Texas House Bill HB2638

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to periods of customer curtailment for multifamily properties during rolling blackouts.

Impact

The implementation of HB2638 would amend the Utilities Code by adding a new requirement specifically targeting customer service during periods of rolling blackouts. This change aims to enhance the reliability and predictability of electricity supply in multifamily housing, which could lead to improved living conditions and customer satisfaction for those residents. This regulatory approach reflects growing concerns over power management and the need for equitable treatment among consumers, notably in larger housing complexes.

Summary

House Bill 2638 aims to regulate customer curtailment periods for multifamily properties during rolling blackouts in Texas. The bill proposes that electric utilities, municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives must implement a rotation system for curtailment, ensuring that no segment of the distribution system serving multifamily buildings with more than 25 units experiences an outage longer than six hours. This measure is designed to provide more equitable power distribution and minimize the impact of rolling blackouts on larger residential communities.

Contention

While the bill is seen as a necessary step towards better management of energy resources, it may provoke discussions regarding the operational capacities of electric utilities. Critics might argue that imposing strict curtailment periods could challenge the utilities' ability to respond to energy demands efficiently, especially during peak usage times or extraordinary weather events. Balancing the needs of large multifamily properties with the overall system's responsiveness could be a point of contention amid implementation discussions.