AUSTIN, TX (June 2, 2025)—Several high-profile legislative proposals that threatened the foundational pillars of Texas’ energy and economic future failed to advance during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. At the same time, new safety-focused initiatives developed in partnership with the renewable energy industry are moving forward.
“Despite a wave of anti-renewable proposals this session, a majority of lawmakers wisely rejected the most extreme measures—recognizing that Texas can’t afford to forfeit any source of affordable, predictable power when every megawatt is needed to meet growing demand,” said Judd Messer, Texas Vice President of Advanced Power Alliance. “Without a competitive, diverse energy mix, Texas risks not only struggling to keep the lights on but also missing out on significant economic development opportunities. These legislators recognize renewable power for what it is: a vital part of the Texas economy, particularly in rural communities.”
Among the most contentious measures were Senate Bills 388, 715, and 819—which undermined Texas’ commitment to free markets, limited government, and private property rights, while threatening grid reliability and the affordability of electric bills.
“These proposals directly contradicted Texas’ long-standing values and threatened to undo hard-earned progress on grid reliability—suggesting that clean energy has become such a political flashpoint that a small band of lawmakers are willing to abandon the very principles they typically champion, not out of conviction, but out of political antagonism,” said Messer. “As technology advances and renewables and energy storage continue to deliver when the grid is strained, their value is becoming impossible to deny. Unable to challenge their merits, opponents have shifted the debate to peripheral concerns such as aesthetics or unfounded claims about impacts to wildlife and habitat—a trend that, unfortunately for all Texans, is likely to persist.”
In contrast, industry-backed efforts to enhance safety standards for emerging technologies earned bipartisan support. House Bill 3824 introduces new safety measures for stand-alone battery energy storage systems (BESS)—including fire safety standards, third-party inspections, emergency planning protocols, and annual training for first responders. Additionally, while Texas already leads the nation in statutory wind and solar decommissioning standards, House Bill 3809 extends these standards to BESS.
Finally, House Bills 3228 and 3229 strengthen the retirement process for energy projects by requiring full funding for the recycling and disposal of facility components, and by holding recycling companies accountable for meeting their performance obligations.
“As Texas increasingly embraces new energy technologies and the benefits they bring to our communities, the industry is demonstrating its proactive commitment to safety, transparency, and long-term stewardship,” said Messer.
This legislative momentum follows a report released earlier this year showing that current and projected renewable energy and storage projects are expected to generate nearly $50 billion in lifetime lease payments to landowners and local tax revenues. Still, efforts to undermine the competitiveness of these resources are likely to resurface in future legislation.
“Texas will continue to realize the tremendous benefits of renewable energy—so long as policies preserve a competitive market and ensure non-discriminatory treatment of all resources contributing to the grid,” concluded Messer. “Cooler heads prevailed this session—but the battle is far from over.”
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The Advanced Power Alliance is the industry trade association created to promote the development of wind, solar and energy storage as resources that deliver clean, reliable, affordable power for American consumers.
Media Contact: Haley Durbin
haley@hdstrats.com, 713-476-1172