Minutes, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, June 12, 2024 (88th Texas Legislature)
Summary
Minutes of a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce on June 12, 2024, chaired by Senator Charles Schwertner, at which the chair laid out interim charges and opened invited testimony. The charges cover electricity market design, including incentives for new thermal generation, wholesale market rulemaking, the impacts of variable resources such as wind and solar, and monitoring the implementation of House Bill 1500, 88th Legislature. They also cover future transmission and distribution needs of the state and the impact of energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining facilities on the Texas electric grid. Public testimony was closed and the committee recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
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MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
9:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of
the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in the
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following
business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Campbell, Senator Creighton,
and Senator Menéndez.
The Chair laid out the following interim charges and opened invited testimony (see attached
witness list) for discussion:
Electricity Market Design: Assess state efforts to provide incentives for new thermal generation.
Review and report on the state of the electricity market in Texas and issues impacting the
reliability and resiliency of the Texas electric grid. Consider rulemaking related to wholesale
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Page 2
market design, including the impact of these changes on grid reliability, market revenues, costs
to consumers, and the efficiency of operations. Examine and report on the direct and indirect
impacts that variable resources, such as wind and solar, have on grid resiliency, consumer prices,
and market uncertainty. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 1500, 88th Legislature.
Senator King assumed the chair.
Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.
Transmitting Texas Power: Identify the future electric transmission and distribution system
needs of the state and recommend ways to reduce barriers to constructing the necessary electric
infrastructure to support the growing demand and changes in technology. Review and make any
necessary recommendations to enhance legislation passed during the 88th legislative session,
including the status of projects to improve the safety and resiliency of the transmission system,
as well as the effect of current and future projects on consumer costs.
Senator King assumed the chair.
Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.
Impact of Bitcoin Mining on the Texas Electric Grid: Study the impact of energy-intensive
cryptocurrency mining facilities on the Texas electric grid. Report on whether any changes
should be made to ERCOT demand response programs and large flexible load registration
requirements to limit the impact of these facilities on system reliability and consumer costs.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 4:24 PM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand
recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Page 3
__________________________________________
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair
__________________________________________
Annika Vandayar, Clerk
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