SB 1665

relating to a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas on the
feasibility of constructing certain extra high voltage
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 39, Utilities Code, is
amended by adding Section 39.1671 to read as follows:
Sec. 39.1671.  STUDY OF CONSTRUCTION OF 765-KILOVOLT
TRANSMISSION LINE.  (a)  The commission may not approve the
construction of a 765-kilovolt transmission line for the execution
of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan (Project 55718) as
recommended in the Texas 765-kilovolt Strategic Transmission
Expansion Plan submitted by the independent organization certified
under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power region unless the
commission first conducts a study to consider:
(1)  the performance of extra high voltage transmission
lines under a variety of dispatch scenarios, including different
times of day, times of year, and weather conditions;
(2)  estimated costs to ratepayers, with a particular
emphasis on the estimated costs to residential customers;
(3)  factors that may contribute to cost overruns and
potential mitigation of cost overruns; and
(4)  supply chain and workforce limitations that may
delay project buildout or contribute to cost overruns.
(b)  Subject to Subsection (c), the commission shall submit
the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a) to an
independent third party for review.
(c)  The commission may not submit the results of the study
to a third party that conducted a similar study of extra high
voltage transmission lines on behalf of the independent
organization certified under Section 39.151 for the ERCOT power
region or another market participant after January 1, 2020.
(d)  This section expires September 1, 2029.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.