2025S0069-1 02/04/25
By: Bettencourt, et al. S.B. No. 2110
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to electric grid resiliency measures, including a study by
the Public Utility Commission of Texas of the cost of burying
overhead power lines.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "commission" means the
Public Utility Commission of Texas.
(b) The commission shall evaluate:
(1) the potential costs of burying existing overhead
power lines in seacoast territory, as defined by Section 2210.003,
Insurance Code; and
(2) the potential costs of burying all existing
overhead power lines in this state.
(c) The commission shall submit a report of the results of
the study conducted under Subsection (b) of this section and any
associated recommendations to the legislature not later than
December 31, 2026.
(d) This section expires January 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 38, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Sections 38.080 and 38.081 to read as follows:
Sec. 38.080. WOODEN POLE REPLACEMENT IN SEACOAST TERRITORY.
(a) The commission by rule shall require an electric utility
operating in seacoast territory, as defined by Section 2210.003,
Insurance Code, to:
(1) replace all wooden transmission or distribution
poles in the service area of the utility in seacoast territory
before January 1, 2045; and
(2) not later than September 1, 2026, submit to the
commission a plan for the replacement.
(b) Each plan must prioritize the replacement of poles:
(1) located within 10 miles of the coast; or
(2) that serve critical infrastructure facilities, as
defined by Section 424.001, Government Code.
Sec. 38.081. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE AND REPORTING.
(a) Each electric utility shall submit to the commission a
vegetation management plan that provides for the clearing at least
every three years of trees, tree limbs, and other vegetative growth
from utility line easements and utility structures in the entire
service area of the utility.
(b) Each electric utility shall establish:
(1) a procedure for a customer to request vegetation
management service; and
(2) a procedure to ensure the performance of a service
requested under Subdivision (1) not later than the 30th day after
the date the customer makes the request, unless the requested
service cannot legally or safely be performed.
(c) The commission by rule may adopt a standard vegetation
management service request procedure for the purposes of this
section.
(d) Not later than May 1 of each year, each electric utility
shall submit to the commission a report describing the utility's
vegetation management activities.
SECTION 3. Section 38.101(a), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Not later than May 1 of each year, each electric utility
shall submit to the commission a report describing the utility's
activities related to:
(1) identifying areas that are susceptible to damage
during severe weather and hardening transmission and distribution
facilities in those areas; and
(2) [vegetation management; and
[(3)] inspecting distribution poles.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.