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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the approval of a certificate of convenience and |
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necessity for certain transmission projects. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. It is the intent of the legislature that the |
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economic transmission planning required by this Act provides cost |
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savings for consumers. |
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SECTION 2. Section 37.056, Utilities Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to read as follows: |
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(d-1) In addition to the criteria described by Subsections |
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(c) and (d), the commission by rule shall establish supplemental |
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multi-decade transmission planning criteria for granting a |
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certificate for a transmission project that serves the ERCOT power |
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region and that is not necessary to meet state or federal |
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reliability standards. The criteria must provide for an evaluation |
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of potential savings for customers using methods such as discount |
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rates, hurdle rates, averaging costs over a reasonable number of |
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years, or scenario planning or any other method the commission |
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considers appropriate. The commission shall include with the |
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commission's decision on an application for a certificate to which |
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this subsection applies the commission's findings on the |
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multi-decade transmission planning criteria. |
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(d-2) The commission may use an evaluation of a proposed |
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transmission project conducted by the independent organization |
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certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region using the |
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criteria developed under Subsection (d) or (d-1) when considering |
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whether to grant a certificate for a transmission project. |
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SECTION 3. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall |
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adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by |
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Section 37.056(d-1), Utilities Code, as added by this Act, not |
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later than September 1, 2026. |
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SECTION 4. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall |
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direct the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power |
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region under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, to take any action |
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necessary for the implementation of the changes in law made by this |
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Act not later than September 1, 2026. |
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SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and |
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necessity that commences on or after September 1, 2026. A |
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proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and |
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necessity that commenced before that date is governed by the law in |
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effect on the date the proceeding is commenced, and that law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |