Spark Alerts: April 1, 2025

Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on utility-scale solar news and policy updates in Illinois and Texas. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

📰 Market & Development News

Illinois

• 3/29- Tazewell County approved a SUP for Unsicker Solar to build a 12-MW solar farm on a 50 acre agricultural parcel. The county rejected the farm earlier this year but reconsidered on an appeal.

• 3/28- Lawmakers in DeWitt County said that while there are no active solar applications in the county, they are taking steps to “address gaps” in their existing solar ordinance.

Texas

• 3/29- Avangrid’s 321-MW solar farm in Falls County began operations, supported by a long term PPA from Meta.

• 3/28- Hornet Solar announced the development of a 600-MW solar project in Swisher County.

📢 Policy & Programs

Texas

• HB3809

  • Lays out regulations and penalties for BESS facility removal.

  • First reading in House 3/26.

  • UPDATE- Scheduled for House public hearing on 4/2.

• HB2349/SB1172- Tax Exemptions

  • Exempts certain transactions, including sale or lease of a solar property, from regulation by the TX Real Estate Commission.

  • Filed in House 2/3, filed in Senate 2/7.

  • UPDATE- Scheduled for House public hearing on 4/1.

• HB3229

  • Mandates inclusion of certain recycling/disposal provisions in wind and solar lease agreements, lays out administrative fees.

  • Introduced in House 3/20.

  • UPDATE- Left pending in House Environmental Regulation Committee 3/27.

• SB819

  • Establishes additional permitting fees for solar and wind projects.

  • Introduced in Senate 2/7.

  • UPDATE- Left pending in Senate Business & Commerce Committee 3/27.

• HB4057

  • Mandates that municipality may not enter into an agreement to exempt from taxation any real property on which a renewable energy facility is located or planned.

  • First reading in House 3/27, referred to Ways & Means Committee.

• SB1824

  • Lays out regulations for removal of battery storage systems.

  • Filed in Senate 3/3. Sister bill filed in House 3/5.

  • UPDATE- Left pending in Senate Business & Commerce Committee 3/27.

• HB3228

  • Mandates recycling guarantees for solar project owners.

  • Introduced in House 3/20.

  • UPDATE- Left pending in House State Affairs Committee 3/26.

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