Texas

In 1999, Texas became the first state to establish an energy efficiency resources standard (EERS). After several years of meeting this goal at low costs, in HB 3693 of 2007 the legislature increased the standard to 15% of load growth by December 31, 2008 and 20% of load growth by December 31, 2009. HB 3693 also required that a study look into increasing savings targets to 30% by 2010 and 50% by 2015. The study determined that such targets are reasonable and attainable for the majority of utility service areas, but suggests delaying the initial savings goal increase until 2012. Utilities must submit plans for the forthcoming year and reports on the previous year to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas.

On August 1, 2005, SB20 was signed increasing the amount of renewable generation required in the state. The law requires that 5,880 megawatts of new renewable generation be built in the state by 2015, which will meet about 5 percent of the state’s projected electricity demand. The legislation also sets a cumulative target of installing 10,000 megawatts of renewable generation capacity by 2025. Allowable renewable resources in the standards are Solar Water Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy, Ocean Thermal. In an effort to diversify the state’s renewable generation portfolio, the measure also includes a requirement that the state must meet 500 megawatts of the 2025 target with non-wind renewable generation.

Relevance to Public Power: Municipal utilities with more than 500,000 in MWh in sales in 2005 are required to provide cost-effective energy efficiency programs to their customers and meet the mandates of the EERS standard. Public Power has the option of opting-in to the RPS standard.

Adhere to minimum levels set by the Federal government.

As of March 2010, climate change legislation has not been signed into law at the state-level.

Learn more about the Climate Protection Agreement!

Learn more about Green Power Communities!

• Austin Energy
• Bryan Texas Utilities
• CPS Energy (San Antonio)
• Denton Municipal Electric

• Austin Energy
• Bryan Texas Utilities
• CPS Energy (San Antonio)

Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency Resource Standards

• Austin Energy: The Austin City Council initially established a strategic energy policy for Austin Energy in August and September of 2003, and has since adopted additional resolutions to direct the utility’s energy policy. A resolution approved February 15, 2007 increases renewable resources portfolio goals to 30% by 2020, with 100 MW from solar energy. Austin Energy’s strategic plan – dated December 31, 2007 – calls for the utility to achieve energy efficiency savings of 15% by2020.
• CPS Energy (San Antonio): In June 2008, CPS announced its plan to save 425 MWs of capacity by 2020. The utility has also identified goals to save 771 MWs by 2020. CPS also established a goal to meet 15% of its peak demand with renewable energy by 2020.