89R4027 SCR-D
By: Lalani H.B. No. 842
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report on burying power lines in the Gulf
Coast region.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission
of Texas.
(2) "Study area" means the area in the state located
within 150 miles of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
SECTION 2. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that:
(1) the study area is prone to weather-related power
outages;
(2) underground power lines are more resistant than
overhead power lines to extreme weather conditions; and
(3) burying power lines in the study area could reduce
the number of weather-related power outages in the study area.
SECTION 3. STUDY. The commission shall evaluate for the
study area the potential:
(1) cost of burying existing overhead power lines;
(2) cost of maintaining and repairing underground
power lines;
(3) cost savings associated with reduced
weather-related power outages; and
(4) use of technologies developed or tested in the
Department of Energy's Grid Overhaul with Proactive, High-Speed
Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security program
in the study area.
SECTION 4. REPORT. The commission shall submit a report of
the results of the study and any recommendations to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
not later than September 1, 2026.
SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires October 31,
2026.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2025.