| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to a study with regard to, and the implementation of |
|
|
policies to promote, the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric |
|
|
vehicles. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 39.917 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 39.917. EVALUATION OF POLICIES REGARDING PLUG-IN |
|
|
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "plug-in hybrid |
|
|
electric vehicle" means a vehicle that: |
|
|
(1) draws motive power from a battery with a capacity |
|
|
of at least four kilowatt-hours; |
|
|
(2) can be recharged from an external source of |
|
|
electricity for motive power; and |
|
|
(3) is a light-duty motor vehicle as defined by |
|
|
Section 386.151, Health and Safety Code. |
|
|
(b) The commission shall study the potential for wide-scale |
|
|
adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and shall submit a |
|
|
report to the 82nd Legislature regarding the commission's findings. |
|
|
The report shall include: |
|
|
(1) a summary and evaluation of studies by other |
|
|
organizations relating to the sufficiency of the transmission and |
|
|
distribution grid and existing generation capacity to charge |
|
|
vehicles; |
|
|
(2) a summary and evaluation of studies quantifying |
|
|
the air quality benefits of the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric |
|
|
vehicles, particularly in areas that are, or are likely to be, |
|
|
nonattainment areas; |
|
|
(3) an evaluation of the sufficiency of existing and |
|
|
planned metering infrastructure, settlement policies, and retail |
|
|
pricing offers to provide adequate incentives for customers to |
|
|
charge vehicles during off-peak hours; |
|
|
(4) an evaluation by transmission and distribution |
|
|
utilities of the potential impact of increased loading on |
|
|
distribution transformers due to increased use of plug-in hybrid |
|
|
electric vehicles; and |
|
|
(5) recommendations to the legislature relating to |
|
|
legislation that the commission finds necessary to support the |
|
|
adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles while maintaining a |
|
|
reliable transmission and distribution grid. |
|
|
(c) Based on the results of the study required by this |
|
|
section, the commission may adopt rules as necessary to ensure that |
|
|
adequate electric infrastructure and policies are in place to |
|
|
support the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. |
|
|
(d) The commission shall consult with the Electric |
|
|
Reliability Council of Texas, transmission and distribution |
|
|
utilities, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as |
|
|
appropriate, to conduct the study. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |