By: Hall S.C.R. No. 1
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, Our food and water supplies, communications,
  banking, hospitals, law enforcement, and countless critical
  functions depend on the electric grid, and its protection is vital
  to homeland security; and
         WHEREAS, In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri provided a harsh
  reminder of the importance of the Texas power grid as
  weather-related failures left many residents and businesses
  without access to heat; in April and June, the Electric Reliability
  Council of Texas responded to power generation outages by issuing
  requests for citizens to temporarily reduce energy use; and
         WHEREAS, Although more work remains to be done in preventing
  energy shortages, Texas is fortunate to have its own power grid; the
  state is thus capable of hardening its own electric system to ensure
  reliable electricity in any environment for residents, businesses,
  and state and local government, as well as for U.S. military bases;
  for example, during the 87th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature
  passed Senate Bill 3, which requires power generation companies in
  Texas to prepare their facilities for extreme weather; and
         WHEREAS, Protecting the grid from all threats would provide
  substantial economic benefits; as the federal government closes
  military bases around the country, Texas bases would likely survive
  closure because of their enhanced energy security; moreover,
  companies considering relocation or expansion would clearly find
  the assurance of secure power immensely valuable and look to the
  Lone Star State; and
         WHEREAS, The protection of the electric grid is essential to
  the security and continued prosperity of our state and nation, and
  Texas is prepared to do its part to ensure that citizens can rely
  completely on the power system that sustains our society; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,
  3rd Called Session, hereby request the lieutenant governor and the
  speaker of the house of representatives to create a joint interim
  committee to study the security of the Texas electric grid and its
  capacity generation capabilities; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the committee include members of the Electric
  Reliability Council of Texas and other relevant stakeholder groups;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including
  findings and recommendations, to the 88th Texas Legislature in
  January 2023; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be
  governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees
  as the 87th Texas Legislature may adopt.