Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Hood County commissioners back state bills, adopt resolution opposing local battery storage projects after lengthy public comment
Summary
The Hood County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a resolution March 11 supporting state bills that would regulate battery energy storage systems and restrict tax abatements for renewable facilities, after hours of testimony from Pecan Plantation residents who said nearby solar and battery projects threaten safety, property values and wildlife.
Hood County's commissioners voted unanimously March 11 to adopt a resolution backing state legislation they say would address safety and transparency concerns tied to large-scale battery energy storage systems and renewable energy projects.
Commissioner Samuelson introduced the resolution, which cites risks the court described as thermal runaway, toxic-gas release and uncertain environmental impacts from battery energy storage systems (BESS) when paired with solar farms, cryptocurrency operations and data centers. The resolution asks the state Legislature to adopt statewide design guidelines, development regulations and placement restrictions and specifically urges support for House Bill 1378 and House Bill 1343.
Why it matters: Residents from Pecan Plantation and adjacent precincts told commissioners the proposed Rain…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
