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Our region is officially in the dog days of summer, with extreme temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in both Oklahoma and Texas. In Texas, record breaking demand was reached in back-to-back days last week (July 21st and 22nd), establishing a new peak demand record of 91.3 GW. The previous record was 85.5 GW. The Texas grid held strong, receiving upwards of 40% of fuel mixture from renewables.

Additionally, battery storage provided almost 12 GW of power during the shoulder hours on the 22nd. While the grid delivered power to all Texans, the increase in peak demand is a glaring reminder of the importance of resources like energy efficiency, which could deliver tens of thousands of MWs to the grid during peak hours, all while keeping prices low for consumers.

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SPEER 91st Texas Legislative Priorities

We are now roughly five months away from the 91st Legislative Session in Texas. The SPEER Policy Program has worked with our staff, board members, SPEER members, and external stakeholders to develop our legislative priorities for the upcoming session. We anticipate plenty of focus to be on energy affordability, with a specific look into data center development and energy/water consumption.

SPEER has organized our priorities into three sections:

• Affordability
• Flexibility
• Grid Reliability/Resilience

If you would like to discuss our priorities, opportunities for collaboration, or have questions on legislation, please reach out to us.

Head here to dive into our full list of priorities.

Two US DOE Public Comment Periods (ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY)

RFI on updating methodology for assessing affordability and cost-effectiveness of building energy codes – August 3rd Deadline:

The US Department of Energy is seeking to update and improve on the methodology for assessing affordability and cost-effectiveness of building energy codes. The DOE is seeking input on its methodology for assessing consumer impacts associated with residential and commercial building energy codes, toward the objective of ensuring transparency in building energy code evaluations. As directed by statute, DOE conducts technical analysis to quantify consumer cost increases associated with building energy codes, as well as the related savings. DOE requests feedback on its analysis methodology, data sources, and assumptions. In addition, DOE welcomes a critical examination of how to broadly reduce the cost of new construction and reduce regulatory burden to improve housing affordability and consumer choice.

SPEER has joined with the other Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations around the country to submit comments in support of strong energy codes as they provide long-term cost reductions for homeowners. 

The public comment period deadline for the request for information is on August 3rd. If you would like to submit comments, please go to the Federal Register Page here.

Public Comment on policies for considering new or revised energy conservation standards and test procedures – August 6th Deadline: 

DOE is seeking comments and information from interested parties to assist in identifying potential modifications to its procedures, interpretations, and policies for considering new or revised energy conservation standards and test procedures for consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment ( i.e., the “Process Rule”). DOE is initiating this effort to ensure consistency with recently issued Executive Orders, while continuing to satisfy the Department's statutory obligations in the development of appliance and equipment standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

For more information, or to submit public comments, please see the rulemaking docket here.

TDHCA Qualified Allocation Plan Workgroup

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has published the staff draft for informal public input of the 2027 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP describes how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits get awarded for the next program year. The standards set in the QAP guide the selection of projects that will provide affordable housing for the state. Included in the staff draft is language that would not allow inefficient electric resistance heating to be the primary source for heating and opt for new construction projects to use more efficient heat pumps in their designs. This would significantly help lower-income Texans reduce energy costs, as well as their energy burden, when costs are highest. 

SPEER is planning to submit comments to TDHCA staff by the comment deadline of August 14th. If you are interested in learning more or submitting comments of your own, please review the TDHCA QAP page here.

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