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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study concerning the feasibility and viability of |
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certain time-differentiated pricing schemes for electric service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) The independent organization certified |
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under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region |
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shall conduct a study concerning the feasibility of the adoption of |
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time-differentiated pricing, including real-time pricing, critical |
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peak pricing, and time-of-use pricing schemes, by an investor-owned |
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electric utility, a retail electric provider, a municipally owned |
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utility, an electric cooperative, or a river authority that |
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provides electric utility services. |
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(b) In conducting the study required by this Act, the |
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independent organization shall consider: |
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(1) the current condition of the industry in this |
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state; |
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(2) prior studies that have been conducted on the |
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issue of time-of-use pricing; and |
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(3) any other information that the independent |
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organization determines is necessary. |
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(c) At the independent organization's request, the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas or other agency shall provide |
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information and assistance in conducting the study under this Act. |
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(d) Not later than January 1, 2011, the independent |
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organization shall report the results of the study conducted under |
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this Act to the 82nd Legislature. At a minimum, the report must |
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include recommendations concerning specific steps that can be |
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taken, by statute or rule, to achieve maximum consumer and utility |
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savings by transitioning to time-differentiated pricing in this |
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state. |
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SECTION 2. This Act expires January 1, 2011. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |