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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to use of money from the Texas Enterprise Fund or the Texas |
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emerging technology fund to promote alternative energy sources and |
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energy efficiency technologies. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 481.078, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (k) and (l) to read as follows: |
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(k) At least 20 percent of the total amount of grants made |
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from the fund must be to fund the establishment and expansion of |
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enterprises in this state that have as their primary purpose: |
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(1) the provision of energy derived from alternative |
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energy sources; or |
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(2) the conservation of energy resources through |
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energy efficiency technology. |
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(l) For purposes of Subsection (k): |
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(1) "Alternative energy source" means an energy |
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source, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, |
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and wind energy, that does not depend on nuclear fuel or |
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nonrenewable fossil fuel. |
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(2) "Energy efficiency technology" means technology |
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that is aimed at reducing the rate at which electric energy is used |
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by equipment or processes and may be achieved by: |
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(A) substituting more advanced equipment to |
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produce the same level of end-use services with less electricity; |
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(B) adopting technology and processes that |
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reduce heat or other energy losses; or |
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(C) reorganizing processes to make use of waste |
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heat. |
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SECTION 2. Section 490.151, Government Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read |
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as follows: |
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(a) Subject to Subsection (c), amounts [Amounts] allocated |
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from the fund for use as provided by this subchapter shall be |
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reserved for incentives for private or nonprofit entities to |
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collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education |
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in this state on emerging technology projects with a demonstrable |
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economic benefit to this state. |
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(c) The governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the |
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house of representatives shall ensure that at least 30 percent of |
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the amounts allocated from the fund for use as provided by this |
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subchapter shall be used for initiatives that promote alternative |
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energy sources or energy efficiency technologies. |
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(d) In this section: |
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(1) "Alternative energy source" means an energy |
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source, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, |
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and wind energy, that does not depend on nuclear fuel or |
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nonrenewable fossil fuel. |
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(2) "Energy efficiency technology" means technology |
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that is aimed at reducing the rate at which electric energy is used |
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by equipment or processes and may be achieved by: |
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|
(A) substituting more advanced equipment to |
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produce the same level of end-use services with less electricity; |
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|
(B) adopting technology and processes that |
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reduce heat or other energy losses; or |
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(C) reorganizing processes to make use of waste |
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heat. |
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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, 2009. |