[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6232837,"mediaKeyId","3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72","parentId",3425739,"title","House committee rejects task force to study virtual power and grid-enhancing technologies after heated debate","audioSeconds",4555,"startMs",1641000,"endMs",6196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72&start=1641&end=6196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72/thumbnail_1641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232837/Louisiana/House-committee-rejects-task-force-to-study-virtual-power-and-grid-enhancing-technologies-after-heated-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232837-c5100bd0912ea54fd8cbb1039e465d5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770646448&Signature=iTSoucYM3bL4yw5TpTb7WSaiKf60R716dky-tPDKbYhtLfqX-CJDSV1itaJ7jOeZDwiREMKdlCTa8XQhF63bDo09Zk0GguYi05SYEYmk7QXO1X8sXr0tvHO0m8HNoltwAXSyKn-fcbDsCkSJRy7m3dBzHQ7yoVQjx5ztlRYvK2jVSp1knr3tuMLJGzhWQkxhCYSb4qgIaeo0T-M7Tw-0mmjIw158XfLnZaROBBth3~LSxmynEMHE4LRHQIsYYk7qrruAQdlfPrAInorZoE1y~HnZEf13iiLXN0-aP9JnTbp3G3saNGEjVpf02lOxKT05X7VoyDSFDuYcCwGGFquZNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","House Concurrent Resolution 40, proposing creation of a Louisiana Grid Efficiency Task Force to examine virtual power plants and grid-enhancing technologies, failed in the House Natural Resources Committee on May 21 after extended debate among legislators, regulators, utilities and industry groups.

Representative Zuerang, the resolution’s sponsor, told the committee the task force would “get ahead of the game” and study opportunities to optimize the grid as demand grows over coming decades. “This is an opportunity to create a task force to start looking at that, given the fact that energy demand is anticipated increase,” Zuerang said, adding the panel would gather information and not supplant regulatory authority.

Multiple amendments broadened the task force’s membership to include additional legislators, members or designees from the Public Service Commission and Senate Commerce committee, an appointee from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Energy Preparedness (GOSEP) with electric-grid security expertise, and representatives from natural gas and nuclear energy industries. The sponsor said the task force would not perform confidential, proprietary geographic analyses already conducted by state labs and agencies.

Opponents said the resolution rested on incomplete or misleading studies and risked duplicating or undercutting work by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Jody Monteliero of Entergy urged caution, saying some cited studies understated grid investment in the Delta region; Entergy highlighted multi-billion-dollar transmission and distribution investments it has made and asked that public comments be accurate. “When we have conversations publicly, those conversations need to be, I mean they can be speculative but they need to be accurate,” Monteliero said.

Brandon Fry, identified as executive secretary of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, told the committee he had not yet spoken with commissioners and cautioned that the PSC could handle similar work within its rule-making and docket processes; he added, however, that timing mattered if the resolution was to advance.

Energy office and renewable-energy representatives said the task force would be technology-agnostic and provide a forum to collect diverse perspectives. Dustin Davidson, deputy secretary of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, said energy demand is already a nationwide concern and that the department is coordinating with PSC and federal groups on planning and grant opportunities.

