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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a pilot program to implement renewable energy and other |
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conservation technology in a state park or state natural area. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 13.023 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 13.023. PILOT PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT RENEWABLE ENERGY |
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AND OTHER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY. (a) "Renewable energy |
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technology" has the meaning assigned by Section 39.904(d), |
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Utilities Code. |
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(b) The department shall coordinate with the State Energy |
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Conservation Office to develop and implement a pilot program under |
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which renewable energy technology is used to operate a state park or |
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state natural area. |
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(c) The pilot program must include selecting a state park or |
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state natural area in existence on January 1, 2011, and renovating |
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the selected park or natural area to enable it to operate using only |
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electricity generated from renewable energy technology. All of the |
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energy used by the selected park or natural area must be generated |
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within the boundaries of the park or natural area. The renovation |
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must be completed before September 1, 2016. |
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(d) The pilot program must also use as many energy-efficient |
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products and other natural resource conservation technologies in |
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the selected park or natural area as are feasible, such as plumbing |
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fixtures retrofitted to conserve water. |
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(e) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, |
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the department and the State Energy Conservation Office shall |
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jointly submit a report to the legislature regarding the progress |
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and results of the pilot program. The report must include an |
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assessment of the pilot program's success in conserving energy and |
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natural resources and recommendations for expanding or modifying |
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the program. |
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(f) This section expires September 1, 2017. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |