Texas Legislature Kills Anti-Solar Bills, Renewable Energy Survives Fossil Fuel Attack

While Texas lawmakers tried their hardest to kneecap renewable energy this session, the wind and solar industry lived to fight another day.

The Texas House let three anti-renewable bills die quiet deaths. SB 819, SB 388, and SB 715 all missed vital deadlines. That’s what happens when you try to strangle an industry that’s actually working.

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst from Brenham really went for it. Her bill would’ve slapped new fees on renewable companies and forced them to get special permission from the Public Utility Commission before breaking ground. It also required public hearings for any project within 25 miles of the proposed site. Because apparently, making clean energy requires more red tape than pumping oil. This was her second swing at restricting renewables. She missed again.

Making clean energy apparently requires more red tape than pumping oil.

SB 388 had its own special brand of nonsense. It demanded half of all new energy generation be “dispatchable” – industry speak for “turns on whenever you want.” But here’s the kicker: they excluded battery storage from counting. You know, the technology that literally stores energy for when you need it.

Meanwhile, SB 715 wanted existing renewable installations to add backup energy systems. Because nothing says “free market” like forcing successful businesses to buy equipment they don’t need.

The Senate actually passed SB 819 back in April, dressed up as wildlife protection. Sure, protecting animals by blocking wind farms while oil rigs and pipelines get a pass. Makes perfect sense.

Here’s what these lawmakers seem to forget: Texas ranks second nationally in wind and solar capacity. Renewable energy makes up nearly 90% of new electrical generation here. Those projects will pump over $20 billion in tax revenue into state coffers. But let’s kill them off because… reasons?

At least someone showed sense. The legislature did pass SB 1202, which speeds up permitting for home solar installations. The bill allows licensed engineers to review documents and conduct inspections, cutting through bureaucratic delays that have plagued homeowners trying to go solar. Small victories.

Adrian Shelley from Public Citizen called it a win for ratepayers. He’s right. ERCOT says energy demand will double in ten years. Texas needs every megawatt it can get.

Governor Abbott talks about an “all of the above” energy approach. These dead bills suggest some lawmakers didn’t get the memo. Or maybe they did, and fossil fuel lobbying speaks louder than common sense. Meanwhile, battery storage capacity nearly doubled nationwide in 2024, providing crucial grid stability that Texas desperately needs during extreme weather events.