FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2025

Contact:
Cara Gustafson
[email protected]

Senator Kolkhorst Files Senate Bill 819 to Protect Landowners and Natural Resources 
Texas must ensure that wind and solar energy benefits all Texans without sacrificing cherished natural spaces. 

AUSTIN, TX – Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has filed Senate Bill 819 to streamline processes to protect landowners, wildlife, land, and the state’s natural resources during the development of renewable energy infrastructure. As wind and solar energy have expanded their footprint, landowners and interested parties have expressed concerns about the placement and lack of regulations associated with these projects.

“As a lifelong wildlife conservationist, I am proud to file Senate Bill 819, along with nine of my fellow Senators from across the state,” said Senator Kolkhorst. “This bipartisan legislation offers a common-sense approach to the encroachment of wind and solar facilities being scattered across our great state with no consideration or safeguards for landowners. I’ve heard from many constituents with valid concerns, and this is why I have filed SB 819, a refile of SB 624 from last session. I look forward to collaborating with the Texas House to establish a reasonable approach to conservation that aligns wind and solar installations with the financial and environmental standards already in place for oil and gas operations.”

“It is essential to balance wind and solar energy growth with the protection of Texas’ fragile ecosystems and biodiversity,” said Cara Gustafson, Stewards of Texas spokesperson. “SB 819 will ensure responsible siting of wind and solar projects to minimize environmental damage while safeguarding landowner rights and natural resources. As the nation’s leader in wind energy and a top state for solar, Texas must prioritize sustainable development that considers, rather than compromises, our landscapes and wildlife. Thanks to Senator Kolkhorst’s leadership, this bipartisan legislation ensures a thoughtful approach to energy integration and conservation.”

SB 819 key provisions:
-The bill only applies to utility-scale facilities greater than 10 megawatts.
-The bill only applies to new generation that is interconnected on or after the effective date of the act.
-Standard public notice and permitting provisions similar to that of transmission lines.
-A renewable impact statement in coordination with Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
-Incorporates input from TPWD to improve environmental impact review to ensure that facilities can coexist with their natural environment.
-Incorporates best practices of TPWD and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension so that facilities can operate in line with their natural environment.
-Reporting requirements for size and location of projects and any substantive changes made to the project.
-An annual impact fee including funding for a state cleanup fund.
-A decommissioning plan in compliance with Chapter 301 and 302, Utilities Code. Strengthens Chapter 301 and Chapter 302 decommissioning standards to ensure financial assurance in the form of bonds, instead of lines of credit that can change on a daily basis.
-Based on input from county judges and county commissioners, eliminates tax abatements for wind and solar generation under Chapter 312.

SB 819 permitting requirements include:
-Public Internet Website.
-Setbacks, unless waived by the adjacent property owner, for solar installations of 200 feet from a private residence and 100 feet from the property line, and for wind installations 3,000 feet from the property line.

For more information, visit stewardsoftexas.org or contact Cara Gustafson at the information above.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024

Contact:
Cara Gustafson
[email protected]

Stewards of Texas Announces Initial Advisory Board Members 

AUSTIN, TX – Today, Stewards of Texas announced its initial Advisory Board members.

“We are excited to work with John Cyrier, John Shepperd, Randy Nunns, and Jen Mock as we craft and advocate for sound policy at the Legislature to balance the state’s renewable energy goals with the conservation of our natural resources and cultural legacy,” said Cara Gustafson, spokesperson for Stewards of Texas. “Their input, unique insight, and extensive experience is invaluable to Stewards of Texas.”

John P. Cyrier
John Cyrier served in the Texas House of Representatives for House District 17 for four terms. This district included Lee, Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales and Karnes Counties. He previously chaired the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. Prior to his four terms representing the sprawling district east of Austin, John was appointed to and served as a Caldwell County Commissioner and County Judge Pro Tem. He is a 1995 graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Him and his wife, Rachelle, live on their ranch just outside of Lockhart. John is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist.

John Shepperd, Texas Foundation for Conservation
John D. Shepperd is a sixth generation Texan, born in Austin and raised in San Antonio. He graduated from University of Texas in Austin with a degree in American Studies. Although Shepperd learned to hunt and fish at an early age, it was during college when the writings of Edward Abbey, Henry David Thoreau, John McPhee, and Aldo Leopold shaped his appreciation for the natural world. After college, Shepperd worked as a Policy Analyst for the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee, then joined the Texas A&M University System as a Research Associate in the departments of Forest Science, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Agricultural Economics. He planted trees, worked in a laboratory, restored coastal habitat, modeled financial impacts of flood events, surveyed wetlands and saltwater marshes, built the first nursery in Texas dedicated to growing dune plants, and worked as a liaison between the Army Corp of Engineers, Texas A&M University Department of Agriculture Economics, and dozens of South Texas ranchers and farmers. John now serves as the Executive Director of the Texas Foundation for Conservation and the Texas Coalition for Conservation where he focuses on the political, educational, and grassroots outreach of conservation.  

Randy Nunns, Devils River Conservancy
A lifelong conservationist, Randy received his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University. After spending 40 years in the surgical device business, he is now retired. He served as President of the Devils Rivers Conservancy, a 501c3 committed to treasure, preserve, and protect the Devils River and the lands within its watershed for future generations. He now sits on the Board of Devils River Conservancy. 

Jen Mock, JMS Natural Resource Strategies
Jennifer M. Mock was born and raised in the Houston area, and every family vacation involved hunting, fishing, or both – which was the origin of her passion for fish and wildlife management. She graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, a focus on Range and Wildlife Management and a minor in biology, and a Master of Science degree in Range and Wildlife Management. During an undergraduate class on wildlife policy and administration, she found her passion for the laws that enable fish and wildlife conservation across Texas and the nation. She worked for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Washington, DC for 19 years. She has over 20 years of experience working to create conservation opportunities for private landowners and agricultural producers. She now serves as Principal of JMS Natural Resource Strategies and continues to focus on education, outreach, and advocacy on policy, laws, and programs that affect the conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

For more information, visit stewardsoftexas.org or contact Cara Gustafson at the information above.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2024

Contact:
Cara Gustafson
[email protected]

Bats face significant threats from wind turbine collisions and pressure changes caused by the fast-moving turbine blades.

AUSTIN, TX – As Texas continues to lead the nation in utility-scale wind energy production, Stewards of Texas is calling attention to the need for increased conservation measures. Texas has the largest bat colony in the world in San Antonio’s Bracken Cave Preserve with over 15 million bats. Other famous sites such as Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge and Fredericksburg Old Tunnel State Park draw tourists from across the world. 32 of the 47 bat species found in the United States call Texas home as well. 

“The loss of bats poses a substantial ecological risk in Texas, as they pollinate our plants, help control crop pests, and reduce the need for pesticides,” said spokesperson Cara Gustafson. “In Texas alone, bats saved farmers $1.4 billion by eating crop pests. Without intervention, population losses could impact bat populations for years to come. Bats are slow to reproduce, so population decline is difficult to recover from.”

Mexican free-tailed bats tend to live in the same areas that are good for wind energy, according to a 2024 study. In fact, a third of the more than 33,000 currently existing wind turbines within the southwestern U.S. occurred in highly suitable areas for Mexican free-tailed bats, primarily in west Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

According to Bat Conservation International, collisions with wind energy turbines are one of the leading causes of bat mortality in North America and Europe. Here in Texas, wind turbines kill about 200,000 bats each year. With so many new projects sprouting up rapidly, this number can increase further.

Currently, no policies exist to reduce bat deaths caused by wind turbines in Texas.

“With each new wind project, more bats face fatal risks, yet there are no established guidelines to address these impacts. Waiting for species to reach endangered status could mean irreversible losses. Texas should take proactive steps now by implementing state-led strategies to balance the state’s renewable energy goals with the conservation of our invaluable bat populations,” Gustafson concluded.

For more information, visit our website (stewardsoftexas.org) or contact Cara Gustafson at the information above. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2024

Contact:
Cara Gustafson
[email protected]

AUSTIN, TX – Each fall, as millions of birds embark on their long journey south, Texas’ Gulf Coast has long served as a vital sanctuary. However, over time, this sanctuary has been steadily eroded by human activities. Now, with the rapid expansion of wind energy projects, the situation has reached a critical inflection point, threatening to disrupt key migratory habitats and leaving bird populations more vulnerable than ever.

With 1 in 4 migratory birds in the United States passing through Texas during fall migration, and 98.5% of North American migratory bird species recorded here, our state is a crucial lifeline for these species. However, wind energy projects could devastate bird habitats, undermining both conservation efforts and the $1.8 billion in annual economic impact generated by Texas’ booming nature-based tourism.

“The rapid expansion of large-scale wind energy projects along the Gulf Coast is putting our migratory bird populations in grave danger,” said Stewards of Texas spokesperson Cara Gustafson. “These projects, if left unchecked, can destroy vital habitats and create obstacles that many birds simply cannot avoid. It’s not just an environmental issue—it’s a threat to Texas’ unique wildlife and economy.”

