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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study and report on transitioning to underground |
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power lines. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission |
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of Texas. |
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(2) "Study area" means areas of this state that |
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experienced more than one power outage caused by a failure of |
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overhead power lines during extreme weather events between January |
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1, 2018, and September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that: |
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(1) underground power lines are more resistant than |
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overhead power lines to extreme weather conditions and reduce the |
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number of weather-related power outages; and |
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(2) the cost of burying power lines is significant and |
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requires further analysis. |
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SECTION 3. STUDY. Using existing funds for research and |
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development, the commission, in consultation with the Texas |
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Division of Emergency Management, shall identify study areas and |
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evaluate for those areas: |
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(1) the cost of burying existing overhead power lines; |
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(2) the cost of maintaining and repairing underground |
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power lines; |
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(3) potential cost savings associated with reduced |
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power outages; |
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(4) the effect of burying power lines on the |
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environment, such as land use and water quality; and |
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(5) the effect of burying power lines on public safety |
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and emergency response. |
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SECTION 4. REPORT. The commission shall submit a report of |
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the results of the study and any recommendations to the governor, |
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lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives |
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not later than December 31, 2024. |
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SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 31, |
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2025. |
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SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2023. |