AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 199 requires power plant operators to determine the amount of water used in a power plant's cooling processes and to evaluate the feasibility of installing or retrofitting a plant with dry-cooling or other water-efficient cooling methods.
All water users should share in the goals of conserving water and reducing water demand and consumption. Requiring power plants to conduct an evaluation and analysis of the water used in their cooling processes could result in reduced water demand and consumption by the power sector and could also reduce the likelihood of negative impacts to electric supply and reliability due to drought.
As proposed, S.B. 199 amends current law relating to the evaluation by applicants for permits for certain electric generating facilities of water-efficient cooling technologies.
[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), the following amendments affect the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as the successor agency to TNRCC.]
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 382.069, as follows:
Sec. 382.069. EVALUATION OF WATER-EFFICIENT COOLING TECHNOLOGIES. Prohibits the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission from issuing, amending, or renewing a permit for an electrical generating facility in which the water-cooling technology is used or proposed for use unless the applicant has submitted an evaluation of water-efficient cooling technologies, including dry cooling, as an alternative to the water-cooling technology used or proposed for use by the facility.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2013.