81R6072 KFF-D
By: Ortiz, Jr. H.B. No. 1652
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to use of money from the Texas Enterprise Fund or the Texas
emerging technology fund to promote alternative energy sources and
energy efficiency technologies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 481.078, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (k) and (l) to read as follows:
(k) At least 20 percent of the total amount of grants made
from the fund must be to fund the establishment and expansion of
enterprises in this state that have as their primary purpose:
(1) the provision of energy derived from alternative
energy sources; or
(2) the conservation of energy resources through
energy efficiency technology.
(l) For purposes of Subsection (k):
(1) "Alternative energy source" means an energy
source, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy,
and wind energy, that does not depend on nuclear fuel or
nonrenewable fossil fuel.
(2) "Energy efficiency technology" means technology
that is aimed at reducing the rate at which electric energy is used
by equipment or processes and may be achieved by:
(A) substituting more advanced equipment to
produce the same level of end-use services with less electricity;
(B) adopting technology and processes that
reduce heat or other energy losses; or
(C) reorganizing processes to make use of waste
heat.
SECTION 2. Section 490.151, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read
as follows:
(a) Subject to Subsection (c), amounts [Amounts] allocated
from the fund for use as provided by this subchapter shall be
reserved for incentives for private or nonprofit entities to
collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education
in this state on emerging technology projects with a demonstrable
economic benefit to this state.
(c) The governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
house of representatives shall ensure that at least 30 percent of
the amounts allocated from the fund for use as provided by this
subchapter shall be used for initiatives that promote alternative
energy sources or energy efficiency technologies.
(d) In this section:
(1) "Alternative energy source" means an energy
source, including solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy,
and wind energy, that does not depend on nuclear fuel or
nonrenewable fossil fuel.
(2) "Energy efficiency technology" means technology
that is aimed at reducing the rate at which electric energy is used
by equipment or processes and may be achieved by:
(A) substituting more advanced equipment to
produce the same level of end-use services with less electricity;
(B) adopting technology and processes that
reduce heat or other energy losses; or
(C) reorganizing processes to make use of waste
heat.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.