By: Bonnen, Hancock, Branch, King of Parker H.B. No. 2713

Substitute the following for C.S.H.B. No. 2713

By: Lucio III C.S.H.B. No. 2713

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interim study concerning the state's demand for electric generation capacity, the development of a long-term energy plan, and the effects on the environment of electric generating facilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE. (a) The Interim Special Committee on Electric Energy Generation Capacity and Environmental Impact is composed of:

(1) the chair of the House Environmental Regulation Committee;

(2) the chair of the House Energy Resources Committee;

(3) the chair of the House Committee on Regulated Industries;

(4) the chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee;

(5) the chair of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee;

(6) four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(7) five members of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor.

(b) The speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor shall each designate a co-chair from among the committee members.

(c) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of this Act, the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor shall appoint the members of the interim committee.

SECTION 2. STUDY; PLAN. (a) The committee shall:

(1) study the state's demand for electric generation capacity for the next 50 years and the infrastructure and technology available for meeting that demand;

(2) study the environmental effects of existing electric generating facilities; and

(3) prepare a long-term electric energy and environmental impact plan for the 80th Legislature that includes:

(A) an estimate of the demand for electric generation capacity by this state for each of the next 50 years;

(B) an inventory of all existing electric generating facilities operating in this state;

(C) an assessment of the types of, and amount of electric generation capacity from, electric generation technology available to be used to meet the demand for generation capacity, including:

(i) coal;

(ii) renewable energy;

(iii) liquefied natural gas;

(iv) nuclear energy; and

(v) integrated gasification combined cycle technology; and

(D) an assessment of the environmental effects of existing and potential electric generating facilities and energy generation technology, including the effects on:

(i) the emission of pollutants regulated by the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7412);

(ii) the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.

(iii) the effect on air quality in nonattainment areas; and

(iv) whether an increase in emissions would cause an area to become a nonattainment area.

(b) In preparing the plan required by Subsection (a), the committee may consult with:

(1) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;

(2) the Public Utility Commission of Texas; and

(3) the Railroad Commission of Texas.

(c) The committee shall file with the legislature the long-term electric energy and environmental impact plan required by Subsection (a) not later than January 15, 2009.

SECTION 3. COMMITTEE MEETINGS. The joint interim committee shall meet initially at the joint call of the co-chairs, and the committee shall subsequently hold meetings and public hearings at the call of the co-chairs.

SECTION 4. COMMITTEE POWERS AND DUTIES. The committee has all powers and duties provided to special committees by the senate and house of representatives rules of procedure, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of the committees on administration.

SECTION 5. COMMITTEE FUNDING. (a) From the contingent expense fund of the senate and the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally, the members of the committee shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this Act in accordance with the senate and house of representatives rules of procedure and the policies of the committees on administration.

(b) Other necessary expenses of operation shall be paid from the contingent expense fund of the senate and the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.