WHEREAS, more than one thousand Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) plants are in production, in development, or in planning stages throughout Texas; and
WHEREAS, the BESS plants, due to their rapid expansion, have few accepted industry safety standards; and
WHEREAS, energy companies, including many foreign-owned companies, are targeting unincorporated rural counties with low populations; and
WHEREAS, many of these BESS plants are owned or operated by foreign entities, whose interests may not be aligned with those of Texas, that either purchase or lease personal property and pose a potential security risk; and
WHEREAS, the proximity of BESS plants to residential areas may cause significant safety concerns for residents and severe loss in property values; and
WHEREAS, many rural Texas counties are not equipped and are inadequately funded to be able to protect against these risks; and
WHEREAS, these lithium battery systems, with known volatile risks, contain software that is susceptible to cyberterrorist attacks from foreign adversaries that could result in the destruction of our power grid, explosions, runaway fires, exposure to toxic gases, environmental contamination, destruction of personal property, loss of property values, and loss of life; and
WHEREAS, State Representative Ellen Troxclair has filed HB 1343 and State Representative Wesley Virdell has filed HB 1378; both bills relate to the regulation of energy storage in Texas; and
WHEREAS, SB 819 is a bill relating to renewable energy generation facilities, authorizing fees, and amending Chapter 35, Utility Code; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Republican Party of Texas formally requests that the Texas Legislature pass HB 1343, HB 1378, and SB 819 to protect the citizens of our 254 Texas counties from the many dangers associated with Battery Energy Storage Systems.
