Primary Department: Pollution Control Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Jesse Dickerman, Interim Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal is not 0% and is listed above
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Transmittal by Pollution Control Services of a grant application submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for grant funds in the amount of $3,000,000, with a required match of $3,000,000, for the FY26 New Technology Implementation Grant Program (NTIG).
end
Background and Discussion:
Harris County is developing the Affordable Community Energy (ACE) program, a portfolio of County-owned community solar and battery storage projects. The planned seven sites in Harris County will provide at least a combined 40 MW of solar capacity and 15 MWh of battery storage. Development began at the first site in June 2026, with construction across the portfolio planned through 2030. The assets are expected to operate for at least 25 years. Harris County plans to partner with a retail electric provider (REP) to purchase electricity and offer a discounted power plan to up to 10,000 eligible County households.
The TCEQ NTIG provides funding to assist in implementing new technologies, such as battery storage, that reduce emissions of regulated pollutants. Funds will be used to cover a portion of battery storage costs for the ACE Program. Cost share will come from funds authorized by the Commissioners Court on 3/19/2026 for development of ACE assets.
Expected Impact:
Reduce GHG emissions and emissions of regulated air pollutants (e.g., PM2.5, NOx, SO2) by displacing grid electricity with electricity generated by ACE community solar and battery storage projects. Improve grid reliability by storing solar-generated electricity with batteries and discharging during hours of peak demand. Provide the potential of micro-gridding, which could provide backup power to communities located near ACE solar and battery projects. Support the ACE program, which aims to deliver 20% bill savings to 10,000 income-qualifying households across Harris County.
Alternative Options:
To not apply for this grant and miss the opportunity to leverage outside funding to cover a portion of battery storage costs for the ACE program.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 5. Minimize the impact of climate change and disasters.
County Strategic Plan Objective: Q: Encourage residents, businesses, and public entities to significantly reduce their environmental footprint for the health of our region.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Q2: Increase energy resilience of Harris County through deployment of affordable, reliable community solar.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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03/19/2026 |
409 |
FIM request for a total authorization of $88,290,000. |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
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$3,000,000 |
$3,000,000.00 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 10/15/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Carlos Hernandez, Sustainability Manager, PCS; Kyle Gabb, Asset Development Manager, PCS; Jesse Dickerman, Interim Executive Director, PCS
Attachments (if applicable): Grant Documents