Subject search results
16 Document(s) [ Subject: Electricity transmission and distribution ]
Committee: | House State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Broadband infrastructure | Electric power plants | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electricity transmission and distribution | Power outages | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Rural Internet access | Weatherization | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.87 St29h | |
Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
Online version: | View report [78 pages File size: 989 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
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2. | Examine the efforts of power generation facilities to weatherize their facilities. | |
3. | Review the status of projects intended to reduce transmission congestion within the electrical grid. | |
Supporting documents | ||
Committee: | House State Affairs | |
Title: | Committee meeting testimony, June 23, 2022 | |
Library Call Number: | ||
Session: | 87th R.S. (2021) | |
Online version: | View document [7 pages File size: 92 kb] | |
Committee: | House State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Anonymous campaign contributions | Campaign finance and expenditure reports | Campaign finance reform | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electricity supplies | Electricity transmission and distribution | Enhanced driver licenses | Environmental cleanup | Environmental compliance | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Government transparency | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Railroad Commission of Texas | Real ID Act | State government contracts | Undocumented immigrants | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.83 St29h | |
Session: | 83rd R.S. (2013) | |
Online version: | View report [56 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the methods state agencies use for planning for investment in future infrastructure. Specifically, review how agencies determine what investments in infrastructure will be necessary to meet the state's demands and facilitate continued economic expansion. Review how agencies determine the costs and benefits associated with future infrastructure investment to ensure that the citizens of the state are receiving the best value and what other factors agencies use to make investment decisions. | |
2. | Study Title 15 of the Election Code, which regulates political funds and campaigns, including requirements for financial reports by campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and political committees. Specifically, study what types of groups are exempt from reporting requirements in the Election Code and make recommendations on how to make the political process more transparent. | |
3. | Study the different financial assurance options used by state agencies to ensure compliance with environmental clean-up or remediation costs. Determine whether the methods utilized by state agencies are appropriate to ensure sufficient funds will be available when called upon. | |
4. | Review state agency contracting with businesses seeking to provide goods and services to the state. Study the procedures agencies use to determine the costs versus benefits when evaluating proposals. Determine whether additional disclosure and reporting requirements are necessary to ensure transparency and accountability and to promote ethical business practices. | |
5. | Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs. | |
Committee: | Senate Business and Commerce | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Subjects: | Alternative energy | Broadband infrastructure | Building codes | Consumer credit and debt | Consumer Credit Commissioner, Office of | Credit service organizations | Droughts | Electric meters | Electric power plants | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utilities | Electric utility deregulation | Electricity supplies | Electricity transmission and distribution | Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. | Homeowners insurance | Insurance, Texas Department of | Job training programs | Lifeline | Municipally-owned utilities | Occupational licenses | Rural areas | Subprime lending | Telecommunications | Telecommunications deregulation | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Universal Service Fund | Water and wastewater utility rates and charges | Workforce | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.83 B963 | |
Session: | 82nd R.S. (2011) | |
Online version: | View report [222 pages] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the impact of drought, regulatory changes proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, and changing market conditions on Texas' electrical market. Make recommendations, if needed to ensure continued access to reliable and affordable electricity. * | |
2. | Assess the impact of extreme drought conditions on electric generation capacity. | |
3. | Identify those regions of Texas that will be most affected by a lack of capacity. | |
4. | Analyze response plans and make recommendations to improve and expedite those plans. | |
5. | Study and make recommendations for workforce training programs in Texas to ensure that such programs meet business and worker needs. Specifically, study whether such programs target economic growth areas and future workforce needs of the health care, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, and information technology industries and help retain workers in those trades and fields. | |
6. | Study the state's approach to licensing and regulation of occupations to ensure protection of public welfare, trust, health, and safety and eliminate unnecessary, overly restrictive, or anti-competitive regulation. Review guidelines and other states' approaches for determining when regulation is necessary and make recommendations for improving Texas' regulatory system. | |
7. | Conduct a broad review of the Texas homeowners insurance market and make recommendations to improve transparency and consumer education, ensure fair practices, and lower rates. Specifically, consider the following:
