80R9645 TAD-D
 
  By: Bonnen 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 25 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 25 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 effect on air quality in
nonattainment areas; and
                         (iii)  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.