The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved the first plan submitted by an electric utility to strengthen the resiliency of its electric systems and facilities and protect Texans against natural disasters and other threats.
“The size and geographic diversity of Texas is unmatched in its beauty and complexity. The miles of coastline, windy plains, rugged Hill Country, piney woods, and all areas in between present a unique array of challenges and extreme weather threats to the electric system that powers our everyday lives,” PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson said. “The system resiliency plan approved today is an important step forward in ensuring electric infrastructure in Texas is ready for these threats, strengthened to minimize potential damage, and prepared to quickly recover from any event. Reliable electricity is essential to the health and safety of all Texans, so we must be prepared.”
House Bill 2555, enacted by the Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in 2023, allows electric utilities in Texas to file a resiliency plan for approval with the PUCT. The plans must include measures that would help the utility prevent, withstand, mitigate, or more promptly recover from resiliency events, which include extreme weather, wildfires, and cybersecurity or physical security threats. Specific requirements for resiliency plans are outlined in Section 25.62 of the PUCT’s rules.
The plan approved by the Commission today was submitted by Oncor, which serves areas in east, west and north-central Texas. American Electric Power Texas, Texas-New Mexico Power Company, and Entergy Texas have also submitted resiliency plans, which are under review.
Oncor’s approved plan includes measures to mitigate the risk of wildfires, strengthen their overhead and underground distribution systems, protect against lightning strikes, expand vegetation management programs, implement physical security at critical facilities, and enhance the digital capability of their system to protect against cybersecurity threats.
Oncor’s full resiliency plan and associated public filings are available in PUCT Docket No. 56545.
PUCT approval of Oncor’s resiliency plan allows Oncor to begin implementing these resiliency measures and, as specified in House Bill 2555, permits Oncor to recover the costs associated with the improvements through rates applied to their customers’ future electric bills.
To ensure accountability, any electric utility with a Commissionapproved resiliency plan must file an annual resiliency plan report by May 1 of each year, beginning the year after the plan was approved. The report must include an implementation status update, an evaluation of the effectiveness of resiliency improvements, and specific evidence that demonstrates resiliency benefits.