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8. | Study the relationship between city governments and municipally-owned utilities, including any duplicative or redundant functions, the amounts and justifications required for transfer payments between the entities, and the benefits and disadvantages of alternative governance structures. | |
9. | Analyze the state of the telecommunications market in Texas, including the costs and benefits of full deregulation of the market; the impact and viability of the Texas Universal Service Fund and Provider of Last Resort requirements; the impact of SB 980, Regular Session, 82nd Legislature, relating to telecommunications regulation and rulemaking; the availability of broadband; telecommunications service discounts; and rights-of-way charges. Make recommendations to enhance services, support the industry, and ensure adequate and affordable access for consumers. | |
10. | Review current and pending ERCOT protocols as they apply to all generation technology, and identify those protocols that may provide operational, administrative, or competitive advantages to any specific generation by fuel type. Consider the impact any revisions to the protocols may have on grid reliability and electricity rates. Make recommendations for revisions or statutory changes to limit distortions in the Texas electrical market. | |
11. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, review the implementation of HB 2592 and HB 2594 relating to payday lending, and make recommendations relating to consistency and coordination with local ordinances and federal law. | |
12. | Study whether advanced meters, or smart meters, that have been, and will be, installed in Texas have harmful effects on health. Report findings on whether an independent testing company perform an analysis on the safety of advanced meters should be commissioned and the appropriate organization to conduct such a study. | |
Committee: | Senate Business and Commerce | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the 82nd Legislature | |
Subjects: | Alternative energy | Career preparedness | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utilities | Electric utility rates and charges | Electricity transmission and distribution | Energy conservation | Homeowners insurance | Job training programs | Liens | Mortgages | Municipally-owned utilities | Natural disasters | Texas Windstorm Insurance Association | Unemployment benefits | Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund | Wind energy | Workforce | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.81 B963 | |
Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
Online version: | View report [84 pages File size: 2,897 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study the implementation of H.B. 4409 enacted by the 81st Legislature pertaining to the financing of insured losses in excess of premium and other revenue of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Assess the coverage and affordability of TWIA policies. Review the claims and payments processes and make recommendations to improve the stability of TWIA while enhancing services to clients. | |
2. | Study options for reducing demand for electricity, including innovative pricing options relating to the use of smart meters, programmable thermostats, and other demand side management and behavioral response strategies. Review current consumer education programs to reduce demand, decrease energy prices, and improve air quality. Consider benefits and costs of alternative energy sources such as geothermal and solar, and current incentives for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The study should include recommendations on improving consumer knowledge and usage of these strategies in lowering overall electric usage, promoting energy efficiency, and improving the reliability of the ERCOT grid. | |
3. | Study and make recommendations relating to the development and implementation of wind energy. Assess the total impact of wind energy, including additional costs to consumers, if any, buy-back provisions and pricing, the need for alternative energy sources at times when wind does not generate electricity, impact on the ERCOT grid, development of battery storage and other storage methods, and economic development impacts. | |
4. | Study the generation costs of municipally owned electric utilities' planned generation portfolios. Consider the impact of planned generation costs on electric rates for residential and commercial customers. Solicit input on the impact of future electric rates on charitable and non-profit organizations, and the impact on such organizations' cash assistance programs to indigent customers. Consider the merits of a justifiable planned generation cost standard, and whether a deviation above the standard should be subject to approval by a vote of all customers of a municipally owned utility's service area. | |
5. | Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Unemployment Compensation Insurance system, including, but not limited to, the following:
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6. | Study and make recommendations regarding career-focused education and workforce training programs in Texas to insure that such programs meet business and worker needs. Specifically, study whether such programs: meet the current and future workforce needs of health care, skilled trades, construction, manufacturing, aerospace, information technology and green jobs; help retain workers in such trades and fields; retrain and update the skills and education of workers in such trades and fields; and foster and encourage collaboration between the State, education, labor and business to provide education and training. | |
7. | Study the effectiveness of Chapter 557 of the Insurance Code, relating to insured property subject to a security interest, in setting forth the obligations of a lender and a residential real property insured resulting from an insurer's payment of a claim for damage to the residential real property caused by a natural disaster. Consider the legislation's requirements for release of the insurance proceeds, lienholder's approval of payment of the insurance proceeds, accrual and payment of interest on such proceeds and penalties provided by the statute. Make recommendations for any needed refinements of the legislation. | |
8. | Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, 81st Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. | |
Committee: | House State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on State Affairs, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 | |
Subjects: | Alternative energy | Climate change | Electric power plants | Electricity supplies | Electricity transmission and distribution | Energy conservation | State buildings | Undocumented immigrants | Water conservation | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.81 St29h | |
Session: | 81st R.S. (2009) | |
Online version: | View report [74 pages File size: 1,777 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Review state compliance with federal law regarding undocumented immigrants. Evaluate the costs of services and benefits provided to undocumented immigrants by state agencies and local governments. | |
2. | Examine state policy on "green" technologies for all state buildings and costs associated with such implementation. | |
3. | Monitor federal legislation and regulatory initiatives pertaining to climate change and its effects on utilities and consumers. Consider Texas' response to proposals and make recommendations as to any further preparations. | |
4. | Examine the state's portfolio of electric generation resources, including traditional sources, emerging renewable technologies, and energy efficiency. Determine whether the existing state regulatory programs and incentives are adequate to meet the energy needs of the future. Consider factors relating to reliability, requirements for additional transmission, or auxiliary services. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Energy Resources | |
5. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
Committee: | House Energy Resources | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on Energy Resources, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2008 : a report to the House of Representatives, 81st Texas Legislature | |
Subjects: | Abandoned oil wells | Abandoned property | Alternative energy | Biofuels | Carbon capture and sequestration | Carbon dioxide | Electricity transmission and distribution | Groundwater pollution | Natural gas | Natural gas drilling | Natural gas leases | Oil drilling | Oil leases | Railroad Commission of Texas | Texas Economic Development Act | Water quality management | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.80 En27 | |
Session: | 80th R.S. (2007) | |
Online version: | View report [45 pages File size: 172 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Examine issues related to electrical lines and abandoned equipment on oil and gas leases. | |
2. | Examine whether the Railroad Commission of Texas should regulate carbon capture. | |
3. | Discuss further the issue of financial assurance in relation to oil and gas wells, and evaluate the current bonding structure. | |
4. | Discuss alternative energy sources and how best to incorporate them into our traditional energy sector. Also study the potential benefits of biofuels in Texas, including Texas feedstocks best suited for biofuel production and synergies between that industry and traditional energy sectors. Develop recommendations for facilitating the growth of the biofuel industry in a manner that best positions Texas in the national market. | |
5. | Research ways to maintain ground water quality in relation to oil and gas exploration through economic incentives for innovative technology solutions. | |
6. | Study the use of the Texas Economic Development Act since its enactment as HB 1200, 77th R.S.. Determine how the act may be enhanced to better attract significant capital investments by science and technology industries developing alternative energy sources. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Economic Development.) | |
7. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
Committee: | House Transportation | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | House Committee on Transportation, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2006 : a report to the House of Representatives, 80th Texas Legislature | |
Subjects: | Air transportation | Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority | Border crossings | Border issues | Border transportation | Burlington Northern Santa Fe | Counties | Electricity transmission and distribution | Electronic surveillance | Eminent domain | Federal funds | International trade | Land use regulations | Motor vehicle dealers | Motor vehicles | Ports | Railroads | Rental companies | Rights of way | State budgets | Transportation planning | Transportation, Texas Department of | Underground utility lines | Union Pacific | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.79 T687 | |
Session: | 79th R.S. (2005) | |
Online version: | View report [63 pages File size: 12,744 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Review the regulation of utilities by the Texas Department of Transportation relating to utility access along the edge of the road right-of-way and placement of utility facilities along public road rights-of-way. Recommend strategies for the Public Utility Commission and the Department of Transportation to deliver assets of value to the state. | |
2. | Study the relationship between Texas Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Review the effectiveness and efficiency of the funding process for airports, and capacity needs for commercial and private demands. Examine further needs with regard to private and public airports. | |
3. | Examine the transportation planning coordination of land use, including planning for large transportation corridors. | |
4. | Research and study the permissibility of rental care companies to sell used rental motor vehicles on credit union premises and other locations not continuously used for the conduct of used rental motor vehicle sales. Analyze comparative laws from other states permitting such sales by rental car companies on premises other than those owned by the rental car companies. | |
5. | Consider the rail relocation needs of the major metropolitan areas of Texas. Identify possible funding sources. | |
6. | Study the economic infrastructure of the state's main trade corridors with special emphasis on the ability to enhance trade and transportation through increased use of technology. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Border and International Affairs) | |
7. | Study the current border and coastal transportation infrastructure and any enhancements needed to meet gorwing international trade and economic development. (Joint interim charge with the House Committee on Border and International Affairs) | |
8. | Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. | |
Committee: | Senate Business and Commerce | |
Title: | Interim Report - Security and Reliability of the Electric System in Texas | |
Library Catalog Title: | Joint interim report to the 79th Texas Legislature | |
Subjects: | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electricity transmission and distribution | Power outages | Public Utility Commission of Texas | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.78 B963e | |
Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
Online version: | View report [23 pages File size: 811 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Joint interim charge with the Infrastructure Development and Security Committee: 1. Study the possibility of whether a system failure in Texas could occur in a manner similar to the blackout that occurred in the northeastern United States. Include a review of the Texas electric system and make recommendations on ways to enhance the security and stability of the system. Review industry plans and procedures and determine their effectiveness in responding to system disruption. Study the transmission and distribution system in Texas and make recommendations on the policies to plan for and promote investment in future transmission needs. Coordinate Texas activities with those of the federal government, neighboring states and Mexico to ensure consistent system planning and responses. This study shall include non-ERCOT areas of Texas. | |
Committee: | Senate Infrastructure Development and Security | |
Title: | Interim Report - Security and Reliability of the Electric System in Texas | |
Library Catalog Title: | Joint interim report to the 79th Texas Legislature | |
Subjects: | Electricity transmission and distribution | Power outages | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.78 B963e | |
Session: | 78th R.S. (2003) | |
Online version: | View report [23 pages File size: 811 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Joint interim charge with the Senate Business and Commerce Committee: Study the possibility of whether a system failure in Texas could occur in a manner similar to the blackout that occurred in the northeastern United States. Include a review of the Texas electric system and make recommendations on ways to enhance the security and stability of the system. Review industry plans and procedures and determine their effectiveness in responding to system disruption. Study the transmission and distribution system in Texas and make recommendations on the policies to plan for and promote investment in future transmission needs. Coordinate Texas activities with those of the federal government, neighboring states and Mexico to ensure consistent system planning and responses. This study shall include non-ERCOT areas of Texas. | |
Committee: | House State Affairs | |
Title: | Interim Report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the Texas House of Representatives, 78th Legislature / Committee on State Affairs. | |
Subjects: | Broadband infrastructure | Building and Procurement Commission, Texas | Electricity supplies | Electricity transmission and distribution | General Services Commission, Texas | Homeland security | Information Resources, Texas Department of | Rural issues | Telecommunications infrastructure | Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund | Terrorism | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.77 st29h | |
Session: | 77th R.S. (2001) | |
Online version: | View report [220 pages File size: 5,169 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Examine the deployment of advanced telecommunications services throughout Texas and evaluate possible state policies to ensure availability of broadband service to all Texans. Study barriers faced by rural and urban communities in obtaining advanced services and explore ways for these communities, the state and cities to secure the benefits of affordable broadband access to underserved citizens. | |
2. | Determine what, if any, broadband access is available to the citizens of each rural community of the state and to each inner-city community in the state. Together with the Public Utility Commission, or another agency or university of the state, establish a system for tracking broadband service offerings in rural and inner-city communities on an on-going basis. | |
3. | Gather information related to the security of state-owned buildings and facilities, public and private communications systems and electric generation and transmission facilities. Review government regulations and business practices to determine whether legislation is needed to protect life and property and to detect, interdict and respond to acts of terrorism. | |
4. | Review the activities and mission of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, assess the extent to which the Fund has met the goal of extending services to underserved client groups, and consider whether the need for the Fund's programs extends beyond the statutory termination. | |
5. | Review the laws and procedures governing the siting of electric transmission lines. Consider how the need for transmission lines is determined, how routes are selected, the technology selected for a given route, the interests of landowners on whose property the lines are sited, and the interests of consumers and the public in siting decisions. | |
6. | Actively monitor agencies and programs under the committee's oversight jurisdiction, including the transfer of functions and duties of the former General Services Commission to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission and the Department of Information Resources. | |
Committee: | Senate Electric Utility Restructuring, Interim | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the 76th Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Air quality | Alternative energy | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utility deregulation | Electric utility rates and charges | Electric utility stranded costs and refunds | Electricity transmission and distribution | Environmental protection | Providers of last resort | Public Utility Regulatory Act | Renewable energy | Wind energy | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.75 el25 | |
Session: | 75th R.S. (1997) | |
Online version: | View report [213 pages File size: 8,279 kb] | |
Charges: | This report should address the charges below. | |
1. | Study and determine any needed changes in the Public Utility Regulatory Act and related statutes to create a competitive Texas electric market that is open to all classes of retail customers. Such review shall include but not be limited to the following issues: | |
2. | An appropriate date for opening the market to direct end-use customer access, and whether a phase-in program for public schools or other governmental units is warranted | |
3. | Methods for quantification of a utility's investments that would be uneconomic in a fully competitive market (stranded costs) and appropriate methods for recovery of costs (including rate freezes, adjustments to depreciation, transition charges, securitization); | |
4. | Balancing rate reductions with recovery of stranded costs during the transition to a competitive market; | |
5. | The basic structural requirements for the competitive market to serve as an effective and efficient replacement for traditional regulation; | |
6. | Provisions for municipal and cooperative utilities recognizing the importance of maintaining local control of community-owned systems and protecting the financial integrity of cooperative and municipal utilities; | |
7. | Safeguards necessary for customer protection in a fully competitive marketplace (including designation of a provider of last resort, protections for low-income customers, obligations to be imposed on all providers, ability of providers to serve customers on an aggregated basis, and fair marketing and sales practices); | |
8. | System reliability and service quality standards needed to ensure safe and reliable power and the role of the independent system operator in a fully competitive market; | |
9. | Environmental issues relating to a competitive marketplace; | |
10. | Development of renewable energy resources such as windpower in a competitive marketplace; and | |
11. | Scope and nature of the continuing role of regulation in a deregulated electric power industry including oversight of market power. | |
12. | Make recommendations for legislative and regulatory action, if necessary. | |
Supporting documents | ||
Committee: | Senate Electric Utility Restructuring, Interim | |
Title: | Interim report - PUC comments | |
Library Catalog Title: | Public Utility Commission of Texas project no. 14789 : comments on low income and environmental program funding workshop for the requested studies by the Senate Interim Committee on Electric Utility Restructuring. | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.75 el25c | |
Session: | 75th R.S. (1997) | |
Committee: | Senate Electric Utility Restructuring, Interim | |
Title: | Interim report - Revenues | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the Texas Senate Interim Committee on Electric Utility Restructuring: revenues supporting low-income, energy efficiency, and environmental programs. | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.75 el25r | |
Session: | 75th R.S. (1997) | |
Online version: | View document [63 pages File size: 2,668 kb] | |
Committee: | Senate Electric Utility Restructuring, Interim | |
Title: | Interim report - Transmission system | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report to the Texas Senate Interim Committee on Electric Utility Restructuring : adequacy of the transmission system and the existence of must-run resources in a retail access environment. | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.75 el25a | |
Session: | 75th R.S. (1997) | |
Online version: | View document [84 pages File size: 4,112 kb] | |
Committee: | House Statewide Energy Plan, Select | |
Title: | Interim report | |
Library Catalog Title: | Report of the House Select Committee on Statewide Energy Plan, 70th Legislature : to the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 71st Legislature. | |
Subjects: | Electric power plants | Electric utilities | Electricity transmission and distribution | Energy policy | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Public Utility Regulatory Act | | |
Library Call Number: | L1836.70 en27p | |
Session: | 70th R.S. (1987) | |
Online version: | View report [25 pages File size: 878 kb] | |
Charge: | This report should address the charge below. | |
1. | Study the current status of the state's electrical power industry, as well as its potential role in promoting the revitalization of Texas through the development of a statewide energy plan. In addition to making recommendations concerning the legislative implementation of such a plan, the committee shall examine alternatives to methods currently used to generate and transmit electricity and evaluate rate-setting policies to ensure that all consumers receive electricity at the lowest possible cost. |
* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.
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