Honorable Troy Fraser, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB776 by Fraser (Relating to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to approve certain transmission facilities constructed by a municipally owned utility.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
This bill would amend the Utilities Code related to the authority of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to approve certain transmission facilities constructed by a municipally owned utility. Based on information provided by the Public Utility Commission and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Public Power Association, municipally owned electric utilities (MOUs) would incur additional costs for proceedings before the Public Utility Commission. These costs would be related to attorney's, engineer's, and consultant's fees, environmental assessments, and survey costs for multiple routings associated with proceedings for certificates of convenience and necessity for the construction of transmission lines outside the MOU's service territory.
Source Agencies:
473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 475 Office of Public Utility Counsel