bill giving critical customers a weather emergency hotline

The text as introduced · 222 words

89R7804 CXP-F

By: Cook, Alvarado
S.B. No. 1308

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the development by certain entities providing electric

service in the ERCOT power region of a communication plan for use

during a weather emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 38.075, Utilities Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(c-1) The commission by rule shall require each electric

cooperative, municipally owned utility, and transmission and

distribution utility providing transmission service in the ERCOT

power region to develop a communication plan for use during a

weather emergency. The communication plan must:

(1) include the operation by the cooperative or

utility of a priority telephone hotline to allow only the following

types of customers to report and request information regarding a

power outage, including requesting an estimated time for

restoration of electric service:

(A) critical care residential customers, as

defined by Section 17.002;

(B) critical load industrial customers, as

defined by Section 17.002;

(C) facilities listed in Section 38.072(b); and

(D) customers designated as critical load

according to commission rules adopted under Section 38.076; and

(2) describe the methods the cooperative or utility

will use to inform customers described by Subdivision (1) about the

priority telephone hotline.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.