88R6947 ANG-F
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2502
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an energy efficiency loan guarantee
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 388.013 to read as follows:
Sec. 388.013. ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
(a) The comptroller and the State Energy Conservation Office by
rule shall establish and administer a program to issue or guarantee
loans for energy audits, upgrades, or retrofits to increase the
energy efficiency of commercial buildings and residences that are
not newly constructed.
(b) Rules adopted under this section must establish
eligibility requirements to receive a loan or loan guarantee under
this section. The requirements must include emissions reduction
cost-effectiveness criteria.
(c) The State Energy Conservation Office shall:
(1) use money from federal grants available through
the United States Department of Energy to begin the program
established under this section and leverage private capital or
state resources, if money available under the grants is
appropriated for that purpose; and
(2) establish policies for the use of federal grants
that are compatible with requirements associated with the issuance
of those grants.
(d) The State Energy Conservation Office may use a portion
of the money or other resources described by Subsection (c) for
grants, technical assistance, or administrative expenses.
(e) The State Energy Conservation Office annually shall
submit to the commission and the laboratory a report that:
(1) evaluates the effectiveness of the program
established under this section; and
(2) quantifies energy savings and emissions
reductions as a result of this program for consideration in the
state implementation plan for emissions reduction credit.
SECTION 2. Section 389.002, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 389.002. USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL
RECOGNITION OF EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. The commission, using
information derived from the reports to the commission under
Sections 386.205, 388.003(e), [and] 388.006, and 388.013, shall
take all appropriate and necessary actions so that emissions
reductions achieved by means of activities under Chapters 386 and
388 are credited by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency to the appropriate emissions reduction objectives in the
state implementation plan.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.