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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the criteria for determining the electric need for |
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certain transmission projects. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 37.056, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (c)(4)(F) to read as follows: |
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(F) to the extent applicable, the effect of |
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granting the certificate on the ability of this state to meet the |
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goal established by Section 39.904(a) of this title the need to |
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extend transmission service into regions where existing and |
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projected load, as defined in (c-1) of this section, is or will be |
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underserved, including areas where existing transmission service |
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is unreasonably remote, available capacity is unreasonably limited |
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at transmission or distribution voltage, or load cannot be timely |
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interconnected. |
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SECTION 2. Section 37.056, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (c-1) to read as follow: |
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(c-1) In considering the need for additional service under |
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Subsection (c)(2) for a reliability transmission project that |
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serves the ERCOT power region, the commission must consider the |
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historical load, forecasted load growth, and additional load |
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currently seeking interconnection as determined by the utility |
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certificated to serve the load, which may include load that has not |
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yet signed an interconnection agreement. |
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Section 3. Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is amended by adding |
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Subsection 39.161 to read as follows: |
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39.161. Regions with Rapid Customer Demand Growth. If the |
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commission identifies a region of the state where transmission |
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capacity is insufficient to serve existing and projected load, as |
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reasonably determined by the certificated utility, it shall develop |
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and implement a plan to reliably serve forecasted customer demand |
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in a timely manner. Such a plan shall include considerations to |
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ensure timely planning and approval of necessary transmission |
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improvements. The commission shall develop a plan under this |
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section for the Permian Basin region no later than January 30, 2024. |
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Section 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |