Tennessee Senate Bill SB1181

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 7; Title 64; Title 65 and Title 68, relative to utilities.

Impact

The potential impacts of SB1181 include establishing clearer regulations for electric utilities in the context of emergencies or system overload situations, particularly with regard to healthcare facilities such as hospitals. This prioritization may help ensure that essential services remain functional during critical times, thereby promoting public health and safety. The enforcement of this bill will lie with the comptroller of the treasury and state commissions, which will be tasked with developing rules under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.

Summary

Senate Bill 1181 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning utilities, specifically focusing on prioritizing electric service provisions for healthcare facilities during load management scenarios. The bill defines 'load management' as the process of balancing electricity supply and controlling load rather than modifying the power station output. By placing healthcare facilities at a priority level for electricity availability, SB1181 attempts to ensure they remain operational during potential electricity shortages or constrained supply situations.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB1181 may arise from how these prioritization policies might affect non-healthcare sectors, particularly during times of energy crises. Critics may argue that setting healthcare facilities as a priority could lead to other essential services and facilities receiving less reliable power, thus highlighting a potential conflict in resource allocation during emergencies. The bill's structure is designed to centralize enforcement while potentially interacting with other laws regarding the provision and regulation of utilities, creating a landscape ripe for debate.