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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a work group to study the benefits of |
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coal-to-nuclear electric generating facility conversion. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "work group" means the |
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coal-to-nuclear conversion work group established under Section 2 |
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of this Act. |
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SECTION 2. WORK GROUP FORMATION AND ADMINISTRATION. (a) |
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The coal-to-nuclear conversion work group is established and |
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composed of 16 members with: |
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(1) one member of the senate appointed by the |
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lieutenant governor; |
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(2) one member of the house of representatives |
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appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; |
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(3) two members representing institutions of higher |
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education appointed by the governor; |
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(4) one ex officio member representing the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas appointed by the governor; |
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(5) one ex officio member representing the independent |
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organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for |
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the ERCOT power region appointed by the governor; and |
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(6) 10 members of the public who have knowledge and |
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experience in nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, energy policy, |
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or economic analysis, and who are appointed as follows: |
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(A) five members appointed by the speaker of the |
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house of representatives; and |
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(B) five members appointed by the lieutenant |
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governor. |
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(b) The governor shall designate a member of the work group |
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appointed under Subsection (a)(3) of this section to serve as chair |
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of the work group. The members of the work group appointed under |
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Subsections (a)(1) and (2) of this section shall serve as co-vice |
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chairs of the work group. |
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(c) The work group shall meet at the call of its chair. |
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(d) The work group may form committees for the efficient |
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operation of the work group, at the discretion of the chair of the |
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work group. The chair of the work group shall appoint the presiding |
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officer of each committee. The presiding officer of a committee may |
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invite other members of the work group to serve on the committee. A |
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committee may consult with subject matter experts. |
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(e) The work group may adopt rules, procedures, and policies |
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as necessary or convenient to administer this Act and fulfill the |
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responsibilities of the work group. |
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(f) A member of the work group may not receive compensation |
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for serving on the work group but is entitled to reimbursement for |
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expenses incurred by the member in the performance of official |
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duties as a member of the work group as provided by the General |
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Appropriations Act. |
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(g) The senate and the house of representatives shall |
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provide administrative support to the work group as necessary to |
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implement this Act. |
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SECTION 3. WORK GROUP DUTIES. (a) The work group shall: |
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(1) study the benefits of converting sites in this |
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state with coal-fired electric generating facilities to use nuclear |
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electric generating facilities instead; and |
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(2) develop a model plan for implementing |
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coal-to-nuclear conversion to provide affordable and sustainable |
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power in this state. |
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(b) In developing the model plan, the work group shall: |
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(1) conduct a comprehensive review of research and |
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information on coal-to-nuclear conversion and related issues; |
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(2) engage in stakeholder outreach to gather feedback |
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and input from the public, industry, state agencies, and relevant |
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organizations; |
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(3) identify the potential benefits of |
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coal-to-nuclear conversion, including cost-effectiveness, energy |
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security, and reduced environmental impact; |
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(4) assess the economic viability of coal-to-nuclear |
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conversion and provide recommendations on financing and |
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cost-effectiveness; and |
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(5) consider the regulatory framework and |
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requirements for coal-to-nuclear conversion and provide |
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recommendations for streamlining the conversion process. |
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(c) Not later than October 31, 2024, the work group shall |
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submit to each standing committee of the senate and house of |
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representatives with oversight jurisdiction over environmental |
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concerns or electric utilities a report that includes the model |
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plan developed under this section and any findings or |
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recommendations made by a committee formed under Section 2(d) of |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 4. APPOINTMENTS. As soon as practicable, but not |
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later than October 1, 2023, the governor, lieutenant governor, and |
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speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the members |
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of the work group. |
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SECTION 5. INITIAL MEETING. Not later than November 1, |
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2023, the work group shall hold its initial meeting and select the |
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chair of the work group. |
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SECTION 6. EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the work group |
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is abolished June 30, 2025. |
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SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2023. |
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* * * * * |