Texas Senate Bill SB2078

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to electricity supplied to certain water facilities.

Impact

The bill introduces provisions for a grant program aimed at supporting water facilities in purchasing backup generators. The Texas Commission will establish criteria for these grants, giving priority to facilities located in areas with frequent power outages and those deemed economically distressed. This financial support aims to enhance the resiliency of essential water services in Texas by enabling these facilities to secure alternative power sources, thereby mitigating the impact of outages on water supply.

Summary

SB2078 addresses the electricity supply to certain water facilities in Texas, emphasizing the protection of water services during rolling blackouts. The bill mandates that electric utilities, including municipally owned utilities and cooperatives, must exclude power circuits that provide electricity to water facilities essential for delivering water to wholesale customers from blackout load-shedding efforts. This is a crucial provision to ensure that such facilities can maintain operations and provide necessary services, especially during times of high demand for electricity or power outages.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention regarding SB2078 may originate from the implications of implementing exclusions during rolling blackouts. Some stakeholders might express concerns over the reliability of electricity supply and the operational capacity of utilities to effectively manage such exclusions. Additionally, the allocation of state funds for grants and the prioritization criteria could provoke discussions on resource distribution, particularly regarding which facilities are most in need and how to fairly assess their eligibility. This bill may also spark debates on the responsibility of utility companies in maintaining service reliability during emergencies.