The committee substitute to SB 15 (Fraser) relating to state energy policy and the planning of energy development and utilization was passed out of the Senate as amended with 28 ayes and 3 nays. CSSB 15 would set up a process for strategic energy planning that would include the Texas Energy Policy Council charged with creating a statewide energy policy plan to be presented to the legislature every two years prior to the start of the legislative session. This plan would include both short and long-term considerations, take into account a variety of considerations, and recommend strategies that both preserve the environment and encourage production of safe, economically viable, reliable, market-based sources of energy.
