Texas House Bill HB632

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/23/09

Caption

Relating to the requirement that retail water and utility services adopt an emergency preparedness plan for use during a local power outage; providing an administrative penalty.

Impact

The introduction of HB 632 will significantly influence regulations governing retail public utilities, as it compels these companies to adopt specific emergency preparedness strategies. By enforcing the use of auxiliary generators, the bill seeks to safeguard the provision of water and sewer services, thereby enhancing public health and safety. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will be responsible for establishing compliance standards and inspection schedules to ensure these regulations are met effectively.

Summary

House Bill 632 mandates that retail water and utility services in Texas maintain auxiliary power generators to ensure service continuity during local power outages. This bill specifically requires that these services can provide adequate water pressure and sewer services even when the local electricity supply is disrupted. The implementation of such a requirement aims to enhance emergency preparedness for public utilities, ultimately promoting the reliability of essential services during unforeseen circumstances.

Contention

While HB 632 aims to address crucial public utility reliability issues, it may also provoke discussions regarding the financial implications for utility providers. Critics might argue that the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining auxiliary generators could lead to increased rates for consumers. Additionally, there may be concerns about how rigorously the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will implement its inspection and compliance protocols, which could affect the level of service residents experience during power outages.