Bill Text: TX HB3061 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating to the creation of certain energy efficiency programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-14 - Referred to Energy Resources [HB3061 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3061-Introduced.html

---

88R7066 ANG-F
By: Zwiener H.B. No. 3061

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of certain energy efficiency programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by designating Sections 388.001 through 388.012 as Subchapter A and
adding a subchapter heading to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
SECTION 2. Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
Sec. 388.051. ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
(a) The comptroller and the State Energy Conservation Office by
rule shall establish and administer a program to issue or guarantee
loans for energy audits, upgrades, or retrofits to increase the
energy efficiency of commercial buildings and residences that are
not newly constructed.
(b) Rules adopted under this section must establish
eligibility requirements to receive a loan or loan guarantee under
this section. The requirements must include emissions reduction
cost-effectiveness criteria.
(c) The State Energy Conservation Office shall:
(1) use money from federal grants available through
the United States Department of Energy to begin the program
established under this section and leverage private capital or
state resources, if money available under the grants is
appropriated for that purpose; and
(2) establish policies for the use of federal grants
that are compatible with requirements associated with the issuance
of those grants.
(d) The State Energy Conservation Office may use a portion
of the money or other resources described by Subsection (c) for
grants, technical assistance, or administrative expenses.
Sec. 388.052. HOME REBATE PROGRAM. (a) The comptroller and
the State Energy Conservation Office shall establish a home rebate
program for whole-house energy savings retrofit programs that will
make rebates available to eligible third-party aggregators and
households, including single-family and multifamily residences, to
make existing residences more energy efficient.
(b) The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish
program requirements that are compatible with federal standards and
beneficial to the state.
(c) The State Energy Conservation Office may use money
available to the office for purposes of this section for grants,
technical assistance, and administrative expenses, including
appropriate contracts.
(d) The State Energy Conservation Office may coordinate
with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and electric utility
providers, including electric cooperatives and municipally owned
utilities, to maximize the benefits of the program established
under this section by combining the benefits of the program with
other programs.
Sec. 388.053. HIGH-EFFICIENCY ELECTRIC HOME REBATE
PROGRAM. (a) The comptroller and the State Energy Conservation
Office shall establish a high-efficiency electric home rebate
program for electric appliances that have an overall energy benefit
to the state when installed in households, including single-family
and multifamily residences.
(b) The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish
program requirements that are compatible with federal standards and
beneficial to the state.
(c) The State Energy Conservation Office may use money
available to the office for purposes of this section for grants,
technical assistance, and administrative expenses, including
appropriate contracts.
Sec. 388.054. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM. (a) The comptroller
and the State Energy Conservation Office shall establish a program
to foster sustained, cost-effective implementation of
international codes, including the International Energy
Conservation Code and its subsequent revisions, to the extent
allowed by state law. The program must provide for training,
grants, and other assistance as necessary.
(b) The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish
program requirements that are compatible with federal standards and
beneficial to the state.
(c) The State Energy Conservation Office may use money
available to the office for purposes of this section for grants,
technical assistance, and administrative expenses.
Sec. 388.055. REQUIRED REPORTS. The State Energy
Conservation Office annually shall submit to the commission and the
laboratory a report that:
(1) evaluates the effectiveness of the programs
established under this subchapter; and
(2) quantifies energy savings and emissions
reductions as a result of programs established under this
subchapter for consideration in the state implementation plan for
emissions reduction credit.
Sec. 388.056. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires December
31, 2031.
SECTION 3. Section 389.002, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 389.002. USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL
RECOGNITION OF EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. The commission, using
information derived from the reports to the commission under
Sections 386.205, 388.003(e), [and] 388.006, and 388.055, shall
take all appropriate and necessary actions so that emissions
reductions achieved by means of activities under Chapters 386 and
388 are credited by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency to the appropriate emissions reduction objectives in the
state implementation plan.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.