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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the ability of electric utilities to provide electric |
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service during a major power outage. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 38.072 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.072. ELECTRIC SERVICE DURING A MAJOR POWER OUTAGE. |
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(a) For purposes of this section, "electric utility" includes: |
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(1) a municipally owned utility; and |
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(2) an electric cooperative. |
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(b) The commission shall conduct a study to evaluate whether |
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there is a need in this state for electric utilities to improve |
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their ability to restore electric service to customers after a |
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major power outage that is expected to last for more than 24 hours. |
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(c) On a determination that there is a need in this state for |
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a particular electric utility to improve its ability to restore |
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electric service to customers after a major power outage, the |
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commission may require the electric utility to maintain: |
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(1) an additional physical interconnection with |
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another electric utility, regardless of whether the electric |
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utilities operate within the same power region; |
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(2) an emergency electricity supply agreement with at |
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least one other electric utility; or |
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(3) a joint restoration procedure with at least one |
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other electric utility. |
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(d) The commission may require an electric utility to |
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provide information regarding: |
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(1) the utility's ability to restore service during a |
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major power outage; and |
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(2) a report regarding the utility's progress in |
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implementing a measure the commission requires under Subsection |
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(c). |
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SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2011, the Public |
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Utility Commission of Texas shall submit a report of the results of |
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the study required by Section 38.072, Utilities Code, as added by |
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this Act, to the legislature. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |