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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the winter weather emergency preparedness of facilities |
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for providing electric service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Natural Resources |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 86.044 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 86.044. WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. The |
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commission by rule shall require an operator of a gas well to |
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implement measures to prepare the well to operate during a weather |
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emergency. |
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SECTION 2. 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. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. The |
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commission by rule shall require each provider of generation in the |
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ERCOT power region to: |
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(1) ensure that adequate maintenance and inspection of |
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freeze protection elements is conducted on a timely and repetitive |
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basis; |
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(2) inspect and maintain generating unit heat tracing |
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equipment; |
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(3) inspect and maintain generating unit thermal |
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insulation; |
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(4) make a plan to erect adequate windbreaks and |
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enclosures, where needed; |
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(5) develop and annually conduct winter-specific and |
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plant-specific operator awareness and maintenance training; |
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(6) ensure that winterization supplies and equipment |
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are in place before the winter season; |
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(7) ensure that adequate staffing is in place for cold |
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weather events; |
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(8) take preventative action in anticipation of cold |
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weather events in a timely manner; |
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(9) install insulation and heated pipes as necessary; |
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(10) use crushers to break up frozen coal; |
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(11) ensure that equipment can withstand ambient |
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temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days; and |
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(12) heat any wind turbines and ensure that the |
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turbines can withstand temperatures of -22 degrees Fahrenheit for |
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at least two days. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.074 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.074. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. The |
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commission by rule shall require each electric cooperative, |
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municipally owned utility, and transmission and distribution |
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utility providing transmission or distribution service in the ERCOT |
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power region to: |
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(1) ensure that transmission facilities are capable of |
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performing during cold weather conditions; |
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(2) ensure that communications responsibility is |
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placed on more than one system operator or on several key personnel |
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during an emergency; |
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(3) consider using persons who are not otherwise |
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responsible for emergency operations for communications during an |
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emergency or likely emergency; |
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(4) conduct critical load review for gas production |
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and transmission facilities and determine the level of protection |
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such facilities should be accorded in the event of system stress or |
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load shedding; |
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(5) train operators in proper load shedding procedures |
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and conduct periodic drills to maintain load shedding skills; |
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(6) install insulation and heated pipes as necessary; |
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and |
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(7) ensure that equipment can withstand ambient |
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temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 39.159 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 39.159. INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION. An |
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independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the |
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ERCOT power region shall: |
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(1) communicate with transmission and distribution |
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utilities, municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives |
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about deteriorating weather conditions in a timely manner; and |
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(2) provide transmission and distribution utilities, |
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municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives with access |
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to information about loads on the systems of the utilities and |
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cooperatives that could be curtailed by the organization to provide |
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operating reserves or as emergency interruptible load service. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |