BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 184
By: Watson
Natural Resources
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Senate Bill 184 calls on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to identify cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Commonly known as the "no regrets" approach, S.B. 184 seeks to realize the economic benefits, cost savings to businesses and consumers, and environmental benefits of identifying and prioritizing no-cost and cost saving greenhouse gas reduction strategies first.
As proposed, S.B. 184 calls on TCEQ to develop and present a report to the legislature by December 31, 2009, that outlines strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that, over the lifetime of the strategy, will result in no financial cost to businesses and consumers of the state.
[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as the successor agency to TNRCC.]
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 382.0174, as follows:
Sec. 382.0174. EMISSION REDUCTION STRATEGIES FOR GREENHOUSE GASES. (a) Defines "greenhouse gas."
(b) Requires the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to prepare and deliver to each member of the legislature, not later than December 31, 2009, a report including a list of strategies for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in this state that may result in net savings for consumers or businesses in this state or can be achieved without financial cost to consumers or businesses in this state.
(c) Requires TNRCC, in preparing the list of emission reduction strategies, to consider the strategies for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that have been implemented in other states or nations.
(d) Requires TNRCC, in determining under Subsection (b) whether an emission reduction strategy may result in a financial cost to consumers or businesses in this state, to consider the total net costs that may occur over the life of the strategy, as opposed to the short-term capital costs that may result from the implementation of the strategy.
(e) Authorizes TNRCC to appoint advisory committees to assist TNRCC in identifying and evaluating greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.