Texas House Bill HB2346

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to exempting certain customers from certain demand charges by transmission and distribution utilities.

Impact

If enacted, the legislation would modify the existing Utilities Code, particularly Section 36.009, which regulates billing practices for demand charges. The change would mandate that utilities adopt procedures to verify the qualifying status of customers and modify their tariffs to ensure proper billing based on various metrics, such as kilowatts or kilowatt-hours. This measure could significantly alter how utility companies interact with their commercial clients, potentially leading to reduced costs for eligible businesses and fostering a competitive energy market.

Summary

House Bill 2346 seeks to provide exemptions for certain nonresidential secondary service customers from demand charges imposed by transmission and distribution utilities in Texas. The bill specifically targets customers whose maximum load factors meet a threshold established by the commission. By waiving the application of demand ratchet provisions for these qualifying customers, the bill aims to alleviate financial burdens associated with utility costs, thereby promoting energy usage efficiency and potentially incentivizing business operations in the state.

Contention

During discussions surrounding HB2346, there were points of contention regarding its potential effects on utility revenue and service provision. Some stakeholders argued that waiving demand charges could reduce operational funding for utilities, potentially leading to higher costs for other consumers or reduced services. Additionally, there was debate about whether the criteria for waivers were sufficiently rigorous to ensure that only those businesses truly needing assistance would benefit, thus preventing potential exploitation of the system. Proponents of the bill maintained that the benefits for qualifying businesses would outweigh these concerns and contribute positively to the state's economy.