Latest news with #ERCOT
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Texas lawmakers' negotiations over judicial pay raises go down to the wire as legislative session ends
Lawmakers at the Texas Capitol negotiated over a single bill Monday afternoon before adjourning sine die. The final measure, Senate Bill 293, increases starting annual salaries for state judges from $140,000 to $175,000. The House and Senate had disagreed over one key issue: pensions for state lawmakers, which are tied to judges' salaries. The House opposed a pension increase for legislators, while the Senate supported it. Under the compromise reached Monday, lawmakers' pensions will increase now, but starting in 2030, the Texas Ethics Commission — not lawmakers — will determine future pension adjustments. Getty Images Among the major bills passed this session: A $1 billion school voucher program allowing students to use tax dollars to attend private schools. $8.5 billion in new funding for public schools. $10 billion in additional property tax relief. A $1 billion biennial investment in water infrastructure to create new sources and repair leaking pipes, pending voter approval in November. Legislation allowing ERCOT, the state's electric grid operator, to shut off power to large users like data centers, provided they have backup power. Bills ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) considerations in school district hiring. Measures expanding parental and school board control over public school library content. Other legislation includes abolishing the Texas Lottery Commission and transferring oversight to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, banning cellphones for K-12 students in schools, and requiring Apple and Google to verify users' ages on their apps. Several bills failed to pass, including one that would have replaced the STAAR standardized test and another that would have required Dallas Area Rapid Transit to return 25% of collected sales tax revenue to member cities. "This has been a pretty rough session. I think Democrats are going to come back invigorated. We're going to go into this next election cycle with fire in our eyes, and I think we want the public to come join us. We now hear the cries of the public," said state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "The things that I and my voters will consider wins are probably not the things that Rep. Wu and his constituents might view as wins. But when I go back home and we have over $44 million in new dollars coming to our public schools, that's a win," said state Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, vice chair of the House GOP Caucus. Watch "Eye on Politics" at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on CBS News Texas, on air and streaming. Follow Jack on X: @cbs11jack
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Balanced Rock Power Accelerates a Sustainable Future with Landmark Project Wins
MOAB, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balanced Rock Power (BRP), a leader in solar and energy storage development dedicated to delivering clean energy across America, is proud to announce significant progress and momentum in its renewable energy projects. A key highlight is BRP's development and sale of the Two Brothers Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking the sale of BRP's third BESS project sited in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Alongside the success of the 150MW Two Brothers project, BRP has continued to demonstrate project development excellence with the additional sales of 2,625 MW of Solar and BESS projects located in Arizona, California and Texas in 2024 and 2025. 'Our recent project sale closings underscore our proven expertise in large-scale solar and energy storage solutions, positioning us at the forefront of the transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy,' said John Knight, CEO of Balanced Rock Power. 'With a dedicated team and innovative strategies, we're committed to expanding our portfolio and accelerating the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.' BRP's ERCOT investment thesis focuses on targeted load pockets within Houston and South zones, known for persistent congestion and volatility, alongside rising load demands. Beginning in Q1 2022, BRP's dedicated development teams systematically screened hundreds of substations throughout South Texas to identify high-potential nodes and land parcels, setting the foundation for successful project siting. Situated along the Texas Gulf Coast — an area characterized by chronic transmission challenges — Two Brothers was strategically located in a region where traditional fixes fall short in alleviating congestion, thereby safeguarding long-term revenue streams. Despite an interconnection queue saturated with ERCOT BESS projects, Two Brothers garnered investor interest due to its thoughtful siting, long-term economic advantages, and a clear path to project completion — supported by an executed interconnection agreement and long-lead equipment procurement. The project achieved critical milestones, including procurement of HV breakers and GSUs, ensuring it can meet the COD outlined under its signed SGIA. Sold to a private equity-backed storage IPP in Q2 2025, the project underscores BRP's ability to efficiently develop and execute large-scale energy storage solutions. Balanced Rock Power remains committed to expanding its portfolio of clean energy assets, leveraging its development expertise, strategic siting, and innovative transaction strategies to drive sustainable growth and energy transition. To learn more about Balanced Rock Power, visit Balanced Rock Power is committed to driving the business of clean energy and accelerating a sustainable future. BRP's development activities prioritize large utility-scale solar and battery energy storage assets through greenfield development and accretive acquisitions. Founded by a seasoned team with over 50 years of experience in renewable energy development, BRP develops, invests in, and sells clean energy projects throughout North America.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Balanced Rock Power Accelerates a Sustainable Future with Landmark Project Wins
Leading renewable energy developer secures five major deals, exemplifying expertise in large-scale energy storage solutions and building a sustainable future MOAB, Utah, June 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balanced Rock Power (BRP), a leader in solar and energy storage development dedicated to delivering clean energy across America, is proud to announce significant progress and momentum in its renewable energy projects. A key highlight is BRP's development and sale of the Two Brothers Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, marking the sale of BRP's third BESS project sited in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Alongside the success of the 150MW Two Brothers project, BRP has continued to demonstrate project development excellence with the additional sales of 2,625 MW of Solar and BESS projects located in Arizona, California and Texas in 2024 and 2025. "Our recent project sale closings underscore our proven expertise in large-scale solar and energy storage solutions, positioning us at the forefront of the transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy," said John Knight, CEO of Balanced Rock Power. "With a dedicated team and innovative strategies, we're committed to expanding our portfolio and accelerating the shift toward a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape." BRP's ERCOT investment thesis focuses on targeted load pockets within Houston and South zones, known for persistent congestion and volatility, alongside rising load demands. Beginning in Q1 2022, BRP's dedicated development teams systematically screened hundreds of substations throughout South Texas to identify high-potential nodes and land parcels, setting the foundation for successful project siting. Situated along the Texas Gulf Coast — an area characterized by chronic transmission challenges — Two Brothers was strategically located in a region where traditional fixes fall short in alleviating congestion, thereby safeguarding long-term revenue streams. Despite an interconnection queue saturated with ERCOT BESS projects, Two Brothers garnered investor interest due to its thoughtful siting, long-term economic advantages, and a clear path to project completion — supported by an executed interconnection agreement and long-lead equipment procurement. The project achieved critical milestones, including procurement of HV breakers and GSUs, ensuring it can meet the COD outlined under its signed SGIA. Sold to a private equity-backed storage IPP in Q2 2025, the project underscores BRP's ability to efficiently develop and execute large-scale energy storage solutions. Balanced Rock Power remains committed to expanding its portfolio of clean energy assets, leveraging its development expertise, strategic siting, and innovative transaction strategies to drive sustainable growth and energy transition. To learn more about Balanced Rock Power, visit About Balanced Rock Power Balanced Rock Power is committed to driving the business of clean energy and accelerating a sustainable future. BRP's development activities prioritize large utility-scale solar and battery energy storage assets through greenfield development and accretive acquisitions. Founded by a seasoned team with over 50 years of experience in renewable energy development, BRP develops, invests in, and sells clean energy projects throughout North America. View source version on Contacts info@
E&E News
2 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
Texas lawmakers OK bill to manage surging electricity demand
A Texas bill aimed at helping plan for data centers and other new large electricity users and ensuring the reliability of the state's main power grid will go to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. S.B. 6, passed by Texas lawmakers last week, is among a number of proposals in state capitols nationwide made in response to a surge of data centers, manufacturing and cryptocurrency mines that are putting pressure on the grid. Nationally, electricity demand is projected to jump 25 percent by the end of the decade from 2023 levels according to a recent report from consultants ICF. In the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the power grid for most of the state, that growth rate could be twice that, according to regulators. Advertisement The Texas bill, proposed by state Sen. Phil King (R) and identified by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) as a legislative priority for the session that wraps up Monday, was pitched as a way to balance economic growth and grid reliability.
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
ERCOT given more oversight authority under state bill
A newly passed bill would give the state's power grid operator the authority to shut off electricity to industrial users in an emergency. Why it matters: Texas has set new records for peak energy demands two of the past three summers. The state's electricity needs are increasing because of extreme heat and cold, population growth and the booming data center industry. The latest: Senate Bill 6 was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk Friday. The measure gives the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state's power grid operator, more oversight of large consumers and their transactions with power generators. The big picture: U.S. electricity demand is projected to rise by 25% by 2030 compared to power needs in 2023. The surge of electricity usage could increase retail rates by 15% to 40%, per a recent report by consulting firm ICF. Threat level: ERCOT predicts the state's summer peak energy demand to nearly double by 2031. Demand could reach as high as 144,522 megawatts in a single day in 2031, per the projections. The grid operator also predicts this summer will set a new peak demand record. Stunning stat: Energy demand this February set a new all-time winter record. Peak demand on Feb. 20 reached 80,525 megawatts. Aug. 10, 2023 holds the all-time summer record with a peak energy demand of 85,508 megawatts. Zoom in: Under the law, ERCOT would have the authority to shut off or curb usage during emergencies.
