BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1842

By: Lozano

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Last year, a wind turbine owned by Apex Clean Energy caught on fire in an area between the Cities of Taft and Portland. It was reported that the first responders on the scene could not readily find contact information for the owner or operator of the facility. This increased the danger faced by first responders as not only did they need to inform that person of the incident but they needed to obtain information regarding whether electricity remained active in the structure and could potentially exacerbate the turbine damage. H.B. 1842 seeks to remedy this issue by requiring the operator of a wind turbine to post signs at the public entrances to the facility that include certain information, including emergency contact information.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1842 amends the Utilities Code to require an operator of a wind power facility to post a sign in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public at each entrance to the facility that includes the following information:

·       the facility's name;

·       the name of the facility's owner;

·       the name, business address, and phone number of the facility's operator;

·       the number of acres in the lot on which the facility is located;

·       the county in which the sign is located; and

·       emergency contact information.

The bill requires the sign to use contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height.

H.B. 1842 authorizes the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to do the following:

·       regulate a wind power facility as necessary to carry out the PUC's duties under the bill regarding the signage requirements; and

·       enforce the bill's provisions in the manner provided for the administrative enforcement provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.