Bill > HB5224

This bill modifies the Natural Resources Code to establish a new process for designating certain natural gas facilities as "seasonal critical customers" during specific times of the year. The Railroad Commission of Texas will create rules defining seasonal criteria, including start and end dates for seasonal designations, and develop an application process for facility owners to seek seasonal critical customer status. Facilities must be prepared to operate during weather emergencies to qualify. The bill requires the Railroad Commission to annually provide a list of these seasonal critical customers to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which will then share the list with the independent organization managing the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) power region. Additionally, the Public Utility Commission must create rules allowing the ERCOT-certified organization to competitively procure demand reductions from these seasonal critical customer facilities during their designated critical season. The implementation timeline requires the commissions to adopt necessary rules by February 1, 2026, and provide the first list of seasonal critical customers by March 31, 2026. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the immediate voting threshold.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5224