87R11757 JXC-D
By: Sherman, Sr. H.B. No. 3213
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the winter weather emergency preparedness of facilities
for providing electric service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Natural Resources
Code, is amended by adding Section 86.044 to read as follows:
Sec. 86.044. WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. The
commission by rule shall require an operator of a gas well to
implement measures to prepare the well to operate during a weather
emergency.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 35.0021 to read as follows:
Sec. 35.0021. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. The
commission by rule shall require each provider of generation in the
ERCOT power region to:
(1) ensure that adequate maintenance and inspection of
freeze protection elements is conducted on a timely and repetitive
basis;
(2) inspect and maintain generating unit heat tracing
equipment;
(3) inspect and maintain generating unit thermal
insulation;
(4) make a plan to erect adequate windbreaks and
enclosures, where needed;
(5) develop and annually conduct winter-specific and
plant-specific operator awareness and maintenance training;
(6) ensure that winterization supplies and equipment
are in place before the winter season;
(7) ensure that adequate staffing is in place for cold
weather events;
(8) take preventative action in anticipation of cold
weather events in a timely manner;
(9) install insulation and heated pipes as necessary;
(10) use crushers to break up frozen coal;
(11) ensure that equipment can withstand ambient
temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days; and
(12) heat any wind turbines and ensure that the
turbines can withstand temperatures of -22 degrees Fahrenheit for
at least two days.
SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.074 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.074. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. The
commission by rule shall require each electric cooperative,
municipally owned utility, and transmission and distribution
utility providing transmission or distribution service in the ERCOT
power region to:
(1) ensure that transmission facilities are capable of
performing during cold weather conditions;
(2) ensure that communications responsibility is
placed on more than one system operator or on several key personnel
during an emergency;
(3) consider using persons who are not otherwise
responsible for emergency operations for communications during an
emergency or likely emergency;
(4) conduct critical load review for gas production
and transmission facilities and determine the level of protection
such facilities should be accorded in the event of system stress or
load shedding;
(5) train operators in proper load shedding procedures
and conduct periodic drills to maintain load shedding skills;
(6) install insulation and heated pipes as necessary;
and
(7) ensure that equipment can withstand ambient
temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days.
SECTION 4. Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.159 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.159. INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION. An
independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for the
ERCOT power region shall:
(1) communicate with transmission and distribution
utilities, municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives
about deteriorating weather conditions in a timely manner; and
(2) provide transmission and distribution utilities,
municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives with access
to information about loads on the systems of the utilities and
cooperatives that could be curtailed by the organization to provide
operating reserves or as emergency interruptible load service.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.