Bill Text: TX HB1897 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to requirements for the approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas of certain coastal facilities for the provision of electric service.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-16 - Filed [HB1897 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HB1897-Introduced.html
| 89R5773 JXC-F | ||
| By: Patterson | H.B. No. 1897 | |
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| relating to requirements for the approval by the Public Utility | ||
| Commission of Texas of certain coastal facilities for the provision | ||
| of electric service. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 37, Utilities Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 37.0561 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 37.0561. COASTAL WIND POWER FACILITY. (a) In this | ||
| section, "wind power facility" includes: | ||
| (1) a wind turbine generator; and | ||
| (2) a facility or equipment used to support the | ||
| operation of a wind turbine generator, including an electrical | ||
| transmission or communications line, an electric transformer, a | ||
| battery storage facility, an energy storage facility, or | ||
| telecommunications equipment. | ||
| (b) In addition to any applicable requirements of Section | ||
| 33.2053(b), Natural Resources Code, the commission shall comply | ||
| with the requirements of this section when considering an | ||
| application for a certificate of convenience and necessity related | ||
| to installing or operating: | ||
| (1) a wind power facility located in the area in the | ||
| Gulf of Mexico seaward of the coast that is within three marine | ||
| leagues of the coast, as set under Section 11.0111, Natural | ||
| Resources Code; or | ||
| (2) a transmission or distribution facility that | ||
| directly interconnects to a wind power facility located in the area | ||
| in the Gulf of Mexico seaward of the coast that is within three | ||
| marine leagues of the coast, as set under Section 11.0111, Natural | ||
| Resources Code. | ||
| (c) The commission may not grant a certificate described by | ||
| Subsection (b) if the commission finds that: | ||
| (1) the wind power facility or interconnected | ||
| transmission facility: | ||
| (A) may negatively affect established industries | ||
| or community values based on established industries, including: | ||
| (i) shipping routes; | ||
| (ii) general tourism; or | ||
| (iii) recreational and commercial fishing; | ||
| (B) may negatively affect the environment, such | ||
| as by negatively affecting the general welfare of wildlife or | ||
| disrupting migratory patterns; or | ||
| (C) may create risks for the safety of coastal | ||
| residents, industries, or wildlife due to the facility's location | ||
| in an area historically susceptible to natural disasters; or | ||
| (2) the public convenience and necessity does not | ||
| require and will not require the installation or operation of the | ||
| facility because electricity service is adequate in the areas that | ||
| would be served by the facility. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act applies only to an application for a | ||
| certificate of convenience and necessity for which the Public | ||
| Utility Commission of Texas has not issued a final order before the | ||
| effective date of this Act. | ||
| SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
