Another Anti-Energy, Anti-Growth Bill Looms

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The Texas Legislature is currently facing three significant anti-energy bills, notably Senate Bill 715 and its counterpart House Bill 3356, which have the potential to severely impact the state's energy growth and economy. These bills would mandate renewable energy projects to maintain substantial backup power at all times, even during periods of low demand, which could drastically increase electricity costs and threaten the reliability of the ERCOT grid. A recent study indicates that if these bills pass, Texas could face rolling blackouts affecting over a million residents each summer, alongside a projected $5.2 billion increase in power prices over the next decade.

Supporters of the bills argue for the necessity of backup power, yet critics highlight that such regulations disproportionately target renewable energy sources while exempting fossil fuels. This legislation undermines a previous compromise made in 2023, which aimed for a balanced approach to energy generation. The article emphasizes that market-driven solutions, rather than government interventions, are essential for meeting Texas's growing energy demands, and warns that these bills could lead to higher costs and reduced reliability for consumers, ultimately harming the state's economic growth.