87R16125 JXC-F
 
  By: Paddie, Hernandez, Allison, et al. H.B. No. 11
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 11:
 
  By:  Hernandez C.S.H.B. No. 11
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the preparedness for extreme weather emergencies of
  facilities that provide electricity service.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Section 35.0021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 35.0021.  WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. (a)  In this
  section, "extreme weather emergency" means a period when:
               (1)  the previous day's highest temperature did not
  exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature is predicted to
  remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours according to the
  nearest National Weather Service reports; or
               (2)  the National Weather Service issues a heat
  advisory for any county in the relevant service territory, or when
  such an advisory has been issued on any one of the previous two
  calendar days.
         (b)  The commission by rule shall require each provider of
  generation in the ERCOT power region to:
               (1)  implement measures to prepare generation
  facilities to provide adequate electric generation service during
  an extreme weather emergency;
               (2)  make reasonable efforts to prevent electric
  generation service interruptions during an extreme weather
  emergency;
               (3)  reestablish service in the shortest possible time
  period after an electric generation service interruption that
  occurs due to an extreme weather emergency; and
               (4)  make reasonable efforts to manage emergencies
  caused by electric generation service interruptions during extreme
  weather emergencies, including issuing instructions to employees
  on procedures to be followed in the event of an extreme weather
  emergency.
         (c)  The rules must address electric generation service for
  all neighborhoods, rural areas, communities of fewer than 1,000
  people, and low-income areas in the ERCOT power region.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Section 38.074 to read as follows:
         Sec. 38.074.  WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. (a)  In this
  section, "extreme weather emergency" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 35.0021.
         (b)  The commission by rule shall require each electric
  cooperative, municipally owned utility, and transmission and
  distribution utility providing transmission or distribution
  service in the ERCOT power region to:
               (1)  implement measures to prepare facilities to
  maintain service quality and reliability during an extreme weather
  emergency;
               (2)  make reasonable efforts to prevent service
  interruptions during an extreme weather emergency;
               (3)  reestablish service in the shortest possible time
  period after a service interruption that occurs due to an extreme
  weather emergency; and
               (4)  make reasonable efforts to manage emergencies
  caused by service interruptions during extreme weather
  emergencies, including issuing instructions to employees on
  procedures to be followed in the event of an extreme weather
  emergency.
         (c)  The rules must address service for all neighborhoods,
  rural areas, communities of fewer than 1,000 people, and low-income
  areas in the ERCOT power region.
         SECTION 3.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall
  adopt the rules required by Sections 35.0021 and 38.074, Utilities
  Code, as added by this Act, not later than November 1, 2021.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.