This Tuesday, in an 18-13 bipartisan vote, the Texas Senate passed SB 258 which will increase the energy savings goals for utilities for the first time since 2011. This landmark bill aims to combat rising energy costs for Texans through low-cost energy efficiency solutions.
Sen. Sarah Eckhardt authored the bill, which would require Texas transmission and distribution utilities to achieve energy efficiency savings equal to 1% of the annual electric usage of their customers. This is a large increase in energy savings compared to the current energy savings goal of 0.40% of peak demand.
The passage of SB 258 would change the energy efficiency savings goal to a percentage of annual energy usage rather than a percentage of peak demand. According to the Sierra Club, SB 258 would quadruple investments in energy efficiency by 2030. These are dramatic savings for an energy-intensive state such as Texas.
After Winter Storm Uri, environmental advocates throughout the state have tirelessly fought for legislative changes that encourage and advance energy efficiency solutions. Energy efficiency is an affordable method of curbing the rising cost of utility bills that Texans are facing. Energy efficiency programs have always been a low-cost solution to reducing energy waste, increasing the energy efficiency of a resident’s home, and securing the future of the Texas grid.
Senate Bill 258 now heads to the Texas House, where it will be referred to the House Committee on State Affairs for consideration.
The Sierra Club’s Cyrus Reed encourages House Speaker Dade Phelan to focus on SB 258, saying, “We call on Speaker Dade Phelan to prioritize this bill as it makes its way to the House. Texans need more programs to help them afford increasing electricity costs, and we need consumer-friendly solutions, such as setting a long-term energy efficiency goal for the state of Texas.”