Texas House Bill HB3345

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to this state's goal for energy efficiency.

Impact

This legislation introduces a range of requirements for electric utilities, including annual goals for energy savings relevant to their peak demand. It mandates that each utility must create programs to encourage participation from retail electric providers, allowing a broader participation in energy efficiency initiatives. Additionally, the bill aims to develop a market transformation program, encouraging utilities to produce a specific amount of load-proportionate renewable energy, which marks a significant step towards broader renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency among Texas consumers.

Summary

House Bill 3345 aims to enhance energy efficiency in the state of Texas by amending various provisions in the Utilities Code. The central goal of the bill is to foster a competitive market for energy efficiency programs managed by electric utilities. By requiring utilities to administer incentive programs in a non-discriminatory manner, the bill seeks to ensure that all customer classes, including residential and commercial entities, have access to energy efficiency options and demand-side renewable energy systems without restrictions imposed by competitive services offered by the utilities themselves. This framework is designed to help reduce energy consumption and peak demand effectively.

Contention

While supporters of HB3345 argue it is a necessary step for regulating and promoting energy efficiency, there remain discussions regarding the feasibility and potential bureaucracy involved in these new requirements. Critics might express concerns that the bill could lead to uneven compliance and resource allocation among different utilities, resulting in disparities in service effectiveness. Furthermore, questions may arise regarding whether smaller utilities can meet the imposed standards without placing excessive burdens on their operational capacities.