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Commissioners say they will press state regulators over battery energy storage; subregional board meets Oct. 21
Summary
Kerr County commissioners reported ongoing work with the Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission and said they plan to press the Public Utility Commission and state lawmakers about battery energy storage incentives and regulation.
A Kerr County liaison update on Sept. 22 described ongoing subregional coordination about energy planning and resistance to battery energy storage (BES) developments.
The update said the Hill Country Energy Subregional Planning Commission will meet Oct. 21 in the Kendall County commissioners courtroom. The speaker — a county liaison to the subregional group — told the court that Representative West Verdel and Representative Mooney have been engaged on the issue; Rep. Mooney authored bills in the last session targeting BES incentives, though none advanced out of committee, the update said.
The liaison said a legislative strategy is under consideration for the next Texas Legislature, including proposals to tax BES developers at a rate equivalent to federal subsidies to reduce the financial incentive for some projects. The liaison described federal tax subsidies as the main driver for rapid BES and renewable development and said state-level action or federal subsidy changes will be required to alter development pressure.
Court members and the liaison said they will continue to seek meetings with the Public Utility Commission (PUCT) and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to convey local concerns. Attendees discussed coordinating with state lawmakers and continuing advocacy through the planning commission.
The update was informational; no court action was recorded on Sept. 22. Commissioners said they will continue to monitor PUCT and other state-level responses and will attend upcoming subregional meetings.
