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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to protection of the electric power transmission and |
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distribution system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD LEVELS. Section 39.151, |
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Utilities Code, is amended by adding Subsections (o) and (p) to read |
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as follows: |
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(o) The commission by rule shall identify and implement |
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design standards for the electric power transmission and |
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distribution system to limit electromagnetic field levels and |
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protect the transmission and distribution system. |
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(p) The commission by rule shall require the independent |
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organization certified under this section to consider |
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electromagnetic field levels when determining the public need for a |
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transmission line. |
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SECTION 2. ELECTRICAL POWER GRID RELIABILITY TASK FORCE. |
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(a) The electrical power grid reliability task force is created. |
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The task force shall study the likely effectiveness and costs of |
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various measures to protect and strengthen the electric power |
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transmission and distribution system against all hazards. |
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(b) The task force consists of five members appointed by the |
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lieutenant governor and five members appointed by the speaker of |
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the house. The task force: |
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(1) may not: |
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(A) consist of more than 10 members; or |
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(B) include employees of the Public Utility |
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Commission of Texas; and |
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(2) must include at least the following members: |
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(A) two members of the house of representatives |
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appointed by the speaker of the house; |
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(B) two senators appointed by the lieutenant |
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governor; |
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(C) an expert on electromagnetic pulse |
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disturbances appointed by the lieutenant governor; |
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(D) an expert on cybersecurity appointed by the |
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lieutenant governor; |
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(E) an expert on terrorism appointed by the |
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lieutenant governor; |
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(F) an expert on geomagnetic disturbances |
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appointed by the speaker of the house; and |
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(G) an expert on electric power transmission and |
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distribution system security appointed by the speaker of the house. |
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(c) The task force shall elect a presiding officer. |
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(d) The task force shall: |
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(1) evaluate strategies and technologies to |
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strengthen the transmission and distribution system, including: |
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(A) blocking devices; |
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(B) faraday cages; and |
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(C) surge arrestors; |
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(2) survey transmission and distribution utilities |
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to: |
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(A) determine the number of high voltage |
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transformers in this state; and |
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(B) evaluate the utilities' plans to improve |
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current infrastructure; |
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(3) research existing grid protection policies |
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outside this state; |
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(4) make recommendations for the implementation of |
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strategies and technologies that will most effectively and |
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efficiently strengthen the transmission and distribution system, |
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including: |
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(A) blocking devices; |
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(B) faraday cages; and |
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(C) surge arrestors; |
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(5) make recommendations regarding the allocation of |
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costs of implementation, including recommendations for which |
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costs, if any, should be the responsibility of shareholders or |
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ratepayers; and |
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(6) determine the feasibility of implementing the |
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recommended actions. |
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(e) Not later than September 1, 2022, the task force shall |
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prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report of |
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the task force's findings and recommendations. |
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(f) A member of the task force established under this |
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section is not entitled to compensation. Members may be reimbursed |
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for expenses as follows: |
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(1) a member is entitled to reimbursement for travel |
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and other necessary expenses as provided in the General |
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Appropriations Act; and |
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(2) a member appointed as a representative of a state |
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agency is eligible for reimbursement for travel and other necessary |
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expenses according to the applicable agency's policies. |
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(g) The division of emergency management of the office of |
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the governor shall provide administrative support and staff to the |
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advisory task force established under this section. |
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SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. The task force established under |
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this Act is abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2021. |