82R2237 JAM-F
 
  By: Watson S.B. No. 347
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Texas Center for Sustainable
  Business.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 447, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 447.014 to read as follows:
         Sec. 447.014.  CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS. (a)  The
  state energy conservation office shall establish and oversee the
  Texas Center for Sustainable Business to assist Texas businesses in
  reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning successfully
  to a low-carbon economy.
         (b)  The center shall develop a sustainable business action
  plan that will provide a balanced assessment of strategies for
  assisting businesses in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
         (c)  The state energy conservation office may employ an
  executive director for the center and may contract with a private
  entity or an institution of higher education to assist in
  performing the duties of the center.
         (d)  The state energy conservation office shall appoint the
  sustainable business advisory council.  Membership on the advisory
  council shall consist of at least one representative from each of
  the following:
               (1)  the electric utility industry;
               (2)  the manufacturing industry;
               (3)  the petrochemical industry;
               (4)  the environmental industry;
               (5)  the transportation industry;
               (6)  the building industry;
               (7)  higher education; and
               (8)  state government.
         (e)  The center may establish other advisory councils, task
  forces, or commissions it deems necessary to accomplish the
  center's purposes under this section.
         (f)  In developing the sustainable business action plan
  required by Subsection (b), the center shall:
               (1)  work with the Texas Commission on Environmental
  Quality and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to
  create an accounting of greenhouse gas emissions in this state;
               (2)  determine the total amount of carbon dioxide
  emissions in this state in 2005 and recommend practices,
  strategies, and policies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  in this state to an amount that is:
                     (A)  within a range of 97 percent to 102 percent of
  2005 levels by 2014;
                     (B)  within a range of 80 percent to 86 percent of
  2005 levels by 2020;
                     (C)  58 percent of 2005 levels by 2030; and
                     (D)  20 percent of 2005 levels by 2050;
               (3)  establish a registry of actions to reduce carbon
  dioxide emissions that have been taken by Texas businesses since
  January 1, 2000, and work with the United States Environmental
  Protection Agency to recognize and give credit for early action
  under federal carbon emissions limits adopted after September 1,
  2011;
               (4)  identify and prioritize strategies for reducing
  emissions of greenhouse gases in this state that will result in net
  savings or in no additional financial cost to consumers or
  businesses of this state;
               (5)  identify, assess, and promote commercialization
  of technology that will achieve the greatest greenhouse gas
  reductions at the lowest cost;
               (6)  identify available grants for applied research to
  develop new technologies and other practical solutions to reduce
  greenhouse gas emissions; and
               (7)  assess the costs and benefits of joining the
  Southwest Climate Change Initiative or another regional
  initiative.
         (g)  The center annually shall submit the action plan to the
  governor and the legislature presenting the assessments and
  recommendations required by Subsection (f).
         SECTION 2.  During the state fiscal biennium beginning
  September 1, 2011, the Texas Center for Sustainable Business is
  eligible to receive grants from the Texas Enterprise Fund to fund
  its duties under Section 447.014, Government Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  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.