The federal government, through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), is leasing hundreds of square miles of Gulf waters outside of Texas ports for wind energy development. While California’s coastal ecosystems receive significant protections, the Texas Gulf Coast lacks comparable oversight. With federal attention focused elsewhere, the Texas Legislature must step up to protect the state’s unique ecosystems and migratory bird pathways. Texas deserves the same level of care and protection as other coastal states.

“Because of Texas’ unique location and role in supporting migratory birds, we must have accurate data on how wind projects impact the birds that use these flyways each year.” Gustafson continued. “To date, all of the studies we are aware of support our concerns that these wind projects significantly impact the migratory birds flying directly over the Gulf of Mexico before resting in Texas.”

Stewards of Texas, in collaboration with conservationists, is working to find common-sense solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of wind energy projects. These include preventing wind turbine placement near migratory stopover sites and establishing buffer zones around sensitive habitats and migratory paths. At the very least, the Legislature should provide guidance for the placement and operation of wind turbine developments along the lower Texas coast, where significant ecological risks exist.

Join Us in This Effort
We urge all Texans to come together in protecting our state’s natural legacy. Whether you’re a landowner, conservationist, or birdwatcher, your voice matters in the fight to preserve the delicate balance of our ecosystems and the migratory paths that span the Texas Gulf Coast. Based on the conversations we’ve been having with bird experts, conservationists, energy policy experts, and rural families, we plan to unveil thoughtful proposals ahead of the upcoming legislative session—proposals that Texans can rally behind to protect our land, our wildlife, and our communities

For more information, visit our website (stewardsoftexas.org) or contact Cara Gustafson at the information above. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2024

Contact:
Cara Gustafson
[email protected]
561-797-8267

RELEASE: Texas Communities Left Behind in ‘Green Rush’: Stewards of Texas Calls for Urgent Action as Wind and Solar Projects Explode Across the State

AUSTIN, TX – As wind and solar projects rapidly expand across Texas, a new coalition of landowners, conservationists, industry experts, and everyday Texans has come together to demand action. Stewards of Texas is sounding the alarm on the unchecked expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, warning that without immediate oversight and regulation, the state’s environmental legacy, rural communities, and cherished way of life—including Texas’s vital farmlands—are in jeopardy.

“For months, we’ve traveled the length and breadth of Texas, speaking with farmers, ranchers, birding experts, conservationists, and rural families,” said Cara Gustafson, spokesperson for Stewards of Texas. “One message has emerged loud and clear: Texans feel voiceless. These massive wind and solar projects are being fast-tracked in the name of progress, but there’s no blueprint, no guardrails, and no accountability. Our natural resources, farmland, and wildlife are being treated like afterthoughts in this ‘green rush.’”

Fueled by federal incentives under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, renewable energy development is exploding at a breakneck pace. But Stewards of Texas argues that this rapid expansion has ignored critical considerations: where these projects are placed, how they impact the environment, and whether local communities even have a say.

“Cities in Texas have zoning ordinances that protect them from utility-scale renewable energy projects being built in their backyards,” Gustafson continued. “Yet rural areas, including some of Texas’s most productive farmland, are being flooded with these developments, with no public input, no oversight, and no protections. While cities have a voice in shaping their future, rural communities are left without the same safeguards.”

Key Concerns Raised by Stewards of Texas:

• Landowner Rights: Wind and solar projects are being fast-tracked across rural Texas, threatening the livelihoods of over 250,000 private landowners who have worked these lands for generations. These landowners deserve a voice in decisions that could forever alter their property and way of life.
• Lack of Oversight: Unlike other major infrastructure projects, there is no state authority regulating where utility-scale renewable projects are placed. This has led to unchecked development in some of Texas’s most sensitive areas, including farmland and wildlife habitats.
• Loss of Productive Land: Texas has already lost millions of acres of working land. The rapid expansion of renewable projects threatens to take even more, putting the state’s agricultural future at risk just as its population is set to grow to over 40 million by 2050.
• Impact on Wildlife: Texas’s rich biodiversity, including critical bird migration routes and bat habitats, is at risk from poorly placed renewable projects. Once these habitats are disrupted, the damage is often irreversible.

Join Us in This Effort 
We are calling on Texans across the state to share their stories with us on our website. Whether you’re a landowner, conservationist, or concerned citizen, your voice matters. Based on the conversations we’ve been having with bird experts, conservationists, energy policy experts, and rural families, we plan to unveil thoughtful proposals ahead of the upcoming legislative session—proposals that Texans can rally behind to protect our land, our wildlife, and our communities.