2023 Texas Statutes › Utilities Code › Title 4 - Delivery of Utility Services › Subtitle B - Provisions Regulating Delivery of Services › Chapter 186 - Provisions to Ensure the Reliability and Integrity of Utility Service › Subchapter A. Continuity of Utility Service › Section 186.007. Public Utility Commission Weather Emergency Preparedness Reports

Sec. 186.007.  PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS REPORTS.  (a)  In this section, "commission" means the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
(a-1)  The commission shall analyze emergency operations plans developed by electric utilities as defined by Section 31.002, power generation companies as defined by Section 31.002, municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives that operate generation facilities in this state and retail electric providers as defined by Section 31.002 and prepare a weather emergency preparedness report on power weatherization preparedness.  In preparing the report, the commission shall:
(1)  review emergency operations plans on file with the commission;
(2)  analyze and determine the ability of the electric grid to withstand extreme weather events in the upcoming year;
(3)  consider the anticipated weather patterns for the upcoming year as forecasted by the National Weather Service or any similar state or national agency; and
(4)  make recommendations on improving emergency operations plans and procedures in order to ensure the continuity of electric service.
(b)  The commission shall require an entity subject to this section to file an updated emergency operations plan if it finds that an emergency operations plan on file does not contain adequate information to determine whether the entity can provide adequate electric services.
(c)  The commission may adopt rules relating to the implementation of the report described by Subsection (a-1).
(d)  The commission shall submit the report described by Subsection (a-1) to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the legislature not later than September 30 of each even-numbered year.
(e)  The commission may submit additional weather emergency preparedness reports if the commission finds that significant changes to weatherization techniques have occurred or are necessary to protect consumers or vital services, or if there have been changes to statutes or rules relating to weatherization requirements.  A report under this subsection must be submitted not later than:
(1)  March 1 for a summer weather emergency preparedness report; and
(2)  September 1 for a winter weather emergency preparedness report.
(f)  The emergency operations plans submitted for a report described by Subsection (a-1) and any additional plans submitted under Subsection (e) are public information except for the portions of the plan considered confidential under Chapter 552, Government Code, or other state or federal law.  If portions of a plan are designated as confidential, the plan shall be provided to the commission in a redacted form for public inspection with the confidential portions removed.  An entity within the ERCOT power region shall provide the entity's plan to ERCOT in its entirety.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1335 (S.B. 1133), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 426 (S.B. 3), Sec. 23, eff. June 8, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 426 (S.B. 3), Sec. 24, eff. June 8, 2021.