87R10808 JXC-D
By: Bucy H.B. No. 4224
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 A, Chapter 35, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 35.0025 to read as follows:
Sec. 35.0025. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. (a)
The commission by rule shall establish best practices and
procedures for providers of generation in the ERCOT power region
for:
(1) winterization, including supplies, equipment,
personnel, and preventative action checklists for preparations for
extreme weather events;
(2) plant design for new plants and modifications to
existing plants to ensure the plants can operate at the lowest
recorded ambient temperature for the nearest municipality for which
historical data is available;
(3) maintenance and inspections, especially of freeze
protection elements;
(4) heat tracing;
(5) thermal insulation;
(6) the erection of adequate windbreaks and
enclosures;
(7) annual winter-specific and plant-specific
operator awareness and maintenance training;
(8) prioritizing winter preparation each fall;
(9) establishing personnel accountability and audit
procedures; and
(10) updating facility procedures at least annually as
needed.
(b) The commission by rule shall require each provider of
generation in the ERCOT power region to:
(1) prepare, submit to the commission, and update as
necessary a plan for:
(A) using the best practices and procedures to
provide adequate electric generation service during a winter
weather emergency;
(B) conducting regular preventative maintenance
for freeze protection elements;
(C) inspecting freeze protection elements before
and during the winter;
(D) testing and evaluating freeze protection
elements after winter to identify potential improvements, required
maintenance, and any necessary component replacement; and
(E) making any needed repairs or improvements
before the next winter; and
(2) implement the plan submitted under Subdivision
(1).
(c) The commission shall regularly inspect facilities of
providers of generation for compliance with rules adopted under
this section.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 38.074 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.074. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. (a)
The commission by rule shall establish best practices and
procedures for electric cooperatives, municipally owned utilities,
and transmission and distribution utilities providing transmission
or distribution service in the ERCOT power region for:
(1) winterization, including supplies, equipment,
personnel, and preventative action checklists for preparations for
extreme weather events;
(2) maintenance and inspections, especially of freeze
protection elements;
(3) heat tracing;
(4) thermal insulation;
(5) the erection of adequate windbreaks and
enclosures;
(6) annual winter-specific operator awareness and
maintenance training;
(7) prioritizing winter preparation each fall;
(8) establishing personnel accountability and audit
procedures; and
(9) updating facility procedures at least annually as
needed.
(b) 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) prepare, submit to the commission, and update as
necessary a plan for:
(A) using the best practices and procedures to
maintain service quality and reliability during a winter weather
emergency;
(B) conducting regular preventative maintenance
for freeze protection elements;
(C) inspecting freeze protection elements before
and during the winter;
(D) testing and evaluating freeze protection
elements after winter to identify potential improvements, required
maintenance, and any necessary component replacement; and
(E) making any needed repairs or improvements
before the next winter; and
(2) implement the plan submitted under Subdivision
(1).
(c) The commission shall regularly inspect facilities of
electric cooperatives, municipally owned utilities, and
transmission and distribution utilities providing transmission or
distribution service in the ERCOT power region for compliance with
rules adopted under this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.