By: Reynolds H.B. No. 64
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to interconnection of transmission facilities in ERCOT
with transmission facilities outside of ERCOT.
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. REQUIRED INTERCONNECTION WITH TRANSMISSION
FACILITIES OUTSIDE OF ERCOT. (a) The commission shall identify
transmission facilities in ERCOT that may be interconnected with
transmission facilities outside of ERCOT for the purpose of
allowing federal regulation of transmission service and wholesale
power sales in ERCOT.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission shall
require an electric utility, municipally owned utility, or electric
cooperative that owns a transmission facility identified by the
commission under Subsection (a) to make requests, obtain approvals,
enter into contracts, and construct facilities as necessary to
interconnect the facility with a transmission facility outside of
ERCOT.
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 on the 91st day after
the last day of the legislative session.