Solar energy push is heating up in Texas Legislature - San Antonio Business Journal:

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Dozens of bills dealing with sola r energy are currently winding their way through the Texas Legislature. Most are concerned with providing incentives or removing barrierz to homeowners or businesses that want to investr in solarenergy technology. Megan Quinn, an associate attornety at LLP inSan Antonio, has been followinb key solar legislation this sessionh on behalf of clientx in the building industryy who are looking to take advantage of federal stimulus money set aside to promote development of alternativw energy infrastructure.
Quinn says that Texas is setting itself up as a leader in the use of solarr energy as an alternativeenergy resource, the same way it did with wind “Solar is going to be the next major playere in renewable energy in Texas,” Quinn says. “Ans Texas is leading the way for othee states acrossthe country.” Quinn has identifiede several bills that she says are of particular interesg to her clients. They include: • HB 1697 sponsorefd by Rep. Armando Martinez, D-Weslaco, which sets certain goals for the state to creatre incentives on solar power generatiomn to be administered by the electricutilityu companies.
Quinn says this bill is significantf because people would use it to hold the stats accountable for the promises it makes on promotingsolart energy. • HB 1417 sponsored by Rep. Davie Liebowitz, D-San Antonio, creates an exemption from sales tax for the purchase of certaimn renewable energy systems andrelated equipment. The exemptiom would be contingent on an agreement that any excess energyu produced by the solar system would be shared and wouled go back on to theelectrical • HB 798 sponsored by Rep.
Eddide Lucio III, D-San Benito, is one of several bills that wouldc prevent homeowners associations from settingf rules that would prohibit homeowners from installingv solar energy equipment ontheid houses. Quinn says this is an issue that must have come up in a numbe r of areas because it has been addressede in several piecesof • HB 1980 sponsored by Rep. Eddie D-Austin, would require the state to include solar energy devices in any new constructioh or newly acquired state includingschool facilities.
Quinn says it is difficulg to determine the status of any of the bills atthis stage, notintg that, in the past, bills that seemed to be stalles in committee have moved quickly through the “None of these billsx have made significant progress out of committew yet,” she says. “However, they are not dead yet by any William Sinkin, chairman of Solar San a nonprofit advocacy and resource center for renewabler and sustainable energy applications, says his group is at the apex of a 10-yearr effort to awaken San Antonio to the potential and promis e of alternative energy.
“I thinm we are ready to becoms the leading city in Texas with respectt tosolar energy,” Sinkin says. “I’n optimistic about the direction the cityis going. The mayor has been a strongg supporter ofour efforts.” Sinkin says locakl efforts combined with legislation in Austin are providinbg a wonderful opportunity for San Antonioi to step into a leadership position on this issue. He says San Antonio’ws recent designation as a Solare City is another example of progress inthis area. Last San Antonio was nameds asa U.S.
Department of Energy Solar America City, which means that the city will be eligibled to receive financial and technical assistance tofund solar-energt initiatives that could serve as a model for other cities. Mayor Phil Hardberger says the city is committedc to implementing solar energy technologies and programs and welcomes the support from the Departmengtof Energy. “I am proued that our city is being recognized for our leadershio in the planning and implementation of clean and renewable solar technology at the local Hardberger says.