BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1012
	By: Zaffirini
	Business & Commerce
	5/23/2019
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Section 31.002(10), Utilities Code, defines �power generation company� using the term �person� to describe the entity being defined. The definition of �person� in Section 11.003(14), Utilities, Code, however, excludes electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities. What's more, both electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities can, and do, own transmission and distribution facilities and have certificated service areas in this state.

 

Sections 35.151 and 35.152, Utilities Code, require the �owners or operators� of electric energy storage equipment (i.e. batteries) to register as a power generation company. Electric cooperatives and municipally owned utilities, however, cannot qualify as a �power generation company� as defined by Section 11.003(14).  It therefore could be inferred�contrary to Public Utility Commission (PUC) policy and the intent of the statute�that they are not permitted to own or operate a battery without bringing into question their status as a municipally owned utility or electric cooperative.

 

A recommendation of the PUC in its Scope of Competition in Electric Markets in Texas: Report to the 86th Legislature, S.B. 1012 would clarify existing law to reaffirm the PUC policy that municipally owned utilities and co-ops may own and operate batteries without having to register as a power generation company with the PUC. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1012 amends current law relating to the applicability of certain electric energy storage equipment requirements to municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives.

 

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 Section 35.152, Utilities Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:

 

(d) Provides that Subsection (b) (relating to providing that the owner or operator of certain generation assets is a power generation company and setting forth certain requirements and entitlements for the company) does not require a municipally owned utility or an electric cooperative that owns or operates electric energy storage equipment or facilities described by Subsection (a) to register as a power generation company under Section 39.351(a) (relating to prohibiting a person from generating electricity unless the person is registered with the Public Utility Commission of Texas as a power generation company in accordance with this section).

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.