The bill, S.B. No. 1641, introduces new regulations regarding load forecasts used in transmission planning for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) power region. It adds Section 39.920 to the Utilities Code, which defines a "transmission or distribution service provider" and establishes rules that prohibit these providers from including projected retail demand additions of 25 megawatts or more in their load forecasts unless each associated retail customer demonstrates a reasonable likelihood of taking electric service at the specified level, location, and date. The bill outlines acceptable methods for this demonstration, including evidence of a lease, a customer security deposit, an attestation from the customer, or other methods approved by the commission.

Additionally, the bill mandates that service providers submit an attestation to the independent organization certified under Section 39.151 for ERCOT with each load forecast, confirming that the required demonstrations have been made. It also states that the independent organization cannot include such projected demand additions in transmission planning analyses unless the necessary attestation is provided and all requested information is submitted. The bill ensures that competitively sensitive information remains confidential and allows the independent organization to adopt necessary protocols to comply with these new regulations. The provisions of this act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()