HB 3778
AN ACT relating to the use of geothermal energy as a dispatchable
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Amends Texas utility regulations to classify geothermal energy facilities as dispatchable power sources, meaning their energy output can be controlled primarily by human intervention. The legislation allows geothermal facilities to be eligible for loans and completion bonus grants for facilities generating at least 100 megawatts in the ERCOT power region, potentially encouraging more geothermal energy development in Texas. By changing the legal definition of geothermal energy, the bill could provide financial incentives and regulatory support for expanding this renewable energy source.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the use of geothermal energy as a dispatchable BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 34, Utilities Code, is amended by adding Section 34.01015 to read as follows: Sec. 34.01015. APPLICABILITY. For the purposes of this (1) a generating facility is considered to be dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily by forces under human control; and (2) a geothermal generating facility is considered to SECTION 2. Section 34.0104(a), Utilities Code, is amended (a) The commission may use money in the fund without further appropriation to provide loans to finance upgrades to existing dispatchable electric generating facilities providing power for the ERCOT power region that result in a net increase of at least 100 megawatts of capacity for each facility or the construction of dispatchable electric generating facilities providing power for the ERCOT power region that each have a generation capacity of at least 100 megawatts. [For the purposes of this section, a generating facility is considered to be dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily by forces under human control.] An electric energy storage facility is not eligible for SECTION 3. Section 34.0105(a), Utilities Code, is amended (a) The commission shall provide, using money available in the fund for the purpose without further appropriation, a completion bonus grant for the construction of dispatchable electric generating facilities in the ERCOT power region. [For the purposes of this section, a generating facility is considered to be dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily by forces under human control.] An electric energy storage facility is not eligible for a grant under this section. SECTION 4. Section 39.159(a), Utilities Code, is amended to (a) For the purposes of this section: (1)[,] a generation facility is considered to be dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily by forces under human control; and (2) a geothermal generation facility is considered to be dispatchable [non-dispatchable if the facility's output is controlled primarily by forces outside of human control]. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the use of geothermal energy as a dispatchable
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