Spark Alerts: April 4, 2025

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

📰 Market & Development News

Arizona

• 4/3- The town of Chino Valley is close to passing a restrictive solar ordinance which will likely kill bp’s 360-MW Draconis Solar project. Currently, 6/15 counties in AZ have restrictive solar ordinances enacted, per Heatmap.

• 4/1- Invenergy’s 70-MW Yuma Solar plant reached commercial operations in Yuma County.

Colorado

• 4/3- Governor Jared Polis is pushing to introduce a bill to enshrine his target of 100% renewable electricity for CO by 2040, but is facing pushback from stakeholders.

• 4/2- The Trump administration released frozen funds for six CO electric co-ops, but may be pressuring them to rework grant proposals to remove climate provisions.

• 3/31- CO will recognize nuclear power as ‘clean energy’ after the governor signed HB1040 into law.

• 3/31- Residents of Castle Rock pushed back against a BESS proposal by CORE Electric Cooperative, citing fire risks.

Texas

• 4/3- Stonewall County commissioners approved a tax abatement with Swenson Solar for a 5,000-acre solar proposal.

• 3/31- Avangrid’s 238-MW True North Solar came online in Falls County.

📢 Policy & Programs

Colorado

• HB1040- Nuclear Energy

  • Amends the definition of “clean energy” to include nuclear.

  • Introduced in House 1/8.

  • UPDATE- Signed by Governor 3/31, passed into law.

Texas

• HB4363- Battery Storage Fees

  • Would set requirements for utility battery storage facilities, including a PUC permit, an associated permit fee, and local fire department training.

  • Filed in House 3/11.

  • UPDATE- First reading 4/1, sent to State Affairs Committee.

• HB4353- Voter Approval For Renewables

  • Would require a county-wide election held for any utility-scale renewable or storage facility development in any county with over 10,000 residents. A projects would be barred from development without a majority vote from county residents.

  • Filed in House 3/11.

  • UPDATE- First reading 4/1, sent to State Affairs Committee.

• HB3228/SB2657- Solar Recycling

  • Mandates inclusion of certain recycling/disposal provisions in wind and solar lease agreements.

  • Filed in House 2/24, sister bill filed in Senate 3/13.

  • UPDATE- House State Affairs Committee recommended passage 4/2.

  • UPDATE- First reading in Senate 4/3, sent to Commerce Committee.

• HB3229/SB2659- Renewable Recycling

  • Lays out regulations and requirements for recycling of renewable system components.

  • Filed in Senate 3/13.

  • UPDATE- First reading in Senate 4/3, sent to Commerce Committee.

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