LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 6, 2011

TO:
Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Energy Resources
 
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB1629 by Anchia (Relating to energy efficiency goals and public information regarding energy efficiency programs.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1629, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($140,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2013.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2012 ($70,000)
2013 ($70,000)
2014 ($70,000)
2015 ($70,000)
2016 ($70,000)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
2012 ($70,000)
2013 ($70,000)
2014 ($70,000)
2015 ($70,000)
2016 ($70,000)

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the utilities code to change electric utilities’ goal for energy efficiency from a percentage of growth demand to a percentage of peak demand. The bill would require the Public Utility Commission to conduct an annual survey of customers that participate in energy efficiency programs to obtain information on whether a customer would have installed the energy efficiency measure if no incentive were offered and whether the customer would have known about the energy efficiency programs absent efforts made by the PUC or an electric utility to publicize the program. The bill would require the results of the survey to be reported to the legislature in the PUC’s annual report on revenues and expenditures. The bill would also require an electric utility to electronically submit an energy efficiency plan and report. The bill would require the PUC to publish information relating to energy efficiency on the PUC’s website.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.


Methodology

According to the analysis submitted by the PUC, conducting the study required under the provisions of the bill would necessitate that the PUC hire a consultant to assist with the survey. The PUC estimates that hiring a consultant for this purpose would require $70,000 in Professional Fees and Services, beginning in fiscal year 2012 and continuing each year thereafter. This estimate is based on the cost of past surveys. Also, based on the analysis of the PUC, it is assumed that the other requirements of this bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
473 Public Utility Commission of Texas
LBB Staff:
JOB, SZ, MW, RAN