Sec. 447.006. ADDITIONAL ENERGY AND WATER SERVICES. (a) The state energy conservation office may provide additional energy and water services, including:

(1) training of designated state employees in energy and water management, energy-accounting techniques, water-accounting techniques, and energy efficient and water efficient design and construction;

(2) technical assistance regarding energy efficient and water efficient capital improvements, energy efficient and water efficient building design, and cogeneration and thermal storage investments;

(3) technical assistance to the state auditor or a state agency regarding energy and water management performance audits and the monitoring of utility bills to detect billing errors;

(4) technical assistance to a state agency regarding third-party financing of an energy efficient and water efficient capital improvement project; and

(5) other energy-related and water-related assistance that the office considers appropriate, if the assistance is requested by a state agency, an institution of higher education, a consortium of institutions of higher education, or another governmental entity created by state law.

(b) Using available state, federal, or oil overcharge funds, the state energy conservation office may provide technical assistance to a state agency or an institution of higher education in analyzing or negotiating rates for electricity or natural gas supplies from a locally certificated electric supplier, a natural gas supplier, or a state-owned energy resource, including a transportation charge for natural gas.

(c) A state agency or an institution of higher education may request the assistance of the state energy conservation office before negotiating or contracting for the supply or transportation of natural gas or electricity.

(d) A state agency or an institution of higher education with expertise in rate analysis, negotiation, or any other matter related to the procurement of electricity and natural gas supplies from a locally certificated electric supplier, a natural gas supplier, or a state-owned energy resource may assist the state energy conservation office whenever practicable. The attorney general on request shall assist the office and other state agencies and institutions of higher education in negotiating rates for electricity and other terms of electric utility service.

(e) Using available funds from any source, the state energy conservation office may assist a state agency, an institution of higher education, a consortium of institutions of higher education, or another governmental entity created by state law to further the goals and pursue the policies of the state in energy research as may be determined by the governor or the legislature. The office may assist a state agency in implementing current federal energy policy.

(f) The state energy conservation office on request may negotiate rates for electricity and other terms of electric utility service for a state agency or an institution of higher education. The office also may negotiate the rates and the other terms of service for a group of agencies or institutions in a single contract.

(g) The state energy conservation office may analyze the rates for electricity charged to and the amount of electricity used by state agencies and institutions of higher education to determine ways the state could obtain lower rates and use less electricity. Each state agency, including the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and institution of higher education shall assist the office in obtaining the information the office needs to perform its analysis.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 52, art. 2, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 612, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 526, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 698, Sec. 6, eff. Aug. 28, 1995; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 573, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1158, Sec. 28, eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1398, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Redesignated from Government Code Sec. 447.008 and reenacted and amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 29, eff. June 20, 2003.