Environmental Regulation

SB 1758 creates a legal exemption for cement kilns and aggregate production facilities that began operations before nearby semiconductor wafer manufacturing plants. Specifically, it states that owners/operators of such pre-existing cement/aggregate facilities cannot be held liable for vibration damage to semiconductor facilities caused by their operations, provided the cement/aggregate facility started before the semiconductor plant. The bill also establishes a two-year pilot program in Grayson County (ending in 2027) to study vibration impacts, managed by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. This directly affects semiconductor manufacturers and cement/aggregate operators in areas where these facilities operate near each other. The law applies statewide but includes a limited pilot program for Grayson County.

SB 2078 prohibits depositing food waste subject to a commercial food waste composting ordinance (which requires businesses and multifamily properties to divert food waste from landfills) at composting facilities in counties without a municipality that has such an ordinance. It directly affects businesses with food permits and multifamily residential properties in counties with the ordinance, preventing them from sending that waste to composting facilities in counties without the ordinance. Violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty per incident, enforceable by the attorney general. The law excludes agricultural operations from its requirements.

SB 2321 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to temporarily waive enforcement of emissions limits for power plants and backup generators in the ERCOT grid region during declared grid reliability emergencies. When the ERCOT grid operator notifies TCEQ of a reliability issue, TCEQ must exempt these facilities from emissions rules for the duration of the event. Power plant operators must still document emissions exceedances, take reasonable steps to minimize pollution, and submit records to TCEQ. This bill directly affects power plant operators in Texas during grid stress events, providing a temporary exemption from emissions enforcement while requiring transparency and recordkeeping. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

SB 2037 creates a faster review process for environmental permits needed to build or modify liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals in Texas. It requires the state commission to respond to permit applications within 120 days after public comments end and establishes a new expedited review track. Applicants who choose this faster process must pay an additional fee, which covers administrative costs and is deposited into a special account. The bill also sets specific rules for resolving disputes about permit approvals, including requiring applicants to respond to concerns within 20 days if a hearing is requested. This law applies only to LNG terminal projects and took effect on September 1, 2025.

SB 763 amends Texas law to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to conduct a protectiveness review of standard permits for permanent concrete plants (performing wet, dry, or central mixing) at least once every six years. The review must assess air pollutant background concentrations, and if permits are updated, facilities get a reasonable transition period to comply. The bill also mandates that new permit applications include detailed plot plans showing property lines, emission points, benchmark locations, and setback compliance. This directly affects concrete plants operating specific batching methods, requiring updated application standards and regular permit reviews to ensure environmental protection.