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Texas Bill Would Expand Criteria For Disconnection For Non-Pay Moratoriums
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SB 1312, authored by State Sen. Molly Cook (D), has been filed in Texas which would expand the criteria under which moratoriums for disconnection for non-payment are imposed
SB 1312 would specifically expand the definition of "extreme weather emergency", the presence of which triggers a DNP moratorium
In addition to the existing criteria, SB 1312 would add the following as qualifying as an "extreme weather emergency":
any county in the relevant service territory is
the subject of a weather-related disaster declaration by the
governor under Chapter 418, Government Code [emphasis added]
More specifically, under SB 1312 a retail electric provider, power generation company,
aggregator, or other entity that provides retail electric service
may not disconnect service to a residential customer during an
extreme weather emergency or on a weekend day.
The entity providing
service shall defer collection of the full payment of bills that are
due during an extreme weather emergency until after the emergency
is over, "and shall work with customers to establish a pay schedule
for deferred bills." (no change in language versus current law)
"Extreme
weather emergency" under SB 1312 means a period when (the first two criteria are existing law):
(1) the previous day's highest temperature did not
exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature is predicted to
remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours according to the
nearest National Weather Service reports;
(2) the National Weather Service issues a heat
advisory for any county in the relevant service territory, or when
such an advisory has been issued on any one of the previous two
calendar days; or
(3) any county in the relevant service territory is
the subject of a weather-related disaster declaration by the
governor under Chapter 418, Government Code.
Notably, the bill is proposed to take effect September 1, 2025
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February 14, 2025
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Copyright 2025 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
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