Solar Industry Statement on Texas Senate Passing Bill that Will Harm Needed Energy Generation 

AUSTIN, Texas — Today, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 819 by a 22-9 vote, restricting new clean energy projects in a way that will harm much-needed energy generation in the state.

The legislation adds onerous requirements to new solar projects that would not apply to other energy sources except wind. Experts warn that, if passed, the legislation would risk the state’s ability to meet fast-rising energy demand by making it exceedingly difficult and more expensive to build new clean energy projects. The bill also threatens to harm rural communities that rely on the payments for landowners and tax income from these projects. 

Daniel Giese, SEIA’s Texas director of state affairs, issued the following statement after the Senate’s vote:

“With energy demand rising fast, Texas needs every megawatt it can generate to keep the lights on and our economy strong. We cannot afford to turn away from the pro-energy and pro-business policies that made the Lone Star State the energy capital, but that’s exactly what SB 819 does. Solar is a $50 billion industry in Texas and is one of the fastest and most affordable sources of energy to build. We urge the Texas House to reject this bill.”

The Texas solar industry opposes SB 819 because it will:

• Raise Texans’ utility bills. Less clean energy means higher electricity prices for consumers and businesses. A recent study found that clean energy saved Texans $11 billion in the past two years. 
• Risk grid reliability. Solar is the largest source of new energy generating capacity being added to the Texas grid. Experts from ERCOT, the Texas Comptroller’s office, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas credit solar and storage for helping the grid stay stable in the midst of recent cold snaps and heat waves. As the quickest and most affordable source of energy to develop and deploy to the grid, the continued growth of solar is essential to meeting the state’s booming energy demand. 
• Harm rural economies. A recent report estimated that existing and planned solar, wind, and battery storage projects will contribute $20 billion in local tax revenue and $29.5 billion in landowner payments.
• Damage private property rights. Property rights are a core Texas value, but this bill would claw back landowners’ rights to make land use decisions that are best for themselves and their families. The state telling landowners that they can’t use their land in the way they see fit is antithetical to the Texas identity. 

A strong solar industry means a strong grid, economic development, and lower energy costs for Texans. 

SEIA will continue education efforts as the bill moves through the legislative process. 

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy. SEIA works with its 1,200 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Jacob Weinberg, SEIA’s Senior Manager of Communications, jweinberg@seia.org, 703-350-3774