SB1942 - Relating to electricity planning for large loads.

  2025S0155-1 02/28/25     By: Parker S.B. No. 1942     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to electricity planning for large loads.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is   amended by adding Section 39.169 to read as follows:           Sec.   39.169.     LARGE LOAD INTERCONNECTION; RELIABILITY   PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "behind-the-meter generation" means   a new generation facility on the retail customer's side of the   meter.           (b)     The commission by rule shall require the independent   organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power   region to develop and implement an interconnection program to   provide an expedited interconnection process for operators of large   loads who agree to cease consuming energy from the power grid   through deployment of their behind-the-meter generation when   directed to by the independent organization.   The program must be   available only to large loads that are a facility at a single site   with an aggregate peak power demand that exceeds a demand threshold   established by the independent organization.   The threshold must be   at least 75 megawatts unless the independent organization   determines that a lower threshold will better ensure reliability in   the ERCOT power region.           (c)     The program must require the independent organization   certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region and the   relevant electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, or   transmission and distribution utility to give priority to a large   load in the interconnection queue participating in the program.           (d)  The program must provide that:                 (1)     an interconnection application for a   participating large load with behind-the-meter generation that   agrees to offer the energy generated by the behind-the-meter   generation to the power grid at times directed by the independent   organization or reduce its energy consumption from the power grid   to a minimum level established by the independent organization will   be given priority over other interconnection applications that are   pending before the independent organization and the relevant   electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, or transmission   and distribution utility, including any applications from other   participating large loads without behind-the-meter generation;                 (2)     if applicable, the generator interconnection   application for a participating large load's behind-the-meter   generation will be processed in parallel with the load   interconnection application; and                 (3)     an applicant for participation in the program may   choose:                       (A)     if authorized by the independent   organization and the relevant electric cooperative, municipally   owned utility, or transmission and distribution utility, to   contract with a vendor approved by the relevant electric   cooperative, municipally owned utility, or transmission and   distribution utility or by the independent organization to perform   all studies required by the relevant electric cooperative,   municipally owned utility, or transmission and distribution   utility before the approval of the interconnection application;                       (B)     to procure equipment required for the   interconnection in accordance with technical specifications   provided by the relevant electric cooperative, municipally owned   utility, or transmission and distribution utility; and                       (C)     to construct interconnection facilities in   accordance with technical and other requirements of the relevant   electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, or transmission   and distribution utility.           (e)     The program shall provide that studies required by an   electric cooperative, municipally owned utility, or transmission   and distribution utility before the approval of an interconnection   application for a participating large load may evaluate the load as   non-firm.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.