Proposed legislation would impose new constraints and regulatory obstacles for renewable energy, as conservative responses to ESG-related initiatives continue to morph across the US.
By Sarah E. Fortt, Joshua W. Marnitz, and Austin J. Pierce
The Texas legislature is considering several bills that could significantly impact both the regulatory landscape for renewable energy projects in the state and policy debates heating up around the country.
Texas leads among US states in renewable energy generation, producing more electricity from wind and utility-scale solar facilities than any other state by far.[1] In 2022, for instance, it produced more than twice the number of gigawatt-hours from wind and utility-scale solar sources than California. However, the proposed bills could substantially alter the trajectory (and viability) of various energy transition projects, as conservative policymakers continue to flex their regulatory power to shape the conversation around ESG and related initiatives.
This post summarizes the key aspects of several bills under consideration in the state and briefly outlines what they might mean for renewable energy projects in Texas.