Committee Summary for Senate Energy and Natural Resources (02/20/2025)

Avard, Kevin(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Pearl, Howard (V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024	McConkey, Mark(R)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB165 0474s 00:06:02.000 - 8:05:03 AM	Executive Session	relative to the audit requirements for consumer cooperative associations.	Avard, Kevin(R)[C+]2024
SB107 0370s 00:08:25.159 - 8:07:26 AM	Executive Session	enabling the state treasurer to invest certain fish and game funds.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB108 0501s 00:10:49.519 - 8:09:50 AM	Executive Session	relative to the department of energy.	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024
SB109 00:22:15.159 - 8:21:16 AM	Executive Session	relative to alteration of terrain permits.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB110 0516s 00:23:47.320 - 8:22:48 AM	Executive Session	relative to terrain permitting.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB112 0511s 00:28:09.919 - 8:27:10 AM	Executive Session	relative to purchased power agreements for electric distribution utilities.	Avard, Kevin(R)[C+]2024
SB226 00:32:52.919 - 8:31:53 AM	Executive Session	suspending applications for new landfills and establishing a committee to study the feasibility of incinerating solid waste.	Rochefort, David(R)
SB227 00:36:01.520 - 8:35:02 AM	Executive Session	relative to site setbacks for landfills.	Rochefort, David(R)
SB228 00:36:48.079 - 8:35:49 AM	Executive Session	relative to the limitations on community customer generators.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB230 00:43:07.599 - 8:42:08 AM	Executive Session	allowing microgrids that are in the public interest.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB233 0508s 00:47:48.319 - 8:46:49 AM	Executive Session	establishing an energy reliability and large-scale storage task force.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024
SB234 00:54:48.599 - 8:53:49 AM	Executive Session	relative to the electric assistance program.	Watters, David(D)[CT]2024

SB165 0474s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:06:02.000 - 8:05:03 AM; The senator introduced amendment 0474s to SB165, which pertains to the solar industry. They explained that the amendment is a result of discussions between the industry and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). The amendment establishes a permit by notification process for installing solar panels, addressing concerns related to water runoff rules. The senator noted that both sides were satisfied with the compromise, and encouraged the committee to consider and approve the amendment.
SB107 0370s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:08:25.159 - 8:07:26 AM; The senator introduced amendment 0370s to SB107, which clarifies that the federal funding mentioned in the bill pertains only to non-game species funds. They confirmed that this change was discussed and agreed upon with Senator Lang.
SB108 0501s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:10:49.519 - 8:09:50 AM; The senator introduced amendment 0501s to SB108, which is an extensive amendment incorporating feedback from the Department of Energy and other stakeholders. The amendment addresses various changes, deletions, and additions based on the testimony received. There was some confusion about the amendment's details, particularly regarding who sets the tariffs, but it was clarified that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approves them. The senator suggested moving forward with the amendment as presented, with the possibility of further adjustments before the session.
SB109: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:22:15.159 - 8:21:16 AM; The senator suggested re-referring SB109 due to significant changes already underway in the budget process that align with the bill's objectives. They believed it would be beneficial to monitor the budget process and potentially address the desired changes within it, rather than moving forward with the bill separately.
SB109: Senator Rosen Information Only00:23:00.679 - 8:22:01 AM; Senator Rosen noted that similar provisions, including a doubling of fees, are already included in House Bill 2. They expressed concern about having two competing pieces of legislation and supported re-referring SB109 to avoid this.
SB110 0516s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:23:47.320 - 8:22:48 AM; The senator moved to pass SB110 as amended by amendment 0516s. They explained that the amendment addresses issues similar to those in House Bill 2, but with some improvements. The Department of Environmental Services (DES) supported the amendment as an improved version of what's in House Bill 2, suggesting it move forward as a Senate vehicle to potentially influence the House's budget process.
SB110 0516s: Adam Kepo, Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Environmental Services Support00:25:05.880 - 8:24:06 AM; Adam Kepo explained that the amendment was developed in consultation with the governor's office and addresses similar issues as House Bill 2 but with enhancements. The DES supports moving forward with this amendment as it represents an improved version of the current House Bill 2 language.
SB112 0511s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:28:09.919 - 8:27:10 AM; The senator introduced amendment 0511s to SB112, which includes keeping the 2 million megawatt cap and adding the Department of Energy to the determination process. There was some confusion about the amendment's intent, leading to a committee amendment to retain the cap and clarify other aspects of the bill. The senator expressed concerns about the high risk and reward for generators and the impact on ratepayers, indicating they would not vote in favor of the bill.
SB226: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:32:52.919 - 8:31:53 AM; The senator suggested re-referring SB226 due to ongoing budget discussions related to landfills. They believed that the budget process should be allowed to address the issues raised by the bill, suggesting that the bill was not ready for prime time.
SB226: Senator Rosen Information Only00:33:40.919 - 8:32:41 AM; Senator Rosen supported the re-referral, appreciating the leadership on the issue but suggesting that the budget process would be a better venue to ensure that the necessary protections are adequately addressed.
SB226: Senator Rosen Oppose00:34:27.760 - 8:33:28 AM; Senator Rosen stated they would not vote for the re-referral, though no further reasons were provided.
SB227: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:36:01.520 - 8:35:02 AM; The senator moved to re-refer SB227, citing ongoing budget work related to landfill setbacks. They believed that the budget process was the appropriate vehicle for addressing the issues raised by the bill.
SB228: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:36:48.079 - 8:35:49 AM; The senator requested to hold off on SB228 until after the break to allow more time for discussion and amendment drafting. They provided a background and a draft amendment addressing issues such as double dipping, homeowner definitions, and the 500 kilowatt issue. They wanted to ensure the Department of Energy had more time to weigh in on remaining issues.
SB228: Senator Rosen Information Only00:40:45.520 - 8:39:46 AM; Senator Rosen questioned the removal of non-profit educational institutions from the amendment, which was clarified by the senator as being included in the amendment text.
SB230: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:43:07.599 - 8:42:08 AM; The senator introduced a committee amendment to SB230, which replaced all existing microgrid-related content with a definition of small modular reactors (SMRs) and added SMRs to the definition of distributed energy resources. They explained that this amendment was more appropriate given the ongoing microgrid study and the need to define SMRs in statute. The amendment was supported as it aligned with the governor's interest in SMRs and the statute's recognition of nuclear as a clean source.
SB233 0508s: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:47:48.319 - 8:46:49 AM; The senator introduced amendment 0508s to SB233, which establishes a task force to evaluate energy storage, including an indexing storage credit model. The amendment removed the funding provision from the renewable energy fund, as it may no longer exist, and extended the task force's reporting deadlines. The Department of Energy was comfortable with these changes, and the senator noted that interested parties could potentially fund any necessary consultants.
SB233 0508s: Senator Maki Information Only00:51:43.760 - 8:50:44 AM; Senator Maki questioned the composition of the task force, suggesting that if the issue is important, a senator should lead it. This led to a committee amendment to have the first meeting called by the named Senate member.
SB234: Unnamed Senator Information Only00:54:48.599 - 8:53:49 AM; The senator moved to recommend that SB234 be found Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) due to its similarities with SB236. They noted ongoing discussions to reconcile the two bills and mentioned a drafting error in SB236 that needs to be fixed. The senator believed that SB234's fiscal note, which was larger than SB236's, was due to a proposed change from 15 to 2, which they deemed unfeasible.
SB234: Senator Rosen Information Only00:56:23.839 - 8:55:24 AM; Senator Rosen questioned why SB234 had a large fiscal note while SB236 did not, and the senator explained that it was due to the proposed change from 15 to 2, which would not be possible.