By: Hancock S.B. No. 415
 
  (Holland, Paddie, Hernandez, Lucio III, Harless)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to use of electric energy storage facilities in the ERCOT
  power region.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 35.151, Utilities Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 35.151.  ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE. This subchapter
  applies only to the ownership or operation of electric energy
  storage equipment or facilities in the ERCOT power region that are
  intended to:
               (1)  provide energy or ancillary services at wholesale,
  including electric energy storage equipment or facilities listed on
  a power generation company's registration with the commission or,
  for an exempt wholesale generator, on the generator's registration
  with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; or
               (2)  provide reliable delivery of electric energy to
  distribution customers.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Section 35.153 to read as follows:
         Sec. 35.153.  CONTRACTS FOR ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE FOR
  RELIABILITY SERVICES. (a)  A transmission and distribution
  utility, with prior approval of the commission, may contract with a
  power generation company to provide electric energy from an
  electric energy storage facility to ensure reliable service to
  distribution customers.
         (b)  The commission may not authorize ownership of an
  electric energy storage facility by a transmission and distribution
  utility.
         (c)  Before entering into a contract under Subsection (a),
  the transmission and distribution utility must issue a request for
  proposals for use of an electric energy storage facility to meet the
  utility's reliability needs.
         (d)  A transmission and distribution utility may enter into a
  contract under Subsection (a) only if use of an electric energy
  storage facility is more cost-effective than construction or
  modification of traditional distribution facilities.
         (e)  A transmission and distribution utility may not enter
  into a contract under Subsection (a) that reserves an amount of
  capacity exceeding the amount of capacity required to ensure
  reliable service to the utility's distribution customers.
         (f)  A power generation company that owns or operates an
  electric energy storage facility subject to a contract under
  Subsection (a) may sell electric energy or ancillary services
  through use of the facility only to the extent that the company
  reserves capacity as required by the contract.
         (g)  A power generation company that owns or operates an
  electric energy storage facility subject to a contract under
  Subsection (a) may not discharge the facility to satisfy the
  contract's requirements unless directed by the transmission and
  distribution utility.
         (h)  A contract under Subsection (a) must require a power
  generation company that owns or operates an electric energy storage
  facility to reimburse a transmission and distribution utility for
  the cost of an administrative penalty assessed against the utility
  for a violation caused by the facility's failure to meet the
  requirements of the agreement.
         (i)  In establishing the rates of a transmission and
  distribution utility, a regulatory authority shall review a
  contract between the utility and a power generation company under
  Subsection (a). The utility has the burden of proof to establish
  that the costs of the contract are reasonable and necessary.  The
  regulatory authority may authorize a transmission and distribution
  utility to include a reasonable return on the payments required
  under the contract only if the contract terms satisfy the relevant
  accounting standards for a capital lease or finance lease.
         (j)  The total amount of electric energy storage capacity
  reserved by contracts under Subsection (a) may not exceed 100
  megawatts.  The commission shall by rule establish the maximum
  amount of electric energy storage capacity allotted to each
  transmission and distribution utility.
         (k)  The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to
  implement this section and establish criteria for approving
  contracts under Subsection (a).
         SECTION 3.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall
  adopt rules required by Section 35.153, Utilities Code, as added by
  this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.