Austin (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas House lawmakers have reached a compromise bill on weatherizing the state’s power infrastructure.
In the bill ( a rewrite of SB 3), unveiled on Tuesday, the state would require updating electrical generating plants and some natural gas wells, along with pipelines and compressors linked to them.
But in what is perceived as a concession to the oil and gas industry, the bill cuts down on the number of natural gas facilities that must be weatherized.
The bill creates a new interagency ‘Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee.’ The committee would identify areas of the natural gas industry that directly feed power generators. The bill stipulates that only those would have to be weatherized.
The bill also removes language that would put wind and solar power companies on the hook for billions for replacement power needed when the grid faces maximum demand.
The DMN interviewed, State Rep. Chris Paddie, (pictured right) who chairs the House State Affairs. Paddie said the February winter storm and subsequent power emergency, highlighted the need for additional power generating capacity.
He talked up the House rewrite of SB 3, saying it has many virtues, “I think we will have gone a long way toward [fixing] all the problems that we’ve identified” if the bill, as expected, winds up on Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk and is signed.”
With the current legislative session ending on May 31, Paddie foresees a summer special session to get the bill finalized and passed.
(Copyright 2021 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from The Dallas Morning News.)
