Bill Text: TX HB1731 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to protection of the electric power transmission and distribution system.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-10 - Referred to State Affairs [HB1731 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB1731-Introduced.html
87R9830 TYPED | ||
By: Tinderholt | H.B. No. 1731 |
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relating to protection of the electric power transmission and | ||
distribution system. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD LEVELS. Section 39.151, | ||
Utilities Code, is amended by adding Subsections (o) and (p) to read | ||
as follows: | ||
(o) The commission by rule shall identify and implement | ||
design standards for the electric power transmission and | ||
distribution system to limit electromagnetic field levels and | ||
protect the transmission and distribution system. | ||
(p) The commission by rule shall require the independent | ||
organization certified under this section to consider | ||
electromagnetic field levels when determining the public need for a | ||
transmission line. | ||
SECTION 2. ELECTRICAL POWER GRID RELIABILITY TASK FORCE. | ||
(a) The electrical power grid reliability task force is created. | ||
The task force shall study the likely effectiveness and costs of | ||
various measures to protect and strengthen the electric power | ||
transmission and distribution system against all hazards. | ||
(b) The task force consists of five members appointed by the | ||
lieutenant governor and five members appointed by the speaker of | ||
the house. The task force: | ||
(1) may not: | ||
(A) consist of more than 10 members; or | ||
(B) include employees of the Public Utility | ||
Commission of Texas; and | ||
(2) must include at least the following members: | ||
(A) two members of the house of representatives | ||
appointed by the speaker of the house; | ||
(B) two senators appointed by the lieutenant | ||
governor; | ||
(C) an expert on electromagnetic pulse | ||
disturbances appointed by the lieutenant governor; | ||
(D) an expert on cybersecurity appointed by the | ||
lieutenant governor; | ||
(E) an expert on terrorism appointed by the | ||
lieutenant governor; | ||
(F) an expert on geomagnetic disturbances | ||
appointed by the speaker of the house; and | ||
(G) an expert on electric power transmission and | ||
distribution system security appointed by the speaker of the house. | ||
(c) The task force shall elect a presiding officer. | ||
(d) The task force shall: | ||
(1) evaluate strategies and technologies to | ||
strengthen the transmission and distribution system, including: | ||
(A) blocking devices; | ||
(B) faraday cages; and | ||
(C) surge arrestors; | ||
(2) survey transmission and distribution utilities | ||
to: | ||
(A) determine the number of high voltage | ||
transformers in this state; and | ||
(B) evaluate the utilities' plans to improve | ||
current infrastructure; | ||
(3) research existing grid protection policies | ||
outside this state; | ||
(4) make recommendations for the implementation of | ||
strategies and technologies that will most effectively and | ||
efficiently strengthen the transmission and distribution system, | ||
including: | ||
(A) blocking devices; | ||
(B) faraday cages; and | ||
(C) surge arrestors; | ||
(5) make recommendations regarding the allocation of | ||
costs of implementation, including recommendations for which | ||
costs, if any, should be the responsibility of shareholders or | ||
ratepayers; and | ||
(6) determine the feasibility of implementing the | ||
recommended actions. | ||
(e) Not later than September 1, 2022, the task force shall | ||
prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report of | ||
the task force's findings and recommendations. | ||
(f) A member of the task force established under this | ||
section is not entitled to compensation. Members may be reimbursed | ||
for expenses as follows: | ||
(1) a member is entitled to reimbursement for travel | ||
and other necessary expenses as provided in the General | ||
Appropriations Act; and | ||
(2) a member appointed as a representative of a state | ||
agency is eligible for reimbursement for travel and other necessary | ||
expenses according to the applicable agency's policies. | ||
(g) The division of emergency management of the office of | ||
the governor shall provide administrative support and staff to the | ||
advisory task force established under this section. | ||
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. The task force established under | ||
this Act is abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2023. | ||
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September | ||
1, 2021. |