The Railroad Commission of Texas must prepare and submit weather emergency preparedness reports about certain natural gas facilities, and it may require updated emergency plans and adopt rules for the report process.
Sec. 186.008. RAILROAD COMMISSION WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS REPORTS. (a) In this section, "commission" means the Railroad Commission of Texas. (b) The commission shall analyze emergency operations plans developed by operators of facilities that produce, treat, process, pressurize, store, or transport natural gas and are included on the electricity supply chain map created under Section 38.203 and prepare a weather emergency preparedness report on weatherization preparedness of those facilities. In preparing the report, the commission shall: (1) review any emergency operations plans on file with the commission; (2) analyze and determine the ability of the electricity supply chain, as mapped under Section 38.203, to withstand extreme weather events in the upcoming year; (3) consider the anticipated weather patterns for the upcoming year as forecasted by the National Weather Service or any similar state or national agency; and (4) make recommendations on improving emergency operations plans and procedures in order to ensure the continuity of natural gas service for the electricity supply chain, as mapped under Section 38.203. (c) The commission shall require an entity subject to this section to file an updated emergency operations plan if it finds that an emergency operations plan on file does not contain adequate information to determine whether the entity can provide adequate natural gas services. (d) The commission may adopt rules relating to the implementation of the report described by Subsection (b). (e) The commission shall submit the report described by Subsection (b) to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the legislature not later than September 30 of each even-numbered year. (f) The commission may submit additional weather emergency preparedness reports if the commission finds that significant changes to weatherization techniques have occurred or are necessary to protect consumers or vital services, or if there have been changes to statutes or rules relating to weatherization requirements. A report under this subsection must be submitted not later than: (1) March 1 for a summer weather emergency preparedness report; and (2) September 1 for a winter weather emergency preparedness report. (g) The emergency operations plans submitted for a report described by Subsection (b) and any additional plans submitted under Subsection (f) are public information except for the portions of the plan considered confidential under Chapter 552, Government Code, or other state or federal law. If portions of a plan are designated as confidential, the plan shall be provided to the commission in a redacted form for public inspection with the confidential portions removed. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 426 (S.B. 3), Sec. 25, eff. June 8, 2021. SUBCHAPTER B. MANIPULATION OF SERVICE FOR CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES