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Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 14, 2026·20m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee heard SB 210, a bill to fix a grid-connection loophole blocking approximately 10 community solar projects totaling 31 megawatts, with all testifiers in support and Senator Hansen announcing she would circulate the bill for signatures with the goal of a full Senate floor vote the following day.

Key Actions

·SB 210 – Community-Owned Energy Generating Facility DefinitionNo Vote

Controversies

Whether the bill could allow a solar facility located entirely in co-op territory to benefit Delmarva Power customers

Senator Pettyjohn raised a concern that the bill might inadvertently allow a solar field located entirely in co-op territory to feed credits into or sell to Delmarva Power simply by virtue of the interconnection point, and asked whether a facility must be 'at least touching the service territory' of the utility to which it sells power. Matt Hartigan responded 'I believe you're correct, Senator,' and the concern was resolved to Pettyjohn's apparent satisfaction. No other speaker challenged Pettyjohn's concern.

Notable Quotes

“The way the current law is written, it is written to say that the facility must be located in the service area of the utility, and facility is being taken to mean the entirety of what is being built.”

Senator Stephanie Hansen — Senator Hansen, the bill sponsor, was explaining the core legal ambiguity that has prevented approximately 10 community solar projects from connecting to the grid, which SB 210 is designed to fix by anchoring eligibility to the point of interconnection rather than the entire physical facility.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to adjournPassed
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TranscriptPreview
Order. I'm State Senator Stephanie Hansen and I'm the chair of the committee. Today's date is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. As Chair of the committee and in accordance with Senate rules, this committee is authorized to meet in a hybrid format. Committee members and members of the public can participate either in person or virtually through zoom webinar. Should any member experience technical difficulties, please call my Legislative Assistant, Anna Shields. The public may participate virtually by registering via the meeting link that is posted on the General Assembly's website. Instructions for providing public comment are posted on the website under this committee meeting's notice and will be provided during the public comment portion of this hearing. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the meeting in person and should sign the sign in document for attendance and to indicate if they'd like to speak on a bill. We'll begin today's meeting by taking a roll call. Attendance of the committee members present when your name is called, please affirm your attendance. Senator Russ Huxtable. Here. Senator Elizabeth Lockman. Here. Senator Spiras Pansevinos. Senator Trey. Party. I know I need a drink of water. Senator Ray Siegfried. Senator…
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