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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an energy efficiency products pilot program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 31, Utilities Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 31.006 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.006. ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS PILOT PROGRAM. (a) |
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The commission shall develop and implement a pilot program that |
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requires an electric utility to establish a program that enables |
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building owners and tenants to obtain and install energy efficiency |
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products and to pay for the products through the use of a monthly |
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energy services charge. |
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(b) In developing the program, the commission must ensure |
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that: |
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(1) the monthly energy services charge for a product |
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that is not portable is assigned to the meter location and not to |
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the individual customer; |
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(2) sufficient notice of the monthly energy services |
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charge is provided to subsequent owners and tenants; |
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(3) service may be disconnected for nonpayment of the |
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monthly energy services charge; |
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(4) the monthly energy services charge is lower than |
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the estimated savings that will accrue from using the product; and |
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(5) there is an independent certification that |
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products are appropriate and that the savings exceed the costs. |
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(c) The commission shall require at least one electric |
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utility inside ERCOT and one electric utility outside ERCOT to |
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establish the program. |
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(d) Not later than December 15, 2008, the commission shall |
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submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the |
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electric utility restructuring legislative oversight committee |
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that: |
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(1) describes the operation of the pilot program; |
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(2) analyzes the effect of the pilot program in |
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reducing energy consumption and energy costs; and |
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(3) makes recommendations regarding any necessary |
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changes to the pilot program. |
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(e) Not later than December 15, 2010, the commission shall |
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submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the |
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electric utility restructuring legislative oversight committee |
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that: |
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(1) describes the continuing operation of the pilot |
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program; |
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(2) analyzes the continuing effect of the pilot |
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program in reducing energy consumption and energy costs; and |
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(3) makes recommendations regarding the continuation |
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or expansion of the pilot program. |
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(f) This section expires September 1, 2011. |
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SECTION 2. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall |
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implement the pilot program required by Section 31.006, Utilities |
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Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |