| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to "no regrets" greenhouse gas emissions reduction |
|
|
strategies. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 2305, Government Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Section 2305.201 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 2305.201. STRATEGIES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE |
|
|
GASES. (a) In this section, "greenhouse gas" includes carbon |
|
|
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, |
|
|
perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. |
|
|
(b) Not later than December 31, 2010, the Comptroller of |
|
|
Public Accounts shall prepare and deliver to each member of the |
|
|
legislature a report including a list of strategies for reducing |
|
|
emissions of greenhouse gases in this state that: |
|
|
(1) shall result in net savings for consumers or |
|
|
businesses in this state; |
|
|
(2) can be achieved without financial cost to |
|
|
consumers or businesses in this state; or |
|
|
(3) help businesses in the state maintain global |
|
|
competitiveness. |
|
|
(c) In preparing the list of emission reduction strategies, |
|
|
the Comptroller of Public Accounts shall consider the strategies |
|
|
for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that have been |
|
|
implemented in other states or nations. |
|
|
(d) In determining under Subsection (b) whether an emission |
|
|
reduction strategy may result in a financial cost to consumers or |
|
|
businesses in this state, the Comptroller of Public Accounts shall |
|
|
consider the total net costs that may occur over the life of the |
|
|
strategy. |
|
|
(e) A report prepared under subsection (b) shall include the |
|
|
following information for each identified strategy: |
|
|
(1) initial, short-term capital costs that may result |
|
|
from the implementation of the strategy delineated by the costs to |
|
|
business, and the costs to consumers; and |
|
|
(2) lifetime costs and savings that may result from |
|
|
the implementation of the strategy delineated by the costs and |
|
|
savings to business and the costs and savings to consumers. |
|
|
(f) The Comptroller of Public Accounts shall appoint one or |
|
|
more advisory committees to assist the in identifying and |
|
|
evaluating greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. At least |
|
|
one representative from the following agencies shall serve on the |
|
|
advisory committee or committees: |
|
|
(1) the Texas Railroad Commission; |
|
|
(2) the General Land Office; |
|
|
(3) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; |
|
|
(4) the Texas Department of Agriculture; and |
|
|
(5) a Texas Institution of Higher Education. |
|
|
(g) The Comptroller of Public Accounts may enter into an |
|
|
interagency agreement with the Texas Commission on Environmental |
|
|
Quality or other state agency for technical advice or assistance as |
|
|
necessary to complete the requirements of this subsection. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |