89R23391 SCR-D
By: Darby H.B. No. 3069
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the approval of a certificate of convenience and
necessity for certain transmission projects.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the legislature that the
economic transmission planning required by this Act provides cost
savings for consumers.
SECTION 2. Section 37.056, Utilities Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to read as follows:
(d-1) In addition to the criteria described by Subsections
(c) and (d), the commission by rule shall establish supplemental
multi-decade transmission planning criteria for granting a
certificate for a transmission project that serves the ERCOT power
region and that is not necessary to meet state or federal
reliability standards. The criteria must provide for an evaluation
of potential savings for customers using methods such as discount
rates, hurdle rates, averaging costs over a reasonable number of
years, or scenario planning or any other method the commission
considers appropriate. The commission shall include with the
commission's decision on an application for a certificate to which
this subsection applies the commission's findings on the
multi-decade transmission planning criteria.
(d-2) The commission may use an evaluation of a proposed
transmission project conducted by the independent organization
certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region using the
criteria developed under Subsection (d) or (d-1) when considering
whether to grant a certificate for a transmission project.
SECTION 3. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall
adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by
Section 37.056(d-1), Utilities Code, as added by this Act, not
later than September 1, 2026.
SECTION 4. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall
direct the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power
region under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, to take any action
necessary for the implementation of the changes in law made by this
Act not later than September 1, 2026.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and
necessity that commences on or after September 1, 2026. A
proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and
necessity that commenced before that date is governed by the law in
effect on the date the proceeding is commenced, and that law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.