Environment committee advances HB 5004 on renewable energy; rejects moratorium on battery storage

The Environment Committee voted to send House Bill 5004 to the floor on Friday, March 14, after several hours of debate about battery energy storage systems and other energy provisions. Representative John Michael Parker, chair of the committee, opened the session and presided over discussion and a series of roll-call votes.

The bill is a multipart energy and environment measure intended to protect environmental resources while supporting development of renewable energy and related jobs. Committee members debated substitute language and several floor amendments before advancing the bill.

Why it matters: HB 5004 touches on energy reliability, public-safety concerns tied to large battery installations and the state’s path for replacing fossil-fuel generation. Committee members said the bill is intended to balance climate goals, affordability and safety; opponents warned that…