By: Carona S.B. No. 898
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to energy efficiency programs in institutions of higher
education and certain governmental entities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsections (c), (d), and (e), Section 388.005,
Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:
(c) Each political subdivision, institution of higher
education, or state agency shall establish a goal to reduce the
electric consumption by the entity by at least five percent each
state fiscal year for 10 [six] years, beginning September 1, 2011
[2007].
(d) A political subdivision, institution of higher
education, or state agency that does not attain the goals
established under Subsection (c) must include in the report
required by Subsection (e) justification that the entity has
already implemented all available cost-effective measures. An
entity that submits a report under this subsection indicating that
the entity has reviewed its available options, has determined that
no additional measures are cost-effective, and [it] has already
implemented all available cost-effective measures is exempt from
the annual reporting requirement of Subsection (e) if a subsequent
report would indicate no change in status. An entity may be
required to provide notice that it is exempt to the State Energy
Conservation Office.
(e) A political subdivision, institution of higher
education, or state agency annually shall report to the State
Energy Conservation Office, on forms provided by that office,
regarding the entity's goal, the entity's efforts to meet the goal,
and progress the entity has made under this section. The State
Energy Conservation Office shall provide assistance and
information to the entity to help the entity meet [the] goals
established [set] under this section. The office must develop and
make available a standardized form for reporting purposes.
SECTION 2. Section 388.006, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 388.006. STATE ENERGY CONSERVATION OFFICE EVALUATION.
The State Energy Conservation Office annually shall provide the
commission and the laboratory with an evaluation of the
effectiveness of state and political subdivision energy efficiency
programs, including programs under this chapter. The laboratory
shall calculate, based on the evaluation and the forms submitted to
the office, the amount of energy savings and estimated reduction in
pollution achieved as a result of the implementation of programs.
The laboratory shall share the information with the commission, the
United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Electric
Reliability Council of Texas to help with long-term forecasting and
in estimating pollution reduction.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.