Relating to the use of geothermal energy as a dispatchable generation resource.
HB 3778 defines geothermal energy facilities as "dispatchable" under Texas law, meaning their power output can be controlled by human operators. This reclassification directly affects geothermal developers in the ERCOT grid region by making their facilities eligible for state financial incentives. The bill creates two key provisions: (1) loans for upgrading existing dispatchable facilities (minimum 100MW capacity increase) and (2) completion grants for new dispatchable facilities (minimum 100MW capacity), excluding electric storage facilities. These mechanisms aim to incentivize geothermal energy development as a reliable power source within Texas' energy grid.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 26, 2025
Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
May 7, 2025
MODERATE
HB 3778 was amended to explicitly recognize geothermal energy generation facilities and geothermal energy conservation wells as dispatchable resources eligible for state funding programs. The bill now allows loans for geothermal facilities with at least 10 megawatts of capacity and grants for geothermal facilities with at least 10 megawatts, while maintaining the 100 megawatt threshold for other dispatchable facilities. These changes expand eligibility for geothermal projects to receive financial support under Texas Utilities Code provisions.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from general dispatchable energy resources to specifically include geothermal energy generation facilities and geothermal energy conservation wells as eligible for funding programs.
ELIGIBILITY
Geothermal energy generation facilities and geothermal energy conservation wells are now explicitly defined as dispatchable resources eligible for state funding.
FISCAL
New provision allows loans to finance construction of geothermal facilities with at least 10 megawatts of capacity.
REQUIREMENT
Grant eligibility for geothermal facilities reduced from 100 megawatts to 10 megawatts threshold.
DEFINITION
Geothermal energy conservation wells are now included in the definition of dispatchable resources alongside geothermal generation facilities.
Floor votes · House May 7, 2025
How they voted
138–1
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 142
May 7, 2025
D
Democratic59
98% Yea
R
Republican83
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
30
Key actions
9
Committee
9
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
May 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
May 8, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 7, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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