SB1308 - Relating to the development by certain entities providing electric service in the ERCOT power region of a communication plan for use during a weather emergency.

  89R7804 CXP-F     By: Cook, Alvarado S.B. No. 1308       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the development by certain entities providing electric   service in the ERCOT power region of a communication plan for use   during a weather emergency.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 38.075, Utilities Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:           (c-1)     The commission by rule shall require each electric   cooperative, municipally owned utility, and transmission and   distribution utility providing transmission service in the ERCOT   power region to develop a communication plan for use during a   weather emergency. The communication plan must:                 (1)     include the operation by the cooperative or   utility of a priority telephone hotline to allow only the following   types of customers to report and request information regarding a   power outage, including requesting an estimated time for   restoration of electric service:                       (A)     critical care residential customers, as   defined by Section 17.002;                       (B)     critical load industrial customers, as   defined by Section 17.002;                       (C)  facilities listed in Section 38.072(b); and                       (D)     customers designated as critical load   according to commission rules adopted under Section 38.076; and                 (2)     describe the methods the cooperative or utility   will use to inform customers described by Subdivision (1) about the   priority telephone hotline.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.