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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the provision of electric service during extreme |
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weather conditions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 35.0021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 35.0021. EXTREME WEATHER PREPAREDNESS. The commission |
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shall conduct regular inspections of facilities and equipment used |
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by providers of generation in the ERCOT power region to ensure |
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adequate weatherization preparedness for extreme weather |
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conditions. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 39.918 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 39.918. PUBLICATION OF ENERGY EMERGENCY ALERTS. If an |
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independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the |
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ERCOT power region declares an energy emergency alert, the |
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commission shall publish a notification regarding the alert on the |
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home page of the commission's Internet website as soon as |
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practicable. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 186, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 186.008 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 186.008. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN AUDITS. (a) The |
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Public Utility Commission of Texas by rule shall develop a |
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procedure for auditing emergency operations plans developed by: |
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(1) electric utilities, as defined by Section 31.002; |
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(2) power generation companies, as defined by Section |
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31.002; |
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(3) municipally owned utilities, as defined by Section |
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11.003; |
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(4) electric cooperatives; |
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(5) retail electric providers, as defined by Section |
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31.002; and |
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(6) the independent organization certified under |
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Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region. |
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(b) The procedure for auditing emergency operations plans |
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must require an entity described by Subsection (a) to file an |
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updated emergency operations plan if the Public Utility Commission |
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of Texas finds that the entity's emergency operations plan on file |
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does not contain adequate information to determine whether the |
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entity can provide adequate services during an emergency. |
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SECTION 4. (a) Not later than December 1, 2021, the governor |
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shall appoint a task force to conduct a study of the actions of the |
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Public Utility Commission of Texas, the independent organization |
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certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power |
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region, and electricity market participants taken during February |
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2021 to respond to the extreme weather event of that month. |
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(b) A person must have expertise in electricity markets to |
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be eligible for appointment to the task force. |
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(c) Not later than September 1, 2022, the task force shall |
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submit a report of the findings of the study and any associated |
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recommendations to the legislature. |
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(d) The task force is abolished and this section expires |
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December 31, 2022. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |