Electric cooperatives have special customer-protection rules, including limits on how they are treated and duties to adopt rules, handle disputes, and give retail customers periodic billing information.
Sec. 17.006. PROTECTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES. (a) An electric cooperative shall not be deemed to be a "service provider" or "billing agent" for purposes of Sections 17.156(b) and (e). (b) The electric cooperative shall adopt, implement, and enforce rules that shall have the effect of accomplishing the objectives set out in Sections 17.004(a) and (b) and 17.102. (c) The board of directors of the electric cooperative or its designee shall perform the dispute resolution function provided for by Section 17.157 for electric customers served by the electric cooperative within its certificated service area. (d) With respect to electric customers served by an electric cooperative outside its certificated service area or otherwise served through others' distribution facilities, after the legislature authorizes retail competition, the provisions of this chapter as administered by the commission shall apply. (e) Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to apply to a wholesale customer of an electric cooperative. (f) An electric cooperative shall periodically provide with bills sent to retail customers of the cooperative information about: (1) the cooperative's procedure for implementing involuntary load shedding; (2) the types of customers who may be considered critical care residential customers, critical load industrial customers, or critical load according to commission rules adopted under Section 38.076; (3) the procedure for a customer to apply to be considered a critical care residential customer, a critical load industrial customer, or critical load according to commission rules adopted under Section 38.076; (4) reducing electricity use at times when involuntary load shedding events may be implemented; and (5) the procedure for a customer to request vegetation management near a transmission or distribution line. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1579, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 30, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 426 (S.B. 3), Sec. 11, eff. June 8, 2021. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 564 (H.B. 1606), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2025.