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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the generation of electricity in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 35.0021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 35.0021. MAINTENANCE OF GENERATION ASSETS; CAPACITY |
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FORECAST REPORTS. The commission by rule shall require each |
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provider of generation in the ERCOT power region to: |
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(1) submit to the commission annual maintenance plans |
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showing how the provider will maintain generation assets; |
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(2) periodically inspect and maintain generation |
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assets to ensure that the assets can withstand extreme weather |
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conditions; and |
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(3) report to the independent organization certified |
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under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region annual forecasts of |
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the provider's generation capacity for a five-year period beginning |
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with the year following the year in which the forecast is submitted. |
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SECTION 2. Section 39.351, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) The commission shall require a person registered under |
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this section who operates a natural gas generation facility to |
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maintain at the site of the facility an amount of natural gas as a |
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reserve that will allow the facility to provide generation for at |
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least 48 hours that equals at least 10 percent of the net dependable |
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capability of the facility in the event of a natural gas shortage. |
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In this subsection, "net dependable capability" means the maximum |
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load in megawatts, net of station use, which a generating unit or |
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generating station can carry under specified conditions for a given |
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period of time, without exceeding approved limits of temperature |
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and stress. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2022, the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas shall submit a report to the |
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legislature on the potential costs and benefits of establishing an |
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emergency strategic electric energy reserve in this state. The |
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report must evaluate the feasibility of establishing a state |
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natural gas reserve and of constructing state-owned power plants. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |