87R11266 CXP-D
By: González of Dallas H.B. No. 2050
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to energy emergency alerts and notifications in the ERCOT
power region.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.918 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.918. ENERGY EMERGENCY ALERTS IN ERCOT POWER REGION.
(a) The commission shall require an independent organization
certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region to adopt
protocols to declare:
(1) an energy emergency alert level 1 when operating
reserves are less than 4,600 megawatts and are not expected to
recover within 30 minutes;
(2) an energy emergency alert level 2 when operating
reserves are less than 3,500 megawatts and are not expected to
recover within 30 minutes; and
(3) an energy emergency alert level 3 when operating
reserves are less than 2,000 megawatts and are not expected to
recover within 30 minutes.
(b) As soon as possible after an energy emergency alert is
declared or an alert level changes, the Texas Division of Emergency
Management shall request that the Federal Emergency Management
Agency issue a wireless emergency alert notifying residents of this
state of the declaration or change using mobile devices.
SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 418, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 418.196 to read as follows:
Sec. 418.196. PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION RELATING TO ENERGY
EMERGENCY ALERTS. (a) In this section, "state agency" means a
department, commission, board, office, council, authority, or
other agency in the executive branch of state government that is
created by the constitution or a statute of this state, including a
university system or institution of higher education as defined by
Section 61.003, Education Code.
(b) If an independent organization certified under Section
39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region declares an
energy emergency alert, each state agency shall publish a
notification regarding the alert on the home page of the agency's
Internet website as soon as practicable.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.