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20 Document(s) [ Subject: Electric%20Reliability%20Council%20of%20Texas ]

Committee: Senate Business and Commerce
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: 911 emergency telephone service | Blockchain technology | Broadband infrastructure | Digital currencies | Economy | Electric power plants | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electricity supplies | Electronic security | State employees | Telecommuters | Traffic | Universal Service Fund |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 B963
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 639 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Broadband and Telecommunications: Study broadband and other telecommunications related issues impacting Texans, including:
  • Monitoring the implementation of HB 5, 87th R.S., and HB 1505, 87th R.S.; discuss anticipated federal infrastructure funding dedicated to broadband initiatives;
  • Reviewing the Texas Universal Service Fund and reporting what, if any, changes should be made through a review of both the fund's contributions and disbursements, as well as the impact of technology on the long-term stability of the Texas Universal Service Fund; and
  • Monitoring the implementation of HB 2911, 87th R.S., relating to next generation 9-1-1 service and the establishment of a next generation 9-1-1 service fund.
2. Supply Chains: Examine the causes and impacts of recent supply chain disruptions on the Texas economy and individual industries. Study the factors that weaken links in the supply chain and the extent the pandemic has exposed those vulnerabilities. Recommend actions to strengthen the supply chain in Texas and mitigate disruptions in the future.
3. Blockchain and Virtual Currencies: Study current state and federal regulations surrounding blockchain and virtual currencies. Examine how these technologies impact industries such as banking, business, and electricity. Make recommendations to protect consumers while encouraging innovation. Monitor the implementation of HB 1576, 87th R.S., and HB 4474, 87th R.S.
4. Electricity: Assess the electricity market in Texas. Study issues impacting the Texas electric grid, including weather preparedness, transmission planning, maintenance scheduling, and the natural gas supply chain. Study the consequences of increased electric vehicle usage and charging on the generation, transmission and distribution, and retail sectors of Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and evaluate their potential impact on increased electric demand and reliability of the grid. Evaluate potential benefits of real-time transparency of the intrastate gas market with respect to the functions of ERCOT and the Texas Energy Reliability Council. Examine the growth of renewable energy generation in the state and evaluate its impact on grid reliability. Make recommendations to strengthen the reliability of the grid, and meet the future generation needs of ERCOT through new and existing dispatchable generation. Assess plans to expeditiously add new dispatchable generation. Monitor the implementation of SB 2, 87th R.S., and SB 3, 87th R.S.
5. Cybersecurity: Review current state and federal laws regarding cybersecurity protections and requirements for local governments, state agencies, and critical industries of our state. Make recommendations for legislation to improve resilience and protection against cybersecurity attacks and ensure the privacy protection of the citizens of Texas.
6. State Workforce: Study where state employees are located and the benefits and drawbacks of remote working. Evaluate the impact of the potential growth of remote work and proximity of employees to their place of employment on traffic studies over the next 10 years. Study and make recommendations for establishing uniform statewide standards for remote work. Study possible implications and standards for statewide recruitment and employment of remote state employees from all parts of the state.
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:
  • HB 5, 87th R.S., relating to the expansion of broadband services to rural areas;
  • HB 1505, 87th R.S., relating to attachments for broadband service on utility poles owned by an electric cooperative and establishing and funding a pole replacement program for deployment of certain broadband facilities;
  • SB 2, 87th R.S., relating to the governance of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; and
  • SB 3, 87th R.S., relating to preparing for, preventing, and responding to weather emergencies and power outages. (Joint charge with Committee on Energy Resources)
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: Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Aerospace industry | Air pollution | Air quality | Carbon dioxide | Clean Air Act | Economic development | Economic development incentives | Electric power plants | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Environmental permits | Environmental protection | Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Ground level ozone | Oil fields | School districts | Spaceports | SpaceX | State administrative hearings | Tax incentives | Texas Emissions Reduction Plan | Theft |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 N219E
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [155 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Implementation of Federal Regulations: Study the impact and identify challenges Texas faces implementing proposed federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations, including, but not limited to the Clean Power Plan, Reduction of Methane & Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from oil and gas facilities, Ozone standards, Regional Haze, and Waters of the U.S. Make recommendations for legislative or constitutional action the committee considers necessary.
2. Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP): Study and make recommendations regarding the use of Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) funds, including reducing air emissions from mobile sources in response to changes in ozone standards.
3. Economic Development: Evaluate the effectiveness and necessity of programs and resources currently used to support economic development in Texas. Make recommendations regarding continuation of effective strategies, modification of existing administrative or regulatory barriers, and the reduction or elimination of ineffective programs.
4. Expedited Permitting: Evaluate the permitting process in Texas and neighboring states and make recommendations for eliminating unnecessary barriers and expediting the process to ensure that the regulatory process is consistent and predictable.
5. ERCOT/PUC Electricity Issues: Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. In this oversight and monitoring, the committee should: 1) identify and recommend opportunities to streamline programs or services and enhance grid safety while maintaining the mission of ERCOT and PUC and their programs; and 2) identify barriers ERCOT or PUC may have in their governance that may be appropriate to improve or eliminate.
6. Oil Field Theft: Study and make recommendations for solving the oil field theft problems facing Texas, including identifying the proper mechanisms for increasing enforcement effectiveness.
7. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development during the 84th R.S. and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1)Legislation relating to Texas aerospace incentives; 2) Expedited permitting; and 3) Electric utility rate adjustments.
Committee: House Environmental Regulation
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Administrative Hearings, State Office of | Air pollution | Carbon dioxide | Coal-fired power plants | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utilities | Electricity supplies | Environmental permits | Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Manufacturing | State administrative hearings |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 en89
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [39 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the environmental permitting processes at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), specifically the contested-case hearing process at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and the timelines associated with the process. Study the economic impact that the state's permitting processes have on Texas manufacturing sectors and how neighboring states' and the federal permitting processes and timelines compare to those in Texas.
2. 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.
3. Review the Environmental Protection Agency's newly proposed Clean Power Plan to determine the potential impact the proposed federal rule would have on Texas. Specifically, the Committee should examine how the proposed emissions reductions would impact the reliability of the state's electricity generation, the potential impact on the price of retail electricity and its affordability, and the potential impact on the economic development of the state. Additionally, the Committee should review the state's renewable energy and energy efficiency standards to determine if they are capable of contributing to meeting any proposed emissions reductions and determine what changes, if any, to these policies could help facilitate meeting the proposed emissions reductions.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Environmental Regulation
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 29, 2014 (Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Clean Power Plan)
Library Call Number:
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View document [101 pages  File size: 3,803 kb]
Committee: House Environmental Regulation
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, September 30, 2014 (Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Clean Power Plan)
Library Call Number:
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View document [190 pages  File size: 18,577 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:
  • Compare Texas' homeowners insurance premiums with those of other states and identify the factors underlying Texas' premium levels and recommend steps that the Legislature may take to reduce homeowners' rates, if appropriate;
  • Study strategies that increase awareness of state insurance resources to help consumers compare rates and coverage among various insurance providers
  • Study the relationship between insurance premiums and construction costs, especially as associated with recovery from natural disasters, to ensure that consumers are treated fairly;
  • Review the use by insurers, in rating and underwriting decisions, of customer inquiries regarding the general terms or conditions of, or coverage offered under, an insurance policy.
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: House State Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Broadband infrastructure | Cable telecommunications providers | Comptroller of Public Accounts campaigns and elections | Computer networks | Computers | Council on Competitive Government | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utilities | Electricity supplies | Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. | Facilities Commission, Texas | Health and Human Services Commission, Texas | Information Resources, Texas Department of | Mercury | Occupational licenses | Privatization | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Railroad Commission of Texas | Rules and regulations | State agencies | State government contracts | State land | State purchasing | Transboundary pollution |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 St29h
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [78 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the issue of resource adequacy in the Texas electricity market, federal and state interventions in the marketplace that may be negatively impacting future adequacy, and the best way to maintain resource adequacy.
2. Examine whether current law ensures broadband provider access to an electric cooperative's utility poles and facilities pursuant to reasonable, cost-based, and nondiscriminatory rates, terms, and conditions. Study methods for improving access to electric cooperative utility poles to reduce unnecessary costs and delays for the delivery of broadband service to Texas consumers.
3. Examine areas of potential privatization of state services in an effort to achieve a higher level of service and greater efficiency for Texas taxpayers. (Joint with the House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform)
4. Identify inefficiencies in the regulation of public utilities in order to minimize the cost of regulation to consumers.
5. Examine methods of cloud computing technology to streamline agency operations and generate greater efficiencies for more cost-effective operations. (Joint with the House Committee on Technology)
6. Examine state agency rulemaking and consider ways to improve procedural efficiencies and public transparency, and to better inform policymakers as to their use, purpose, and cost-effectiveness, including an examination of the financial and other impacts such regulations have on both the license holder and the public. (Joint with the House Committee on Government Efficiency & Reform)
7. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction, including the implementation of SB 1048 regarding public-private partnerships on state-owned property.
8. Study how businesses seeking to provide goods or services to the state interact with state agencies. Consider whether additional procedures are needed to ensure that goods and services obtained by the state are the best value. Determine whether additional disclosure and reporting requirements are necessary to ensure transparency, accountability, and to promote ethical business practices.
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:
  • The capacity and efficiency of the claims filing and benefits delivery system as well as the ability of the agency to meet the needs of the clients it serves given the transition to call centers and web based filing;
  • The current financing scheme for the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, and any options to improve the long term financial health and stability of the Fund;
  • The use of debit cards for delivery of UI benefits, including ways to limit user fees to access payments; and
  • Improving public access to local and statewide data on current and historical UI claims.
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 Regulated Industries
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Regulated Industries, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2006 : a report to the House of Representatives, 80th Texas Legislature
Subjects: Alternative energy | Cable telecommunications providers | Coal-fired power plants | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utility deregulation | Energy policy | Nuclear power plants | Providers of last resort | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Rights of way | Telecommunications deregulation | Underground utility lines |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 R265
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [29 pages  File size: 7,157 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Gather and review information on the generation capacity and fuel diversity of the Texas electric market. Recommend changes to Texas law that would encourage new investment and technological innovation in emerging energy fields, such as clean coal and next generation nuclear technologies.
2. Examine the effects of retail competition on the Texas electric market including provider of last resort options for residential customers. Recommend changes to Texas law, including incentives for market participants and residential customers.
3. Monitor the implementation of the state-issued cable and video franchise system. Recommend updates that would further encourage competition and economic investment in the Texas broadband cable and video market.
4. Research and report on the transition to competition of incumbent telecommunications providers in Texas, and examine the effects of deregulation on local level competition, pricing and service offerings. Recommend changes to Texas law that would support further deregulation of the Texas telecommunications market.
5. Study the current repayment mechanism to the county or municipality for utility relocations in the public rights-of-way. Report on the number of relocations statewide each year, total estimated costs for relocations, associated impacts with relocations, and possible alternative systems for funding utility relocations and associated impacts.
6. Review current industry mechanisms used to provide compensation to municipalities for use of the public rights-of-way, specifically whether all inter-modal communications providers receive equal treatment under the current system, and whether all providers of communications services pay for use of the public rights-of-way. Recommend possible alternative compensation systems.
7. Examine the feasibility of additional nuclear generated power in Texas, focusing on supply and demand issues, current state nuclear projects, and possible federal government assistance. (Joint interim charge with energy resources)
8. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
9. Examine issues related to the creation and purchase of out-of-state renewable energy credits by non-ERCOT Texas utilities and determine possible alternatives for establishing a regional approach that does not allow the double-counting of renewable energy credits for non-ERCOT utilities to meet their renewable goals.
Committee: Senate Business and Commerce
Title: Interim Report - Electric Utility Restructuring and Renewables
Library Catalog Title: Electric utility restructuring and renewables : interim report to the 79th Texas Legislature
Subjects: Alternative energy | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utility deregulation | Wind energy |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 B963er
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [42 pages  File size: 1,132 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and make recommendations on improving the on-going implementation of SB7, 76th R.S., with particular emphasis on evaluation of the following: "price to beat," and the implementation of claw-back provisions for residential and small commercial customers, including on-going requests to adjust fuel factors; adequacy and effectiveness of Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and its management structure; cost-effectiveness and fairness of congestion management mechanisms; delivery of power in areas outside of the ERCOT network; stability of the System Benefit Fund; and final calculation of stranded costs under the "true-up" provisions.
2. Study and make recommendations relating to improving the potential for further renewable energy development in Texas and the effectiveness of current policies encouraging the use of renewable energy sources. This study should focus on the State's capacity for wind generation, current efforts by the General Land Office to commercialize wind generation on state lands, and solutions to the constraints on utilizing wind potential to its fullest. Include an analysis of state and federal mandates, federal tax credits, wind potential, transmission constraints, economics of electricity production and delivery, and environmental considerations.
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: House Regulated Industries
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Texas House of Representatives, 79th Legislature
Subjects: Air pollution control technology | Alternative energy | Broadband infrastructure | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utility deregulation | Fuel cells | Rights of way | State government reorganization | Telecommunications infrastructure | Wind energy |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 R265
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [64 pages  File size: 533 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Gather and review information on the overall status of the telecommunications market in Texas, including the effects of inter-modal competition and emerging technologies. Recommend changes to Texas law to encourage new investment and technological innovation consistent with market-oriented public policies and the interests of Texas families and businesses. Gather and review information on the Federal Communications Commission Triennial Review and recommend adjustments to Texas law.
2. Study broadband service deployment, including other state's models used to transition to a fully competitive communications marketplace and any new technologies of competitive providers.
3. Study the process of economic dispatch and determine possible methods to improve the competitive electric utilities market and reduce costs and pollution caused by inefficient power plants.
4. Examine issues related to access to rights-of-way and easements to ensure state laws encourage non-discriminatory access for all broadband service providers regardless of technology used to offer the service or the regulatory status of the provider.
5. Examine the reliability of electric utility service and review authority and structure of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
6. Study the size and scope of the various broadband infrastructure platforms (e.g. cable, satellite, fixed wireless, DSL) in the state and how each are regulated under both state and federal law.
7. Determine how investment in broadband networks by both competitive local exchange carriers and incumbent local exchange providers can be encouraged through public policy changes.
8. Examine the benefits and challenges associated with alternative forms of energy generation technologies, such as wind and hydrogen fuel cells, and what if any state government involvement should be considered. (Joint interim charge with Energy Resources Committee)
9. Monitor agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction, including identifying possible ways to merge or streamline agency functions to produce long-term financial benefit to the state and better efficiency of the agencies.
Committee: Joint Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the 77th Legislature / Electric Utility Restructuring Legislative Oversight Committee.
Subjects: Alternative energy | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electric utility deregulation | Electric utility stranded costs and refunds | Providers of last resort | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Renewable energy |
Library Call Number: L1836.76 el25
Session: 76th R.S. (1999)
Online version: View report [130 pages  File size: 1,121 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. The Joint Committee on Oversight of Electric Utility Restructuring was created by SB 7, 76th R.S.. The committee is charged with overseeing the implementation of SB 7, 76th Legislature, the electric utility restructuring bill, and monitoring its effectiveness. Under SB 7, 76th Legislature, the electric utility market will be opened to competition by January 2002. The joint committee includes five members of the Texas Senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor, and five members of the Texas House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker. The committee is chaired by Sen. David Sibley and Rep. Steve Wolens, authors of SB 7, 76th Legislature.
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]

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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