87S10751 JXC-D
By: Rosenthal H.B. No. 277
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to accessing transmission service and power at wholesale
outside of the ERCOT power region.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.166 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.166. ACCESS TO WHOLESALE POWER AND TRANSMISSION
SERVICE OUTSIDE THE ERCOT POWER REGION. Notwithstanding any other
law, a transmission and distribution utility, municipally owned
utility, or electric cooperative that transmits or distributes
power purchased at wholesale in the ERCOT power region may
construct, own, and operate facilities as necessary to:
(1) access transmission service from outside of the
ERCOT power region; and
(2) purchase power at wholesale from outside of the
ERCOT power region.
SECTION 2. Not later than November 1, 2022, the Public
Utility Commission of Texas shall examine the laws and rules
governing electric utilities in this state to determine how Section
39.166, Utilities Code, as added by this Act, may affect the
application of those laws and rules and shall adopt recommendations
for legislative and administrative action as necessary to implement
that section as effectively as practicable.
SECTION 3. (a) Section 39.166, Utilities Code, as added by
this Act, takes effect September 1, 2023.
(b) Section 2 of this Act takes effect December 1, 2021.