Texas Special Session Begins

Policy Edition

As the summer warms up, so does our energy consumption and electric bills. Over the next few weeks temperatures are expected to remain high. In Texas, we have begun hitting our season high peaks, and SPP has issued a resource advisory on July 24th. While the grid has remained resilient, energy efficiency continues to be the best tool for reducing consumption and lowering costs for residential and commercial energy bills.

In this newsletter:

Texas Special Session Begins
Local Policy Actions
2025 Industry + Policy Workshop: Early Bird Registration Closes in Two Days!
Upcoming Events and Webinars
What We’re Reading/Hearing
SPEER Resources

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Texas Special Session Begins

Governor Abbott called for a special session that began on July 21st. The special session will be a maximum of 30 days long, addressing a multitude of policy priorities including redistricting congressional maps, THC regulation, property tax relief, and extreme weather preparedness following the catastrophic flooding central Texas endured recently. The full agenda can be found here.

SPEER staff will be monitoring legislative actions in the special session and any subsequent special sessions if called. For our full recap of the regular session highlights see our recap page here.

Local Policy Updates

Austin, TX: On July 24th, Austin City Council authorized negotiation and execution of a battery tolling agreement with Balcones Ridge Resiliency, LLC, a Jupiter Power subsidiary, for up to 100 megawatts of electricity from a utility-scale battery facility. Estimated amount not to exceed $14,400,000 per year, for a term up to 20 years, for a total estimated amount not to exceed $288,000,000. Funding: $14,400,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating budget.

San Antonio, TX: The City of San Antonio is continuing their Ready for Hot Weather Events on July 24th, August 16th, and August 28th to work with communities to increase safety during extreme heat days. These sessions are being held at various resiliency hubs around the city. For more information, see their webpage here.

If you are aware of upcoming policy discussions or actions in your area and would like to share them in this newsletter, please send information to noaks@eepartnership.org.

SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop 2025: Early Bird Registration Rates Close Thursday!

SPEER's Industry + Policy Workshop has something for everyone! Take a look at attendance breakdown by industry from last year's sold-out event.

Early Bird registration pricing for SPEER’s 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop is almost finished! Starting this Friday (8/1), registration rates will go up by 50%.

Join us in Austin September 18-19 for a high-voltage gathering of energy experts, industry leaders, and innovators shaping the future of energy efficiency across Texas and the south-central region.

This year’s conference agenda dives into the most pressing topics facing our industry today: from cutting-edge technologies to people-centered strategies. Save your spot and join us as we explore how we can all do more with less energy and less waste. Let’s power the future together.

We're aware that budgets can be tight and we’re committed to keeping costs low. So what are you waiting for?

Take advantage of our discounted hotel block and register today!

Upcoming Events + Webinars

Weatherization Focus Group Discussion (Hosted by SPEER & HARC)

Weatherization in Focus: Focus Group on Community, Coordination, and Impact

Join us for a Weatherization Focus Group event where we will discuss enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in our communities. We invite stakeholders from Texas and Oklahoma to share their insights and experiences regarding weatherization practices. SPEER and HARC are committed to fostering collaboration and innovation among participants. Participate to gain valuable knowledge and foster partnerships as we advance weatherization efforts together!

Stakeholders include:

Weatherization Implementers
Utilities
Weatherization Program Managers

When: August 21 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

SPEER Webinar: High Performance Heat Pump Solutions with LG: Comfort, Efficiency, and Compliance

Presented by: Kevin DeMaster, LG Air Conditioning Technologies

Join us for a deep dive into LG’s innovative heat pump technologies for air conditioning, space heating, and water heating. As energy codes become more stringent and the push for electrification grows, HVAC systems must evolve to meet higher performance and efficiency standards. LG Air Conditioning Technologies is rising to the challenge with industry-leading solutions that combine comfort, energy savings, and code compliance.

In this live webinar, we’ll explore:

What sets LG’s HVAC and heat pump products apart from other manufacturers
How their solutions align with IECC, ENERGY STAR, and electrification goals
Strategies to integrate LG technologies in new and retrofit residential and commercial projects

3 Lessons Learned:

Not All Heat Pumps Are Created Equal: Learn how LG’s inverter-driven, variable capacity technologies optimize efficiency and comfort in a range of climates—far beyond conventional systems.
Integrated Design Can Simplify Compliance: Discover how LG’s multi-functional products (like heat pump water heaters and ducted/ductless hybrid systems) help designers meet multiple code requirements in one solution.
High-Performance HVAC is Key to Electrification: Understand the role LG’s systems play in electrifying buildings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions—while still keeping utility bills low.

When: August 26 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am

SPEER Webinar: 2025 Texas 89th Legislature Wrap-Up – Grid Reliability, Energy Efficiency, & Legislative Outlook

The 89th Texas Legislative Session addressed some of the most pressing energy challenges facing the state—from grid reliability to energy affordability. This webinar, presented by SPEER, offers a comprehensive review of key legislation and policy trends impacting Texas’ electric grid, energy efficiency programs, and distributed energy resources (DERs).

Attendees will gain insight into major bills such as SB 6, the continued implementation of the Texas Energy Fund, and legislative efforts related to renewables, workforce development, and building codes. Learn how the session’s outcomes may shape regulatory priorities, customer costs, and energy strategies ahead of the 90th Legislature.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

Identify and analyze the most impactful energy-related legislation from the 89th Texas Legislature, including SB 6 and bills affecting renewables and transmission planning.
Evaluate the implications of legislative actions on demand-side resources, energy efficiency standards, and residential energy policy in Texas.
Understand emerging trends in energy workforce development, building code modernization, and how they intersect with statewide goals for grid resilience and consumer affordability.