Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 2845 requires the state energy conservation office to develop a statewide plan for the coordinated acceleration of the commercialization of fuel cell generation in the state. The bill specifies certain factors that must be considered in the creation of the plan, including the availability of funding for research and development, the creation of market mechanisms to recognize and reward contributions to the reduction of harmful emissions, the use of tax or other economic incentives, and the impact of fuel cell technology use in non-attainment or near non-attainment areas under the federal Clean Air Act. The bill also requires the energy office to seek the assistance and support of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and other state or local agencies and to appoint a fuel cell initiative advisory committee to advise the energy office regarding development of the plan. The bill requires the energy office to issue a report of its findings to the House Energy Resources Committee and the Senate Business and Commerce Committee not later than September 15, 2002.