88R13173 DIO-D
 
  By: Goodwin H.B. No. 3637
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the equitable distribution of involuntary load shedding
  events.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 38.076(c), Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  The commission by rule shall:
               (1)  categorize types of critical load that may be
  given the highest priority for power restoration; and
               (2)  require electric cooperatives, municipally owned
  utilities, and transmission and distribution utilities providing
  transmission service in the ERCOT power region to submit to each
  county and municipality in which the cooperative or utility
  provides service, the commission, and the independent organization
  certified under Section 39.151 for the region:
                     (A)  customers or circuits the cooperative or
  utility has designated as critical load; and
                     (B)  a plan for participating in load shedding in
  response to an involuntary load shedding event described by
  Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 38.078 and 38.079 to read as follows:
         Sec. 38.078.  UPGRADES TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. (a) Each
  transmission and distribution utility, municipally owned utility,
  and electric cooperative shall make upgrades to the distribution
  system operated by the utility or cooperative for the purpose of
  more evenly distributing involuntary load shedding.
         (b)  A transmission and distribution utility, municipally
  owned utility, or electric cooperative may recover reasonable and
  necessary costs incurred in making upgrades to the distribution
  system operated by the utility or cooperative.
         (c)  Each transmission and distribution utility, municipally
  owned utility, and electric cooperative shall make a plan for using
  advanced metering technology, software, equipment, and other
  upgrades to a distribution system to deploy involuntary load
  shedding.
         (d)  A plan developed under Subsection (c) may include use of
  both advanced metering technology and distribution feeders.
         Sec. 38.079.  CRITICAL LOAD DESIGNATION. (a)  The
  commission by rule shall require electric cooperatives,
  municipally owned utilities, and transmission and distribution
  utilities to designate the following types of facilities as
  critical load public safety customers, as defined by commission
  rule:
               (1)  long-term care facilities;
               (2)  food pantries;
               (3)  homeless shelters;
               (4)  temporary shelters identified by the county;
               (5)  critical telecommunications facilities;
               (6)  critical water or wastewater facilities, as
  defined by Section 418.0425, Government Code; and
               (7)  hospital facilities licensed under Chapter 241,
  Health and Safety Code.
         (b)  The commission shall allow a county to designate a
  critical load public safety customer, as defined by commission
  rule.
         SECTION 3.  (a) In this section, the term "transmission and
  distribution utility" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.002,
  Utilities Code.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2024, the Public Utility
  Commission of Texas shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the
  changes in law made by this Act.
         (c)  A transmission and distribution utility, municipally
  owned utility, or electric cooperative shall implement Section
  38.078, Utilities Code, as added by this Act, not later than
  September 1, 2027.
         (d)  The Public Utility Commission of Texas may extend the
  deadline under Subsection (c) of this section by not more than one
  year, on a case-by-case basis.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.