87(R) HB 3362 - Introduced version - Bill Text

	87R11806 SGM-F
	By:  Reynolds	H.B.  No.  3362

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the provision of electricity service in this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Section 39.101(b), Utilities Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)    A customer is entitled:
	(1)    to be informed about rights and opportunities in
	the transition to a competitive electric industry;
	(2)    to choose the customer's retail electric provider
	consistent with this chapter, to have that choice honored, and to
	assume that the customer's chosen provider will not be changed
	without the customer's informed consent;
	(3)    to have access to providers of energy efficiency
	services, to on-site distributed generation, and to providers of
	energy generated by renewable energy resources;
	(4)    to be served by a provider of last resort that
	offers a commission-approved standard service package;
	(5)    to receive sufficient information to make an
	informed choice of service provider;
	(6)    to be protected from unfair, misleading, or
	deceptive practices, including protection from being billed for
	services that were not authorized or provided; [and]
	(7)    to have an impartial and prompt resolution of
	disputes with its chosen retail electric provider and transmission
	and distribution utility;
	(8)    to participation in demand response programs
	through retail electric providers and demand response providers;
	and
	(9)    to receive notice from the retail electric
	provider that serves the customer:
	(A)    when the independent organization certified
	under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region issues an emergency
	energy alert about low operating reserves to providers of
	generation in the power region; or
	(B)    of imminent rolling outages and the length of
	time the outages are planned or expected to last.
	SECTION  2.    Subchapter Z, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
	amended by adding Section 39.918 to read as follows:
	Sec.  39.918.    RESIDENTIAL DEMAND RESPONSE PROGRAM. (a)  The
	commission by rule shall require each retail electric provider in
	the ERCOT power region to create a residential demand response
	program to reduce the average total residential load by at least:
	(1)    one percent of peak summer and winter demand by
	December 31, 2022;
	(2)    two percent of peak summer and winter demand by
	December 31, 2023;
	(3)    three percent of peak summer and winter demand by
	December 31, 2024; and
	(4)    five percent of peak summer and winter demand by
	December 31, 2025.
	(b)    The rules must:
	(1)    ensure that demand response participation is
	reasonably available to residential customers;
	(2)    promote the use of smart metering technology;
	(3)    ensure that demand response programs are capable
	of responding to an emergency energy alert about low operating
	reserves issued by the independent organization certified under
	Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region;
	(4)    provide opportunities for demand response
	providers to contract with retail electric providers to provide
	demand response services; and
	(5)    ensure the program does not impact the critical
	needs of vulnerable populations.
	SECTION  3.    Subchapter A, Chapter 186, Utilities Code, is
	amended by adding Section 186.008 to read as follows:
	Sec.  186.008.    TRANSMISSION OUTAGE PLAN. (a)  In this
	section, "commission" means the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
	(b)    The commission by rule shall require all electric
	utilities, as defined by Section 31.002, municipally owned
	utilities, and electric cooperatives that own transmission and
	distribution assets in this state to file and implement an outage
	plan that includes a plan for shutting off customer access to
	electricity in the event of the need for rolling ou