S.B. No. 1133
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a report by the Public Utility Commission of Texas on
  the ability of electric generators to respond to abnormal weather
  conditions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 186, Utilities Code, is
  amended by adding Section 186.007 to read as follows:
         Sec. 186.007.  WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS REPORT.  
  (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, municipally owned utilities, and
  electric cooperatives that operate generation facilities in this
  state and prepare a weather emergency preparedness report on power
  generation weatherization preparedness.  In preparing the report,
  the commission shall:
               (1)  review the emergency operations plans currently 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 may require an electric generation
  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
  electric generation entity can provide adequate electric
  generation 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, 2012.
         (e)  The commission may submit subsequent 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 the report
  described by Subsection (a-1) and any subsequent 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 electric generation entity
  within the ERCOT power region shall provide the entity's plan to
  ERCOT in its entirety.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1133 passed the Senate on
  April 4, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1133 passed the House on
  May 23, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor