By: Watson S.B. No. 1539
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the goal of installing additional capacity for
generating renewable energy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 39.904(a) and (c), Utilities Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) It is the intent of the legislature that by January 1,
2015, an additional 5,000 megawatts of generating capacity from
renewable energy technologies will have been installed in this
state. The cumulative installed renewable capacity in this state
shall total 5,880 megawatts by January 1, 2015, and the commission
shall establish a goal [target] of 10,000 megawatts of installed
renewable capacity by January 1, 2025. The cumulative installed
renewable capacity in this state shall total [2,280 megawatts by
January 1, 2007, 3,272 megawatts by January 1, 2009, 4,264
megawatts by January 1, 2011,] 5,256 megawatts by January 1, 2013,
and 5,880 megawatts by January 1, 2015. Of the cumulative renewable
energy technology generating capacity installed to meet the goal of
this subsection after September 1, 2011 [2005], a total of [the
commission shall establish a target of having] at least 500
megawatts of capacity from [a] renewable energy technologies
[technology] other than [a source using] wind energy technologies
shall be installed by January 1, 2017.
(c) The [Not later than January 1, 2000, the] commission
shall adopt rules necessary to administer and enforce this section.
At a minimum, the rules shall:
(1) establish the minimum annual renewable energy
requirement, including a minimum annual requirement for the
installation of generating capacity from renewable energy
technologies other than wind energy technologies, for each retail
electric provider, municipally owned utility, and electric
cooperative operating in this state in a manner reasonably
calculated by the commission to produce, on a statewide basis,
compliance with the requirement prescribed by Subsection (a); and
(2) specify reasonable performance standards that all
renewable capacity additions must meet to count against the
requirement prescribed by Subsection (a) and that:
(A) are designed and operated so as to maximize
the energy output from the capacity additions in accordance with
then-current industry standards; and
(B) encourage the development, construction, and
operation of new renewable energy projects at those sites in this
state that have the greatest economic potential for capture and
development of this state's environmentally beneficial renewable
resources.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.