After members debated and amendments were adopted, Representative McCormick and others voiced opposition on grounds including possible grid reliability impacts and insufficient clarity about objectives. The committee’s roll call read 11 opposed and 2 in favor, and the chairman announced HCR 40 failed. Several members said the discussion raised issues the legislature will have to address going forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natural Resources and Environment May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The House Natural Resources Committee voted down HCR 40, a measure to form a Louisiana Grid Efficiency Task Force to study virtual power plants and grid-enhancing technologies, after extended testimony from utilities, regulators and industry.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232842,"Committee backs bill to speed Louisiana permitting for small modular nuclear reactors",449,95000,544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72&start=95&end=544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6232842/Louisiana/Committee-backs-bill-to-speed-Louisiana-permitting-for-small-modular-nuclear-reactors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232842-f3953aa1f0c496424cd1b7b1dd54c3fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770646448&Signature=fXIYOeXTJ868St0UUdoSPEMyP8sZ-9UPffy6YAnnPUiIUytUSdAP3LZdXMJwBRJdyCASKK6ZS3F7kGruYIPHoAX1eDbbooUj1Ws2q6BGCLUwGOwPngJqsE3B3l3Ak1BH6rQkF2w6J60BV1Oi6ZdpWJ8eoYzLS7m78Zp9hiKEv3CkRi-kkYWQ~5Y0VUT9o4bviGm~uuFaNf1T-FcozhQxjAsDbCEd5-8EB1Oig4JPh2nEBDu4932JXpN5OhoS7eB0Y3qFOwrOHVsVwv2z26Ui-dduyIsSpP~uQzzcc-3eWCI5uN65BMuNSsvJ11g0JHG7ToO5MTns9D-ucmzQqb8Btg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 127, which aims to speed environmental permitting for advanced nuclear power projects, drew support from the House Natural Resources Committee on May 21 and was reported favorable.

The bill was introduced in committee by Senator Bass. “Senate Bill 127 is a bill that aims to streamline the permitting process for advanced nuclear power generation in Louisiana,” Senator Bass told committee members, explaining the measure would authorize the secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality to “develop and implement a program that expedites the processing of environmental permits, modifications, licenses, registrations, or variances” for applicants for small modular reactors who have letters of collaboration with federal agencies.

Courtney Burnett, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, appeared with the sponsor and told the committee the bill would not give DEQ any new substantive authority but would allow the department to act faster. “We’re not asking for the authority to do anything that we don’t already have the authority to do, just to do what we do quicker,” Burnett said.

Committee members asked about timing and scale. Senator Bass and Burnett described the bill as aligning state permit review with federal timelines for applicants that coordinate with entities such as the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. On the question of how quickly a small modular reactor could be operational, Bass said experience in other states suggests even with streamlined permitting “you’re probably 6 to 7 years out even with the parity.”

Vice Chair Ozeron moved the bill favorably; with no recorded opposition raised during the committee, the chairman declared SB 127 “reported favorable.” The committee did not adopt a roll-call vote on the measure in committee.

The bill’s backers included representatives of utilities and industry groups who filed support cards; DEQ officials said the program is designed to reduce duplication between state and federal reviews when projects coordinate with federal partners.

A copy of the bill and associated documents will move with the committee record to the next legislative steps.","The House Natural Resources Committee on May 21 reported Senate Bill 127 favorably, a measure to let the Department of Environmental Quality expedite environmental permits for advanced nuclear projects that coordinate with federal agencies.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232828,"Committee advances local bill to allow bulkheads on a Saint Tammany Parish oxbow lake",105,568000,673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72&start=568&end=673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72/thumbnail_568000.jpg","/articles/6232828/Louisiana/Committee-advances-local-bill-to-allow-bulkheads-on-a-Saint-Tammany-Parish-oxbow-lake","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232828-c4dde724d290d21aa44c5b90a30b52c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770646448&Signature=ap0wCA5EzJ3arUQg1GIICS6dJNA44vIGk0vdxFuNOTFB3RfROiZaZ1vf1muKJlyab32h~twe7lzGjSNRmDFmPhiHs5SXdKn8DAAfBwdEZNM58WhdSBTkalRiFJFPl5Hhl-VQkKjWjAe6bVOB51C3CMSaLBQ3igIVbRblxtBLJzuZpAHTnprv4myyIH2vN3pEdVkHzGzwshBSLlElGQ~WYa1bAvMe4svAL84Jb~gh8tCwjefgZlUppbEcpZ78a25hvsy65hbNKLlHgSzBJ8X2gpLdEY1NbvtyS61olUBP6IiwlMV-LXFUVS8-EGTaBnUob0nxc-FARsu-Tr2j-ZlmPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 145, a local measure concerning construction of bulkheads on a specific water body in St. Tammany Parish, was presented to the House Natural Resources Committee on May 21 and reported favorable.

