Spark Alerts: May 17, 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

• 5/14- Adams County approved a special permit for Green Key Solar’s 27-acre Ursa Solar project, saying their “hands were tied” by a new state law limiting counties’ abilities to restrict solar.

• 5/13- Tazewell County is planning to form a subcommittee on renewable energy as it considers two 5-MW projects, Cincinnati CSG 1 and CSG 2.

Texas

• 5/15- The City of Austin is considering a resolution to place solar on schools and city/county buildings.

• 5/13- While Texas faces various senate bills that could hamper the state’s renewables industry, advocates say the state will easily meet spiking power demand thanks to renewables.

• 5/14- Solarcycle signed an agreement with RWE to recycle panels from a Pecos facility.

• 5/13- Mills County held public hearings to discuss the pros and cons of tax abatements for solar.

📢 Policy & Programs

Texas

• HB2338

  • Requires that decommissioning provisions be included in all wind and solar leases.

  • Introduced in House 3/20, passed House 4/25.

  • UPDATE- Passed Senate Commerce Committee 5/15, will move to full Senate vote.

• HB3229

  • Authorizes decommissioning requirements for solar projects; sets an administrative penalty for failure to decommission according to said rules.

  • Introduced in House 3/20, passed House 4/29.

  • UPDATE- Passed Senate Commerce Committee 5/15, will move to full Senate vote.

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