's wind, solar, sources of power.
  • power customers. power customers.
Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • in state law by allowing a fuel tax credit or refund for diesel that is used to operate auxiliary power
  • units. known as APUs, or Powered Takeoff Units, or PTOs, just as the law already allows.
Bills: SB771, SB2345, HB135, HB135
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • load power.
  • load power.
  • clean base load power, we aren't future, clean base load power, we aren't going<01:26:51.440> to
  • I'm concerned about industrial base load power.
  • I'm concerned about industrial base load power.
Bills: HF3556
Summary: The committee approved the February 26, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3556, which would rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The bill’s author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, noting its importance to Minnesota’s solar industry and the broader clean energy transition. The author moved HF 3556 to the general register, and the committee proceeded to testimony. Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar advocates all supported the bill. They credited Hortman with authoring and advancing the 2013 legislation that created Minnesota’s community solar program and said it became a national model that expanded access to solar for renters, lower-income households, and others who could not install rooftop systems. Several witnesses highlighted the program’s growth, including more than 1 gigawatt of approved projects, strong participation by low- and moderate-income subscribers, and job creation and private investment in Minnesota. Witnesses also emphasized Hortman’s personal leadership style, describing her as prepared, persuasive, collaborative, and deeply committed to clean energy and public service. Some recounted personal interactions with her and said the name change would preserve her legacy and ensure future Minnesotans remember her impact. No vote on the bill itself was taken during the testimony shown, beyond the motion to send HF 3556 to the general register.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • the House united and working on on a set of rules that while it has hurt Democrats and reduced our power
  • the House united and working on on a set of rules that while it has hurt Democrats and reduced our power
  • is the House united and working on a set of rules that, while it has hurt Democrats and reduced our power
  • Democrats that stood strong and have a lot to bring home today because of now the positions and the powers
Summary: The meeting primarily centered around the discussion of newly approved House rules, which sparked significant debate among members. Notably, the Democratic representatives expressed concerns regarding the ban on Democrat chairs, which they argued undermines their power within the legislative body. Chair Ramon Romero and Representative Ann Johnson articulated the sentiment that, despite these challenges, the Democrats are committed to advocating for the needs of all Texans. They emphasized the need for honest discussions around critical issues such as public education, women's health care, and maternal mortality rates.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have China with $1.4 billion getting 20% of their power from wind and solar, Germany with 85 million
  • We have China with $1.4 billion getting 20% of their power from wind and solar, Germany with 85 million
  • I'm Russell Smolden with Arizona Municipal Power Users, which is the not-for-profit public power entities
  • But if you replace that power plant with solar fields or wind turbines, how many jobs are those?
  • What happens—my concern on more wind—what happens to these wind units when they retire?
Summary: The committee heard several energy and transportation bills, with testimony largely split between sponsors, industry groups, local governments, and environmental advocates. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, drew neutral support from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; it was amended and passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may petition on gasoline supplier alternative standards, also passed, 5-4, with no amendment. A lengthy debate followed on HB 2331, as amended, which would require electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to preserve affordable, dependable power and prevent overreliance on intermittent renewables, while opponents from the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner energy options. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and the sponsor’s amendment, then passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which limits county zoning authority over small modular reactors once federal permitting and certification steps are met, drew strong support from nuclear and business advocates and opposition from county, city, and environmental representatives concerned about local control, safety, waste, and preemption; it passed 6-4 after amendment-related discussion. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the power plant and transmission line siting committee to evaluate the plant itself when reviewing transmission line applications, by a 5-4 vote. Finally, HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during summer months and replace the lost revenue with state highway funds, prompted testimony about gas prices, boutique fuel requirements, and transportation funding needs; cities and counties opposed the diversion of highway funds, while the sponsor argued it would help consumers facing higher fuel costs. The Griffin amendment was adopted, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after debate on affordability versus road funding.