Chairman McMath handled the bill and said the measure concerns an oxbow lake off the Trufungta River in an older neighborhood developed in the 1950s and 1960s. He described a particular lot with substantial wetland area and said residents requested legislative attention to avoid potential blocking of waterways. “It's a very simple, impacts a very small geographic area, which is the majority of the bill is longitude and latitude,” McMath told the committee.

Representative Ziraine moved the bill favorable, and no questions were raised after the sponsor’s explanation. The committee adopted the favorable motion and reported the local bill without amendment.

Committee members noted the bill applies to a narrowly defined geographic area and is intended to protect wetlands and waterway access in that neighborhood. The bill will proceed in the legislative process with the committee report.","Senate Bill 145, a local bill affecting construction of bulkheads on an oxbow lake in St. Tammany Parish, was reported favorable after brief explanation from the sponsor that the measure targets a small, specifically described area.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6232833,"Committee advances bill to offer reduced combined hunting and fishing license for Louisiana veterans",768,695000,1463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72&start=695&end=1463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425739-5677f419be05033927a6c700cff34a72/thumbnail_695000.jpg","/articles/6232833/Louisiana/Committee-advances-bill-to-offer-reduced-combined-hunting-and-fishing-license-for-Louisiana-veterans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232833-09da2f4d66f048301bc27884ee9e7a12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770646448&Signature=WyFiVCVPjOj328tWxscjxtoVPnU1c5~sg4GmrMFaTeAyXoq0-v~ljv8jvyCPlgr~JYDZku928a3HKbdPZKA~JNkjA~-WECZF0WvmcymP0YPLt7y99jh8qKK0nfxOMBSLPJP3o5aTmkQVY~iqUrnr4fXVnDcGeaBLtsquhZB0Zhs0iP~EQRhOoTDUpdq8EDfBdco4RmeY0BLzDDmRA6qZ1H8xR4dSifckTVK~IfS01AGGIvd4pbA2xNEgV3gZyLl6-Ri5~VQFRwu67W7CQV6vgDo8x2aC~~IihrQaDThggzizCkuIbgqjEkfXZ-qZFKhouHi48dqpmW61fgH079uKDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 69, carried in committee by Senator Myers, would make a reduced-cost comprehensive hunting and fishing license — priced at $20 annually — available to honorably discharged veterans who establish residency in Louisiana. The House Natural Resources Committee reported the bill favorable on May 21.

Senator Myers told the committee the change would both honor veterans and support the administration’s recruiting initiative known as “the boot,” aimed at drawing veterans and military families to the state. “This serves as a clear and meaningful way for our state to honor those who have worn the uniform,” Myers said, and called the measure a strategic recruitment tool.

Brian McClintock, undersecretary with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and General Counsel Cole Garrett spoke for the department. McClintock said the department supported the bill. On the fiscal note, department staff described the estimate as a “worst case scenario” because current license records do not track which purchasers are honorably discharged veterans. “We do not keep records of how many of our license holders right now are honorably discharged,” McClintock said. The department said it can track purchases under a new license privilege going forward and will report back on fiscal impacts.

Representative Mack moved to report the bill favorably and multiple committee members expressed support. Representative McCormick asked for a follow-up report in years 1–3; the department agreed to provide monitoring information on revenue and participation.

Testimony said the program is resident-only (six months residency required) and the license would be annual rather than lifetime. The department also said existing conservation and special funds and federal offsets could mitigate fiscal impacts for certain categories of veterans. The committee reported SB 69 favorable without recorded opposition and the bill will move to appropriations for further consideration.","Senate Bill 69 would allow honorably discharged Louisiana veterans who establish residency to buy an annual comprehensive hunting and fishing license for $20; the committee reported the bill favorably after testimony about fiscal assumptions and outreach plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee rejects task force to study virtual power and grid-enhancing technologies after heated debate

Committee backs bill to speed Louisiana permitting for small modular nuclear reactors

Committee advances local bill to allow bulkheads on a Saint Tammany Parish oxbow lake

Committee advances bill to offer reduced combined hunting and fishing license for Louisiana veterans