| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to a study of the effects of the installation, operation, |
|
|
removal, and disposal of solar, wind turbine, and energy storage |
|
|
equipment. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "commission" means |
|
|
the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. |
|
|
SECTION 2. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF INSTALLATION, OPERATION, |
|
|
REMOVAL, AND DISPOSAL OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT. (a) The commission |
|
|
shall conduct a study on the current and potential effects of the |
|
|
installation, operation, removal, and disposal of solar, wind |
|
|
turbine, and energy storage equipment on the environment and |
|
|
watersheds. |
|
|
(b) In conducting the study under this section, the |
|
|
commission shall consult with: |
|
|
(1) the Department of Agriculture; |
|
|
(2) the Texas A&M Forest Service; |
|
|
(3) the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; |
|
|
(4) the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; |
|
|
(5) groundwater conservation districts; and |
|
|
(6) river authorities. |
|
|
(c) The commission may enter into a memorandum of |
|
|
understanding with a university or foundation to assist with the |
|
|
study. |
|
|
(d) Not later than December 1, 2024, the commission shall |
|
|
submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the |
|
|
house of representatives a report that includes the findings of the |
|
|
study conducted under this section. |
|
|
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025. |
|
|
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2023. |