BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1150

By: Seliger

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During the implementation of the restructuring of the Texas electric utility industry, the legislature established electric utility energy efficiency goals, programs, and cost recovery that are applicable to nearly every electric utility in the state except one that lies outside the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.  Through the years, this exempt utility has worked voluntarily with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and local stakeholders to invest in energy efficiency.  However, considering the growing interest in this policy area, it is important to close the loophole in the statute and provide certainty for the company and its customers.   S.B. 1150 seeks to correct this inconsistency to ensure that provisions relating to electric utility energy efficiency goals, programs, and cost recovery apply equally to all electric utilities.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1150 amends the Utilities Code to make provisions of law relating to the state's goal for energy efficiency applicable to certain investor-owned electric utilities operating solely outside of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.  The bill removes expired provisions and makes nonsubstantive changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.