88R6947 ANG-F     By: Reynolds H.B. No. 2502       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of an energy efficiency loan guarantee   program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 388, Health and Safety Code, is amended   by adding Section 388.013 to read as follows:          Sec. 388.013.  ENERGY EFFICIENCY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.   (a) The comptroller and the State Energy Conservation Office by   rule shall establish and administer a program to issue or guarantee   loans for energy audits, upgrades, or retrofits to increase the   energy efficiency of commercial buildings and residences that are   not newly constructed.          (b)  Rules adopted under this section must establish   eligibility requirements to receive a loan or loan guarantee under   this section.  The requirements must include emissions reduction   cost-effectiveness criteria.          (c)  The State Energy Conservation Office shall:                (1)  use money from federal grants available through   the United States Department of Energy to begin the program   established under this section and leverage private capital or   state resources, if money available under the grants is   appropriated for that purpose; and                (2)  establish policies for the use of federal grants   that are compatible with requirements associated with the issuance   of those grants.          (d)  The State Energy Conservation Office may use a portion   of the money or other resources described by Subsection (c) for   grants, technical assistance, or administrative expenses.          (e)  The State Energy Conservation Office annually shall   submit to the commission and the laboratory a report that:                (1)  evaluates the effectiveness of the program   established under this section; and                (2)  quantifies energy savings and emissions   reductions as a result of this program for consideration in the   state implementation plan for emissions reduction credit.          SECTION 2.  Section 389.002, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 389.002.  USE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION FOR FEDERAL   RECOGNITION OF EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS. The commission, using   information derived from the reports to the commission under   Sections 386.205, 388.003(e), [and] 388.006, and 388.013, shall   take all appropriate and necessary actions so that emissions   reductions achieved by means of activities under Chapters 386 and   388 are credited by the United States Environmental Protection   Agency to the appropriate emissions reduction objectives in the   state implementation plan.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.