BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 712
79R4311 JJT-F By: Carona
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As proposed, S.B. 712 encourages and facilitates the adoption of emerging energy and information-related technologies that either reduce overall energy consumption or reduce consumption at peak times by proposing modified efficiency goals. The bill will permanently retire old, inefficient household appliances from the market by safely recycling them. Finally, S.B. 712 requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas to establish market transformation programs for schools and homeowners.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Public Utility Commission of Texas is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 39.905, Utilities Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 39.905, Utilities Code, as follows:
Sec. 39.905. GOAL FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY. (a) Sets forth goals of the legislature relating to energy efficiency, including the goal that all customers have a choice of and access to energy efficiency alternatives and other choices from the market that allow each customer to reduce the customer's energy consumption, peak demand, or energy costs.
(b) Requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) to provide oversight and adopt rules and procedures, as necessary, to ensure that the goal of this section is achieved by January 1, 2007, rather than 2004.
(c) Requires a standard offer program under Subsection (a)(3) to be neutral with respect to technologies, equipment, or fuels and to facilitate the full participation of emerging technologies, including thermal, chemical, and mechanical technologies and electrical energy storage technologies.
(d) Requires the commission to establish certain market transformation programs.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.