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