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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study and a pilot project with regard to, and the |
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implementation of policies to promote, the adoption of plug-in |
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hybrid electric vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 39.917 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 39.917. EVALUATION OF POLICIES REGARDING PLUG-IN |
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HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES; PILOT PROJECT. (a) In this section, |
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"plug-in hybrid electric vehicle" means a vehicle that: |
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(1) draws motive power from a battery with a capacity |
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of at least four kilowatt-hours; |
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(2) can be recharged from an external source of |
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electricity for motive power; and |
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(3) is a light-duty motor vehicle as defined by |
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Section 386.151, Health and Safety Code. |
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(b) The commission shall study the potential for wide-scale |
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adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and shall submit a |
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report to the 82nd Legislature regarding the commission's findings. |
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The report shall include: |
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(1) a summary and evaluation of studies by other |
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organizations relating to the sufficiency of the transmission and |
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distribution grid and existing generation capacity to charge |
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vehicles; |
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(2) a summary and evaluation of studies quantifying |
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the air quality benefits of the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric |
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vehicles, particularly in areas that are, or are likely to be, |
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nonattainment areas; |
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(3) an evaluation of the sufficiency of existing and |
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planned metering infrastructure, settlement policies, and retail |
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pricing offers to provide adequate incentives for customers to |
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charge vehicles during off-peak hours; |
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(4) an evaluation by transmission and distribution |
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utilities of the potential impact of increased loading on |
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distribution transformers due to increased use of plug-in hybrid |
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electric vehicles; and |
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(5) recommendations to the legislature relating to |
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legislation that the commission finds necessary to support the |
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adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles while maintaining a |
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reliable transmission and distribution grid. |
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(c) Based on the results of the study required by this |
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section, the commission may adopt rules as necessary to ensure that |
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adequate electric infrastructure and policies are in place to |
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support the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. |
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(d) The commission shall consult with the Electric |
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Reliability Council of Texas, transmission and distribution |
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utilities, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as |
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appropriate, to conduct the study. |
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(e) The commission shall develop a pilot project, in |
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consultation with local electric utilities or private contractors, |
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for the establishment and operation of charging stations for |
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plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in state-owned parking lots and |
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garages, including lots and garages in the Capitol Complex, as |
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defined by Section 411.061, Government Code. |
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(f) The pilot project must also include: |
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(1) demonstrations on the use of charging stations for |
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plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the Capitol Complex; |
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(2) the solicitation of demonstrations of plug-in |
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hybrid electric vehicles, including pickup trucks, delivery |
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vehicles, and buses, for use in the state vehicle fleet; and |
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(3) facilitation of the use of ride-sharing or |
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car-pooling programs that use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and |
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are sponsored or promoted by local governments. |
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(g) The commission may solicit and accept grants, gifts, and |
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donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |