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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain low-income weatherization programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (f), Section 39.905, Utilities Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(f) Unless funding is provided under Section 39.903, each |
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unbundled transmission and distribution utility shall include in |
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its energy efficiency plan a targeted low-income energy efficiency |
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program as described by Section 39.903(f)(2), and the savings |
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achieved by the program shall count toward the transmission and |
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distribution utility's energy efficiency goal. The commission |
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shall determine the appropriate level of funding to be allocated to |
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both targeted and standard offer low-income energy efficiency |
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programs in each unbundled transmission and distribution utility |
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service area. The level of funding for low-income energy |
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efficiency programs shall be provided from money approved by the |
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commission for the transmission and distribution utility's energy |
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efficiency programs. The commission shall ensure that annual |
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[total] expenditures for the [both] targeted [and standard offer] |
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low-income energy efficiency programs of each unbundled |
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transmission and distribution utility are not less than 10 percent |
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of the transmission and distribution utility's energy efficiency |
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budget for the year. A targeted low-income energy efficiency |
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program must comply with the same audit requirements that apply to |
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federal weatherization subrecipients [will be based on the amount
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spent by the transmission and distribution utility on the
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commission's hard to reach program in calendar year 2003]. In an |
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energy efficiency cost recovery factor proceeding related to |
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expenditures under this subsection, the commission shall make |
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findings of fact regarding whether the utility meets requirements |
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imposed under this subsection [This level of funding for low-income
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energy efficiency programs shall be provided from money approved by
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the commission for the transmission and distribution utility's
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energy efficiency programs]. The state agency that administers the |
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federal weatherization assistance program shall provide reports as |
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required by the commission to provide the most current information |
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available on energy and peak demand savings achieved in each |
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transmission and distribution utility service area. The agency |
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shall participate in energy efficiency cost recovery factor |
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proceedings related to expenditures under this subsection to ensure |
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that targeted low-income weatherization programs are consistent |
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with federal weatherization programs and adequately funded. |
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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. |