BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 184
By: Watson
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
This bill calls on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to identify cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Commonly known as the "no regrets" approach, this bill seeks to realize the economic benefits, cost savings to businesses and consumers, and environmental benefits of identifying and prioritizing no-cost and cost saving greenhouse gas reduction strategies first.
C.S.S.B. 184 requires TCEQ to develop and present a report to the legislature by December 31, 2010, that outlines strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that, over the lifetime of the strategy, will result in no financial cost to businesses and consumers of the state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2305, Government Code, by adding Section 2305.201, as follows:
Sec. 2305.201. STRATEGIES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES. (a) Defines "greenhouse gas."
(b) Requires the Comptroller of Public Accounts (comptroller) to prepare and deliver to each member of the legislature, not later than December 31, 2010, a report including a list of strategies for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in this state that shall result in net savings for consumers or businesses in this state, can be achieved without financial cost to consumers or businesses in this state, or help businesses in the state maintain global competitiveness.
(c) Requires the comptroller, in preparing the list of emission reduction strategies, to consider the strategies for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that have been implemented in other states or nations.
(d) Requires the comptroller, in determining under Subsection (b) whether an emission reduction strategy may result in a financial cost to consumers or businesses in this state, to consider the total net costs that may occur over the life of the strategy.
(e) Requires that a report prepared under Subsection (b) include the following information for each identified strategy:
(1) initial, short-term capital costs that may result from the implementation of the strategy delineated by the costs to business and the costs to consumers; and
(2) lifetime costs and savings that may result from the implementation of the strategy delineated by the costs and savings to business and the costs and savings to consumers.
(f) Requires the comptroller to appoint one or more advisory committees to assist the [bill as drafted is missing text] in identifying and evaluating greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. Requires that at least one representative from the Texas Railroad Commission, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Texas Department of Agriculture, the General Land Office and a Texas institution of higher education serve on the advisory committee or comittees.
(g) Authorizes the comptroller to enter into an interagency agreement with TCEQ or other state agency for technical advice or assistance as necessary to complete the requirements of this subsection.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.