The bill, S.B. No. 1290, mandates the establishment of emergency operation standards for package wastewater treatment plants in Texas. It introduces a new section, 26.054, to the Water Code, which defines key terms such as "emergency operations," "extended power outage," and "package plant." The bill requires operators of these facilities to ensure their emergency operations during extended power outages, adopt an emergency preparedness plan for approval by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and implement various strategies for maintaining operations during emergencies. These strategies may include maintaining auxiliary generators, sharing resources with other facilities, and utilizing portable generators.

Additionally, the bill outlines a timeline for compliance, requiring TCEQ to adopt necessary rules by January 1, 2026, and for operators to submit their emergency preparedness plans by May 1, 2026. The implementation of these plans must occur by September 1, 2026, or upon TCEQ's final approval. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of information provided by operators and mandates coordination between TCEQ and the Public Utility Commission of Texas in administering these requirements. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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