HB3069 - Relating to the approval of a certificate of convenience and necessity for certain transmission projects.

  89R23391 SCR-D     By: Darby H.B. No. 3069       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the approval of a certificate of convenience and   necessity for certain transmission projects.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the legislature that the   economic transmission planning required by this Act provides cost   savings for consumers.          SECTION 2.  Section 37.056, Utilities Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (d-1) and (d-2) to read as follows:           (d-1)     In addition to the criteria described by Subsections   (c) and (d), the commission by rule shall establish supplemental   multi-decade transmission planning criteria for granting a   certificate for a transmission project that serves the ERCOT power   region and that is not necessary to meet state or federal   reliability standards.   The criteria must provide for an evaluation   of potential savings for customers using methods such as discount   rates, hurdle rates, averaging costs over a reasonable number of   years, or scenario planning or any other method the commission   considers appropriate.   The commission shall include with the   commission's decision on an application for a certificate to which   this subsection applies the commission's findings on the   multi-decade transmission planning criteria.           (d-2)     The commission may use an evaluation of a proposed   transmission project conducted by the independent organization   certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region using the   criteria developed under Subsection (d) or (d-1) when considering   whether to grant a certificate for a transmission project.          SECTION 3.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall   adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by   Section 37.056(d-1), Utilities Code, as added by this Act, not   later than September 1, 2026.          SECTION 4.  The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall   direct the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power   region under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, to take any action   necessary for the implementation of the changes in law made by this   Act not later than September 1, 2026.          SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   a proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and   necessity that commences on or after September 1, 2026. A   proceeding affecting a certificate of public convenience and   necessity that commenced before that date is governed by the law in   effect on the date the proceeding is commenced, and that law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.