| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to prohibiting interconnection of an offshore wind power |
|
|
facility. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Title 6, Utilities Code, is amended by adding |
|
|
Chapter 301A to read as follows: |
|
|
CHAPTER 301A. OFFSHORE WIND POWER FACILITY |
|
|
Sec. 301A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this Chapter: |
|
|
(1) "Offshore" means located within the territorial |
|
|
sea, as defined by 33 CFR 2.22. |
|
|
(2) "Wind power facility" includes: |
|
|
(A) a wind turbine generator; and |
|
|
(B) a facility or equipment used to support the |
|
|
operation of a wind turbine generator, including an electrical |
|
|
transmission or communications line, an electric transformer, a |
|
|
battery storage facility, and energy storage facility, or |
|
|
telecommunications equipment. |
|
|
Sec. 301A.002. INTERCONNECTION PROHIBITED. The commission |
|
|
shall not approve interconnection of a wind power facility, |
|
|
transmission, or distribution facility located offshore, if the |
|
|
commission has reason to believe that such a facility may: |
|
|
(1) negatively impact previously established |
|
|
industries, violating preestablished community values relying on |
|
|
such industries, including but not limited to: |
|
|
(A) shipping routes; |
|
|
(B) general tourism; and |
|
|
(C) recreational and commercial fishing; |
|
|
(2) negatively impact environmental factors, including but |
|
|
not limited to: |
|
|
(A) general welfare of wildlife; and |
|
|
(B) disruption of migratory patterns; |
|
|
(3) present a risk to the life and safety of residents, |
|
|
nearby industries, and wildlife, if located within an area with |
|
|
historical exposure to natural disasters; or |
|
|
(4) be deemed unnecessary, in accordance with Section |
|
|
37.056, Public Utilities Code, due to lack of need for additional |
|
|
service and the presence of adequate existing services in the area |
|
|
adjacent to the offshore wind power facility. |
|
|
SECTION 2. 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, 2025. |