89R11011 CS-D
By: Louderback H.B. No. 3778
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of geothermal energy as a dispatchable
generation resource.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 34, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 34.01015 to read as follows:
Sec. 34.01015. APPLICABILITY. For the purposes of this
chapter:
(1) a generating facility is considered to be
dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily
by forces under human control; and
(2) a geothermal generating facility is considered to
be dispatchable.
SECTION 2. Section 34.0104(a), Utilities Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The commission may use money in the fund without further
appropriation to provide loans to finance upgrades to existing
dispatchable electric generating facilities providing power for
the ERCOT power region that result in a net increase of at least 100
megawatts of capacity for each facility or the construction of
dispatchable electric generating facilities providing power for
the ERCOT power region that each have a generation capacity of at
least 100 megawatts. [For the purposes of this section, a
generating facility is considered to be dispatchable if the
facility's output can be controlled primarily by forces under human
control.] An electric energy storage facility is not eligible for
a loan under this section.
SECTION 3. Section 34.0105(a), Utilities Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The commission shall provide, using money available in
the fund for the purpose without further appropriation, a
completion bonus grant for the construction of dispatchable
electric generating facilities in the ERCOT power region. [For the
purposes of this section, a generating facility is considered to be
dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily
by forces under human control.] An electric energy storage
facility is not eligible for a grant under this section.
SECTION 4. Section 39.159(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) For the purposes of this section:
(1)[,] a generation facility is considered to be
dispatchable if the facility's output can be controlled primarily
by forces under human control; and
(2) a geothermal generation facility is considered to
be dispatchable [non-dispatchable if the facility's output is
controlled primarily by forces outside of human control].
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.