Texas is the nation’s leader in renewable energy - and it’s not even close. Our state produces more wind power than any other and is rapidly expanding solar energy across every corner of the grid. This clean, abundant power is helping keep the lights on during record heat, reducing pollution, and preventing Texans’ electricity bills from being even higher than they already are.
But some legislators inside the Texas Capitol are pushing legislation that could crumble the renewable energy industry as we know it.
These anti-renewable energy bills would add red tape, drive up costs, reduce reliability, and threaten private property rights - all to slow down energy sources that are already working for Texas.
We need legislators to know: We’re watching how they handle our energy future.
We Need Better Than SB 388 (Sen. King)
This bill would require 50% of all new power generation to be "dispatchable" - favoring gas and nuclear while excluding battery storage - literally the definition of “dispatchable” energy. It imposes a market-wide shift that ignores the way ERCOT is actually supposed to function.
How would this impact Texans? SB 388 would:
- Slow down wind and solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing energy sources
- Skew the market, forcing generators to buy costly dispatchable credits
- Raise electric bills for all Texans
The Reality of SB 715 (Sen. Sparks)
This bill would impose retroactive and unnecessary backup power mandates on new and existing solar and wind facilities. It would require a solar power plant, for example, to have enough backup power to match its daytime output at night - an unnecessary, unrealistic, and costly burden no other energy source faces.
That backup power? It would be a polluting gas plant, of course. And what would the impact be?
- Electricity bills would go up - ERCOT estimates $15/month increases
- Grid reliability would go down as existing wind and solar plants could be forced to curtail output or shut down
- Pollution would rise by shifting even more generation to fossil fuels
The Infamous Senate Bill 819 (Sen. Kolkhorst)
This bill is a Trojan horse of red tape that singles out solar and wind energy with:
- New buffer zones (3,000 ft for wind, 200 ft for solar)
- Mandatory Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
- Extra permitting through the Public Utility Commission
Meanwhile, oil and gas infrastructure faces far fewer siting restrictions - even when built dangerously close to homes and schools. We’re all for following processes to make sure new power sources are safe and not negatively impacting the environment or neighboring communities, but let’s make those processes fair.
What are the consequences of passing something like SB 819?
- Delays and higher costs for clean energy projects
- Fewer renewable installations, higher reliance on fossil fuels
- Higher bills for Texas families
Clean Energy Is Working - Let’s Not Break What’s Already Fixing the Grid and Keeping Costs Down
Instead of adding barriers, we should be expanding access to wind, solar, and battery storage. These sources are:
- Abundant
- Affordable
- Already powering our homes, schools, and businesses
They are reducing pollution, attracting billions in private investment, and keeping Texas energy independent.
Most, if not all, of these bills would raise prices for Texans - benefiting billionaire special interests who don't like seeing windmills and solar panels. Do our legislators work for them, or for us? Let them know: we’re watching.
We can’t afford to go backward. These bills are a direct threat to our energy affordability, reliability, and future. Tell your legislators: Vote NO on these anti-renewable bills.