2005S0211-1 02/09/05
By: Fraser S.B. No. 533
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the state's goal for renewable energy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 39.904, Utilities Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (g), (h), and
(i) to read as follows:
(a) It is the intent of the legislature that by January 1,
2015 [2009], an additional 5,000 [2,000] megawatts of generating
capacity from renewable energy technology will have been installed
in this state. The cumulative installed renewable capacity in this
state shall total 5,880 [1,280] megawatts by January 1, 2015. A
target is set that a total of 10,000 megawatts of generating
capacity from renewable energy technologies be installed in this
state by January 1, 2025 [2003, 1,730 megawatts by January 1, 2005,
2,280 megawatts by January 1, 2007, and 2,880 megawatts by
January 1, 2009].
(a-1) It is the intent of the legislature that a minimum of
500 megawatts of generating capacity installed in this state after
September 1, 2005, derive from non-wind renewable energy
resources.
(g) The commission shall identify competitive renewable
zones throughout the state. In this section, "competitive
renewable zone" means an area receiving special consideration with
respect to transmission service due to its potential for
cost-effective renewable power development. Transmission service
to a competitive renewable zone must be consistent with Subchapter
A, Chapter 35. The commission may establish rules for managing the
cost of transmission congestion that enable a competitive renewable
zone to achieve the goals established by this section.
(h) The commission shall file a report with the legislature
not later than January 1, 2007. The report shall include:
(1) an evaluation of the commission's implementation
of competitive renewable zones;
(2) the estimated cost of transmission service
improvements needed for each competitive renewable zone; and
(3) an evaluation of the impact that additional
renewable generation has on system reliability and the cost of
alternatives to mitigate the impact.
(i) The commission may adopt rules requiring renewable
power facilities to have reactive power control capabilities or any
other feasible technology designed to reduce the facilities' impact
on system reliability.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.