According to Texas Pipelines Association (TPA), SB 3 creates a new regulatory structure in response to Winter Storm Uri that mandates the creation of new entities, such as the Texas Energy Reliability Council and the Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee.
The Mapping Committee will, for the first time, map the state’s electricity supply chain, identify critical infrastructure sources within that chain, establish best preparation practices to electric and natural gas service providers in the electric supply chain to maintain service, recommend oversight and compliance standards for those facilities and designate priority service needs to best prepare for, respond to and recover from an extreme weather event.
While the committee is responsible for mapping the facilities designated as “critical,” the Railroad Commission (RRC) is responsible for determining how those facilities are designated.
The Railroad Commission will also identify weatherization best practices for critical facilities, as well as conduct audits and inspections to ensure compliance with the requirements.
The definition and identification of critical infrastructure by the RRC and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) is the first step in a three-step process. The second step is for the Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee to “map this state ’s electricity supply chain and identify critical infrastructure sources in (that) supply chain.”
The final step is for the RRC to adopt rules regarding “measures to prepare to operate during a weather emergency,” otherwise known as “weatherizing.” The rules shall include penalties for noncompliance, including being reported to the Office of the Attorney General.
Rulemaking is under development, and while we are in the first stages, months of hard work among the respective agencies has resulted in extensive progress toward implementing this legislation.
TPA is currently working closely with these state agencies to submit comments on the proposed rules to ensure the safe, reliable delivery of energy products, while protecting the needs of Texas residents during an emergency and all year round.
For more information www.texaspipelines.com
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