78R11979 JJT-F


By:  Baxter                                                       H.B. No. 2576

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2576:                                   

By:  Baxter                                                   C.S.H.B. No. 2576



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to renewable energy credits for technology that uses 
municipal solid waste to create energy.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 363, Health and Safety Code, is amended 
by adding Subchapter H to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H.  RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT
	Sec. 363.171.  PARTICIPATION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS 
TRADING PROGRAM.  (a)  In this section:
		(1)  "Electric cooperative" has the meaning assigned by 
Section 11.003, Utilities Code.
		(2)  "Municipally owned utility" has the meaning 
assigned by Section 11.003, Utilities Code.
		(3)  "Municipal solid waste" has the meaning assigned 
by Section 361.003.
		(4)  "Retail electric provider" has the meaning 
assigned by Section 31.002, Utilities Code.
	(b)  Notwithstanding Section 39.904(d), Utilities Code, the 
Public Utilities Commission of Texas by rule shall provide that a 
retail electric provider, a municipally owned utility, or an 
electric cooperative operating in this state may credit toward 
satisfaction of the requirements of the renewable energy credits 
trading program established under Section 39.904, Utilities Code, 
the production or acquisition of energy generated in this state by a 
technology that relies on energy derived from municipal solid 
waste.
	(c)  The credits available under this section may not exceed 
50 megawatts of generating capacity for all providers.
	(d)  This section does not affect or limit renewable energy 
credits available for uses of biomass-based waste products or 
landfill gas.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.