HB 278 & SB 427: Distributed Solar Power (For)
These bills are identical. They would create a minimum requirement that Texas produce 2,000 mega-watts of electricity from distributed solar panels by 2020. The bill creates a strong incentive for the manufacturers of thin-film and photovoltaic (PV) solar collectors to locate in Texas as there will be a guaranteed market. It will spur innovation and competition that will lead to better technologies at a lower price.

The bill would require utilities to create incentive programs that encourage solar panel installation. This would mean the creation of rules by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) that would ensure utilities are able to recover their costs and that end-benefits are appreciate by consumers. This is a bill that helps grow the Texas economy, reduce energy costs over the long term, increase energy security, and prepare the state to address carbon ahead of federal regulations.

Committees: HB 278 is in Energy Resources; SB 427 is in Business & Commerce

HB 280 & SB 546: Energy Efficiency Standards (For)
These bills are NOT identical, but both relate to energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is the cheapest way to address energy and climate in Texas and the US. Whenever we improve energy efficiency we save businesses and consumers money by reducing the amount of energy needed to provide the same amount of benefit as before. This is NOT energy conservation, which means simply using less energy (such as by turning off the AC). According to Barry Smitherman, chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission (appointed by Gov. Rick Perry) we get $2 back for every $1 we invest in efficiency.

HB 280 is designed to have electric utilities increase incentives for efficiency in homes and buildings so that by 2016 overall electricity demand will be decreasing by 2% a year. It sets smaller targets for 2011, 2013, and 2015. This is an aggressive goal which will make Texas far more competitive for businesses, and will substantially reduce electricity bills for Texas families. It is also likely to create jobs as more energy efficiency assessments and upgrades will be needed.

SB 546 is a less aggressive bill, but it is hoped that changes can be made to it to increase its impact. It would require utilities to meet 30% of growth in electricity demand from residential and commercial customers with efficiency upgrades by the end of 2010, and would raise the standard to 50% by the end of 2015.

Committees: HB280 is in the Energy Resources committee; SB 546 is in the Business and Commerce committee