Averting an Energy Crisis, Fighting Wildfires, Getting AI Out of Elections Included in Public Citizen’s Texas Legislative To-Do List

November 12, 2024

Averting an Energy Crisis, Fighting Wildfires, Getting AI Out of Elections Included in Public Citizen's Texas Legislative To-Do List

Bill Filing Opens Today for Upcoming 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature

AUSTIN, Texas - Preventing an energy crisis by reducing statewide demand, limitations against artificial intelligence in political ads, and fighting wildfires are among the legislative priorities Public Citizen announced today at the start of bill filing for the next regular session of the Texas Legislature beginning in January.

Public Citizen will ask lawmakers to invest in energy efficiency while reining in the crypto industry's energy-hogging, strengthen the Texas Ethics Commission's enforcement powers and require oil field safeguards to prevent wildfires.

"With a divisive election in the rearview, lawmakers now turn to the difficult task of governing," Adrian Shelley, Texas director of Public Citizen, said. "The state faces numerous challenges that impact all Texans regardless of whom they voted for. Lawmakers have much to do in a relatively short period that should end with meaningful legislation that improves lives and keeps people safe on its way to the governor's desk."

Public Citizen's requests for Texas lawmakers include:

• An energy efficiency target of 1% energy savings each year, investments in battery storage and microgrids, and reining in the crypto mining industry's energy usage.
• Strengthening the enforcement powers of the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC), which is undergoing Sunset Review. Expanding the contributions moratorium to include special sessions and periods when an impeachment is pending should also be part of TEC Sunset legislation. Additionally, an existing law banning the use of artificial intelligence in videos to influence an election should be expanded by lawmakers to include audio and still images.
• Providing the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission with the tools to prevent wildfires linked to oil operations. A legislative report on February's Panhandle Wildfires found that downed power lines at oil and gas facilities sparked the largest wildfires in state history.

Reducing the wasteful practice of methane flaring and protecting air quality from the cement and concrete industries are also part of Public Citizen's legislative agenda.

The Texas Legislature's work starts on Jan. 14 and ends in early June.