SB 819: A Direct Threat to Texas’ Energy Future

As Texas faces record-breaking electricity demand and rapid population growth, state leaders must make urgent decisions about how to ensure affordable, reliable power for all Texans. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 819 (SB 819), introduced by Senator Lois Kolkhorst, takes us in the wrong direction.

SB 819 would dramatically increase electricity costs, stifle economic development, and override the private property rights that are foundational to Texas’ identity. Simply put, this bill would punish Texas landowners and businesses for choosing to invest in affordable clean energy, and Texans would foot the bill.

Raising Costs, Reducing Reliability

Texas has long led the nation in renewable energy deployment, and that leadership has delivered real benefits. The inclusion of wind, solar, and battery storage in ERCOT’s generation mix saves Texans billions of dollars annually, increases competition, and helps keep the lights on during periods of extreme demand.

SB 819 would grind that progress to a halt. By singling out renewables for new permitting hurdles and regulatory red tape, it threatens to remove the lowest-cost energy resources from our power mix at the exact moment we need more generation on the grid, not less. Texans already facing high bills can’t afford this kind of government overreach.

So what does SB 819 Do?

SB 819 allows the state to override voluntary agreements between landowners and energy developers. It proposes sweeping new regulations for renewable energy projects such as mandatory notifications to communities within 25 miles of a proposed project, while excluding fossil fuel generators from any similar requirement.

This is a fundamental break from Texas tradition. The state has long upheld the rights of landowners to decide how best to use their land: whether for farming, oil and gas, or renewable energy. SB 819 represents an unprecedented expansion of state authority and a dangerous precedent for future government intervention.

Renewable energy projects have brought billions in private investment to rural Texas communities, creating jobs, strengthening local tax bases, and supporting schools and infrastructure — all without raising taxes.

A new 2025 report from Dr. Joshua Rhodes, commissioned by Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation (CTEI), estimates that clean energy projects will generate $50 billion in lifetime lease payments and local tax revenues for Texas landowners and counties. That’s revenue that directly supports schools, roads, emergency services, and local infrastructure — particularly in rural parts of the state.

“In many cases, the long-term revenue streams renewable energy and energy storage lease agreements provide are helping rural Texans hold on to land that has been in their families for generations,” said Dr. Rhodes.

Yet SB 819 threatens to strip away those lifelines by deterring new projects from ever getting off the ground. With over 75% of Texas counties expected to benefit from renewable energy developments, the stakes could not be higher.

Why Now?

Texas needs more power, not less. The Texas grid must prepare for the massive energy demand expected from data centers, manufacturing, and new technologies. In his 2025 State of the State address, Governor Abbott acknowledged this, noting that Texas increased power generation by 35% over the last four years: with 92% of that increase coming from renewables and battery storage.

Renewable energy projects have brought billions in private investment to rural Texas communities, creating jobs, strengthening local tax bases, and supporting schools and infrastructure — all without raising taxes.

Over 75% of Texas counties are expected to benefit from wind, solar, or energy storage revenues. Yet SB 819 would strip away these opportunities, jeopardizing steady income streams that allow family farms and ranches to remain intact across generations.

A Clear Choice

The path forward is clear. Texas can double down on its energy leadership, or it can saddle ratepayers with higher costs, erode private property rights, and shrink economic opportunity in rural communities.

SB 819 may be cloaked in the language of “common sense,” but its impact is anything but. It’s an anti-growth, anti-property rights, anti-energy proposal that Texans simply cannot afford.

Let’s invest in abundance, not scarcity. Let’s choose freedom, not red tape. Let’s build a stronger Texas energy future together.

Salomé Garcia
Director of Policy & Programming
Conservative Energy Network