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HB 5533

AN ACT CONCERNING PILOT PROGRAMS AND GRANT FUNDING FOR THERMAL ENERGY NETWORKS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Gauthier and 6 co-sponsors

HB 5533 aims to establish and fund pilot programs and state grants to develop and test thermal energy networks, including geothermal resources and utility participation.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Energy and Technology
#gasregistrants #geothermalresources #grantsbythestate #pilots
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Bill Summary · HB 5533

Summary: HB 5533 – AN ACT CONCERNING PILOT PROGRAMS AND GRANT FUNDING FOR THERMAL ENERGY NETWORKS

Overview

HB 5533 is a bill titled AN ACT CONCERNING PILOT PROGRAMS AND GRANT FUNDING FOR THERMAL ENERGY NETWORKS. The focus of the legislation appears to be promoting the development and testing of thermal energy networks (such as district heating/cooling systems) through pilot programs and state grant funding. The bill’s subject areas include gas registrants, geothermal resources, state grants, and pilot projects.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish and fund pilot programs to demonstrate and scale thermal energy networks.
  • Create or authorize state grant funding to support the planning, deployment, and operation of thermal energy networks.
  • Address geothermal resources as a potential energy source within these networks.
  • Potentially involve gas registrants (likely utilities) in pilots or regulatory considerations to support or participate in thermal network projects.
  • Seek to advance energy efficiency, decarbonization, and diversification of energy infrastructure via publicly funded programs.

Note: The exact statutory provisions are not provided in the materials available. The outline below reflects the bill’s title and related subject areas and should be read against the full text for precise authorizations, definitions, funding levels, and administration.

Key Provisions (indicative, based on bill title)

Because the full text is not provided, the following is a general expectation for such legislation and should be verified against the bill text:
- Authorization to establish one or more pilot programs for thermal energy networks.
- Allocation or authorization of state grant funding to support pilot projects (eligibility criteria, grant periods, match requirements, reporting).
- Definitions of terms such as “thermal energy network,” “geothermal resources,” and “gas registrants.”
- Roles and oversight: designation of a state agency or program administrator to manage grants, oversee pilots, and monitor performance.
- Eligibility and participation rules for municipalities, utilities, institutions, and private partners.
- Reporting, performance metrics, and evaluation standards to assess pilot outcomes (energy savings, emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness).
- Compliance, permitting, and interagency coordination provisions.
- References to companion legislation or related programs (e.g., SB 1732).

Affected Parties

  • Gas registrants/utilities: potential participation, funding, or regulatory considerations as part of pilots.
  • Municipalities and local governments: deployment sites for pilots and recipients of grants.
  • Private developers and institutions (schools, hospitals, campuses): potential project participants.
  • Geothermal resource developers: involvement in pilot projects and resource utilization.
  • Ratepayers and the general public: potential benefits from decarbonization and improved heating/cooling options.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 14, 2025.
  • Legislative actions update:
    • 2025-01-21: Referred to Joint Committee on Energy and Technology.
    • 2025-04-07: Read first time; Referred to Public Health.
  • Status: REFERRED to a joint committee (Energy and Technology, with later reference to Public Health in the actions noted).
  • Related bill: SB 1732 (companion).

Next Steps and How to Track

  • Obtain the full bill text to confirm exact provisions, definitions, funding mechanisms, and administrative structure.
  • Monitor committee hearings and amendments for details on funding levels, eligibility, reporting requirements, and the scope of pilot programs.
  • Compare HB 5533 with its companion SB 1732 for alignment or differences.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary once the bill text is available to extract precise provisions, numbers, and timelines.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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