US EditionTexas Senate passes bill requiring solar plants to provide power at night
- The Texas Senate passed a bill requiring new renewable energy projects to secure matching power from gas plants to ensure nighttime electricity supply.
- This bill builds on prior legislation targeting Texas's leading renewables sector, despite a scarce supply of new gas turbines needed for backup power.
- Experts warn that limiting renewable expansion could increase power costs by about 10%, raise blackout risks during hot weather, and heighten grid reliability concerns.
- A report by Aurora Energy Research projected load shedding of 1.8 to 3.1 gigawatts, risking outages for 360,000 to 620,000 homes in summer events.
- The legislation implies higher electricity prices and potential shortages, challenging Texas's ability to meet rapidly growing power demand while balancing policy and infrastructure needs.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Texas braces for surge in power demand amid population and industry boom
At a Texas Tribune event Thursday, energy experts discussed how the state’s growing energy demands will impact residential bills and how legislation is trying to regulate new big energy users. By Alejandra Martinez March 7, 2025 Updated: 16 hours ago Share Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that…
Texas Senate passes bill requiring solar plants to provide power at night
The Texas Senate passed a bill Thursday that leading business interests fear would lead to an age of expensive power and rolling blackouts. If passed by the House, state S.B. 715 would require all renewable projects — even existing ones — to buy backup power, largely from coal or gas plants. This would require solar…
Texas Senate Anti Renewables Bill Could Lead to Higher Prices, Blackouts
Texas legislature apparently has a suicide pact with the Gas Industry. Related post here has more background. The Hill: The Texas Senate on Thursday passed a bill that leading business interests fear would lead to an age of expensive power and rolling blackouts. If passed by the House, S.B. 715 would require all renewable projects … Continue reading "Texas Senate Anti Renewables Bill Could Lead to Higher Prices, Blackouts"
Power Generation Legislation – 710am KURV
Texas energy experts are warning about a bill that’s moving through the state legislature that they say will raise your power bill. It would require every wind turbine and solar plant to have a backup generator. Doug Lewin, who writes the Texas Energy and Power newsletter, says that is redundant. The head of the Electric Reliability Council agrees. He told the Houston Chronicle that the move would cause costs to go up “significantly.”
Texas Senate passes bill that may reduce reliability of power grid
A report by Aurora Energy Research cautioned that passage of Texas SB 715 will reduce reliability while increasing costs for consumers.The Texas Senate passed SB 712 in a vote 19 to 12. The bill aims to establish reliability requirements for electric generation facilities within the ERCOT power region and that the requirements apply only to facilities that have been operational for at least one year and are not self-generators. Aurora Energy Res…
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