81R6072 KFF-D
 
  By: Ortiz, Jr. H.B. No. 1652
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to use of money from the Texas Enterprise Fund or the Texas
  emerging technology fund to promote alternative energy sources and
  energy efficiency technologies.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 481.078, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (k) and (l) to read as follows:
         (k)  At least 20 percent of the total amount of grants made
  from the fund must be to fund the establishment and expansion of
  enterprises in this state that have as their primary purpose:
               (1)  the provision of energy derived from alternative
  energy sources; or
               (2)  the conservation of energy resources through
  energy efficiency technology.
         (l)  For purposes of Subsection (k):
               (1)  "Alternative energy source" means an energy
  source, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy,
  and wind energy, that does not depend on nuclear fuel or
  nonrenewable fossil fuel.
               (2)  "Energy efficiency technology" means technology
  that is aimed at reducing the rate at which electric energy is used
  by equipment or processes and may be achieved by:
                     (A)  substituting more advanced equipment to
  produce the same level of end-use services with less electricity;
                     (B)  adopting technology and processes that
  reduce heat or other energy losses; or
                     (C)  reorganizing processes to make use of waste
  heat.
         SECTION 2.  Section 490.151, Government Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read
  as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Subsection (c), amounts [Amounts] allocated
  from the fund for use as provided by this subchapter shall be
  reserved for incentives for private or nonprofit entities to
  collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education
  in this state on emerging technology projects with a demonstrable
  economic benefit to this state.
         (c)  The governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
  house of representatives shall ensure that at least 30 percent of
  the amounts allocated from the fund for use as provided by this
  subchapter shall be used for initiatives that promote alternative
  energy sources or energy efficiency technologies.
         (d)  In this section:
               (1)  "Alternative energy source" means an energy
  source, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy,
  and wind energy, that does not depend on nuclear fuel or
  nonrenewable fossil fuel.
               (2)  "Energy efficiency technology" means technology
  that is aimed at reducing the rate at which electric energy is used
  by equipment or processes and may be achieved by:
                     (A)  substituting more advanced equipment to
  produce the same level of end-use services with less electricity;
                     (B)  adopting technology and processes that
  reduce heat or other energy losses; or
                     (C)  reorganizing processes to make use of waste
  heat.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.