By: Carona S.B. No. 1434
(Geren)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain low-income weatherization programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsection (f), Section 39.905, Utilities Code,
is amended to read as follows:
(f) Unless funding is provided under Section 39.903, each
unbundled transmission and distribution utility shall include in
its energy efficiency plan a targeted low-income energy efficiency
program as described by Section 39.903(f)(2), and the savings
achieved by the program shall count toward the transmission and
distribution utility's energy efficiency goal. The commission
shall determine the appropriate level of funding to be allocated to
both targeted and standard offer low-income energy efficiency
programs in each unbundled transmission and distribution utility
service area. The level of funding for low-income energy
efficiency programs shall be provided from money approved by the
commission for the transmission and distribution utility's energy
efficiency programs. The commission shall ensure that annual
[total] expenditures for the [both] targeted [and standard offer]
low-income energy efficiency programs of each unbundled
transmission and distribution utility are not less than 10 percent
of the transmission and distribution utility's energy efficiency
budget for the year. A targeted low-income energy efficiency
program must comply with the same audit requirements that apply to
federal weatherization subrecipients [will be based on the amount
spent by the transmission and distribution utility on the
commission's hard to reach program in calendar year 2003]. In an
energy efficiency cost recovery factor proceeding related to
expenditures under this subsection, the commission shall make
findings of fact regarding whether the utility meets requirements
imposed under this subsection [This level of funding for low-income
energy efficiency programs shall be provided from money approved by
the commission for the transmission and distribution utility's
energy efficiency programs]. The state agency that administers the
federal weatherization assistance program shall provide reports as
required by the commission to provide the most current information
available on energy and peak demand savings achieved in each
transmission and distribution utility service area. The agency
shall participate in energy efficiency cost recovery factor
proceedings related to expenditures under this subsection to ensure
that targeted low-income weatherization programs are consistent
with federal weatherization programs and adequately funded.
SECTION 2. 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, 2011.