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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to electric grid resiliency measures, including a study by |
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the Public Utility Commission of Texas of the cost of burying |
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overhead power lines. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "commission" means the |
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Public Utility Commission of Texas. |
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(b) The commission shall evaluate: |
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(1) the potential costs of burying existing overhead |
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power lines in seacoast territory, as defined by Section 2210.003, |
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Insurance Code; and |
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(2) the potential costs of burying all existing |
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overhead power lines in this state. |
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(c) The commission shall submit a report of the results of |
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the study conducted under Subsection (b) of this section and any |
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associated recommendations to the legislature not later than |
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December 31, 2026. |
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(d) This section expires January 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 38.080 and 38.081 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 38.080. WOODEN POLE REPLACEMENT IN SEACOAST TERRITORY. |
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(a) The commission by rule shall require an electric utility |
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operating in seacoast territory, as defined by Section 2210.003, |
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Insurance Code, to: |
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(1) replace all wooden transmission or distribution |
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poles in the service area of the utility in seacoast territory |
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before January 1, 2045; and |
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(2) not later than September 1, 2026, submit to the |
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commission a plan for the replacement. |
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(b) Each plan must prioritize the replacement of poles: |
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(1) located within 10 miles of the coast; or |
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(2) that serve critical infrastructure facilities, as |
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defined by Section 424.001, Government Code. |
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Sec. 38.081. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE AND REPORTING. |
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(a) Each electric utility shall submit to the commission a |
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vegetation management plan that provides for the clearing at least |
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every three years of trees, tree limbs, and other vegetative growth |
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from utility line easements and utility structures in the entire |
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service area of the utility. |
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(b) Each electric utility shall establish: |
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(1) a procedure for a customer to request vegetation |
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management service; and |
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(2) a procedure to ensure the performance of a service |
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requested under Subdivision (1) not later than the 30th day after |
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the date the customer makes the request, unless the requested |
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service cannot legally or safely be performed. |
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(c) The commission by rule may adopt a standard vegetation |
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management service request procedure for the purposes of this |
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section. |
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(d) Not later than May 1 of each year, each electric utility |
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shall submit to the commission a report describing the utility's |
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vegetation management activities. |
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SECTION 3. Section 38.101(a), Utilities Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Not later than May 1 of each year, each electric utility |
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shall submit to the commission a report describing the utility's |
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activities related to: |
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(1) identifying areas that are susceptible to damage |
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during severe weather and hardening transmission and distribution |
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facilities in those areas; and |
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(2) [vegetation management; and |
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[(3)] inspecting distribution poles. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |