Spark Alerts: April 8, 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

• 4/7- The Trump administration paused nearly $500m in renewable energy funding to Arizona Public Service Company and a power cooperative in Benson.

• 4/7- A new lithium-ion battery recycling facility came online in Casa GRande.

Colorado

• 4/5- Alamosa County is revisiting plans for Korsail’s redesigned 986-acre Cornflower solar/storage project.

Texas

• 4/4- Spanish renewable developer Greenalia secured $388m for its first solar project in Texas, a 331-MWac project in Childress County.

• 4/4- A study found that Texas topped the list of states where energy bills could rise if IRA incentives are repealed.

  • Note that Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico all appeared in the top 5 by potential cost increase as well.

• 4/4- Val Verde County commissioners expressed their collective opposition to new transmission lines and BESS facilities in the county, citing environmental concerns.

📢 Policy & Programs

Colorado

• HB1006

  • Allows school districts to lease a district property for solar for any term of years, rather than current term limits.

  • Introduced in House 1/8, passed House 2/4.

  • UPDATE- Passed Senate with amendments 4/4, sent back to House for approval.

Texas

• HB3278

  • Establishes a study by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on solar and wind’s environmental, economic, and infrastructure implications.

  • Introduced in House 3/20.

  • UPDATE- Hearing to be held 4/9 at 8:00am.

• SB1754

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

  • Introduced in Senate 3/13.

  • UPDATE- Hearing held 4/7. No decision reached.

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