Relating to requirements for the approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas of certain coastal facilities for the provision of electric service.

HB 1897 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) to evaluate new coastal wind power facilities and their connecting transmission lines in the Gulf of Mexico (seaward of the coast within three marine leagues) before granting approval. It mandates the PUC to deny permits if the project could harm shipping routes, tourism, fishing, wildlife, migratory patterns, or coastal safety in disaster-prone areas, or if existing electricity service already meets demand. The bill applies only to pending PUC applications not finalized before its September 1, 2025, effective date. This directly affects developers planning offshore wind projects in the specified Gulf zone by adding environmental, economic, and safety review requirements to the approval process.