Texas Senate Bill SB1460

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 5/12/11
• Introduced: 3/10/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/24/11
• Refer: 3/22/11
• Report Pass: 5/12/11
• Engrossed: 5/24/11

Caption

Relating to energy savings performance contracts.

Impact

This legislation thereby amends various sections of the Texas Education Code and Local Government Code to clarify that entities can use different funding sources for energy savings performance contracts. By removing the requirement to pay solely from realized savings, the bill potentially accelerates the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in educational and governmental facilities. Consequently, this can lead to considerable long-term cost savings and sustainability improvements for the state.

Summary

SB1460 pertains to energy savings performance contracts, specifically within the context of educational and local governmental institutions in Texas. The bill allows the boards of trustees for school districts and other state agencies to utilize available funding, excluding state-borrowed money, to pay providers of energy or water conservation measures. The overarching intent is to encourage the implementation of energy efficiency improvements while ensuring that the cost of these measures can be offset through guaranteed savings in utility costs over a specified period.

Contention

While the bill is aimed at promoting environmental responsibility and cost efficiency, there may also be concerns about accountability and the effective use of resources. Critics might argue that without stringent oversight, local governments and school boards could misallocate funds directed towards these contracts. Further, the amendment does not detail how success will be measured beyond utility cost savings, which could lead to differing interpretations of project success across various districts.

Notable points

SB1460 emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the economic aspects of energy conservation are beneficial not only from a regulatory perspective but also from a practical implementation viewpoint. Notably, the timing of these provisions as part of broader efforts to enhance energy sustainability in response to a growing demand for eco-conscious practices within governmental operations could be a pivotal point during legislative discussions.