WEBVTT
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(indistinct chatter)
(gavel bangs)
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I've always wanted
to do that (chuckles).
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So at 9:32, I will call this meeting
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of the Electric Supply Chain,
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Security and Mapping Committee to order.
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We'll do a roll call first.
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So I'm Thomas Gleason,
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I'm the Executive Director of
the Public Utility Commission
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and I'm also the
Chair of this committee.
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And with me is Wei Wang,
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Executive Director of
the Railroad Commission
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and Vice Chair of this committee.
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We have two other
members of the committee
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who could not be here today.
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TDEM Chief, Nim Kidd, and Brad Jones,
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who was interim CEO
and President of ERCOT.
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They were called
away to be out of Austin
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on urgent business.
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So, we'll miss them,
but they can go back
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and watch this
recording at a later date.
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Just to kind of set the
stage for everyone watching
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and everyone in here.
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Basically what we're gonna do
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is we're gonna have updates
from the different project teams
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that we created last
summer at our first meeting,
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that cover all the
different requirements
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that this committee is
supposed to be looking at.
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All the different policy areas
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and I've asked people
to do no more than five
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to seven minutes on that,
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so they can take questions as well.
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And we'll run through
this, I think pretty efficiently.
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And yeah, that's basically
the plan for this meeting.
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We'll also be discussing at a later date
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as big milestones come
up with this committee
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having a future public
meetings like this
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so that the public
and market participants
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can hear the work that's going on
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in relation to this committee.
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And Wei if you have
any opening comments,
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happy to hear them.
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Yes, thank you Chairman.
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I think the Mapping Committee,
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the work we've been
doing is a great example
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of collaboration as we work
with implemented legislation
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passed during last session.
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And thanks to the hard work
that our staff has been doing.
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I think we made major progress,
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and I feel good to say
that I think that the state
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as a whole is better prepared.
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And I think every
Texan should be assured
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that we're taking every
measure to ensure just that.
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And we're glad to be a
major part of the solution
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to protect every Texan
in a energy emergency.
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So with that, I'll turn it back you.
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Perfect, thank you.
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So the first team we're gonna hear from
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is our Report team, Tom
Hunter, who's on PUC staff.
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We had a statutory
deadline of getting a report
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that had specific requirements in it
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done in to the legislature
by December 31st.
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We met that deadline, so
we've asked Tom to come
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and give an overview of
the contents of that report.
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So Tom, I'll turn it over to you.
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Good morning.
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Yes, the Mapping Report was
submitted early, in December.
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And generally speaking,
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the report had to
address three broad areas.
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I'm gonna touch briefly on all of those.
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Some of the teams that are behind me,
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will get into a little bit more detail.
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So, basically the report was required
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to address three areas.
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One, the status of the
committee's findings
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regarding the supply chain
and identifying critical sources
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needed to operate
critical infrastructure.
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And then second, recommended
communication system
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among the committee members,
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and the electric and gas industries
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to prioritize critical
infrastructure service
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during weather emergencies.
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And finally, recommending
best practices, and oversight,
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and compliance standards
to prepare the electric
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and gas industries to
serve critical infrastructure
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in those difficult times.
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The report was
required by the legislature
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only to be submitted once,
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but this committee has
committed to updating the report,
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at least every,
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bi-annually to coincide with
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the PUC's Agency Report,
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that's due January 15th, of
every odd numbered year,
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to prepare for the legislature.
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So, we've committed to do that.
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So briefly on the status
of the Supply Chain Map,
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much work has been done
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by all the agencies of the committee,
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the Railroad Commission,
PUC, ERCOT, and TDEM.
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Using data from each
of these existing agencies
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to basically identifying,
collecting, consolidating,
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all of this data regarding
critical infrastructure
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to use in creating the Supply Chain Map.
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We're also using third-party
data sources for some of this.
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The PUC, ERCOT and
the Railroad Commission
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have also entered into an MOU,
memorandum of understanding,
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to share this data, much
of which is confidential.
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So we need to figure
out how best to do that.
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And then we need to,
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once we get that
data and consolidate it,
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we need to put it in a form
where we can actually use it.
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And that's what's going on right now.
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Committee teams have
met regularly since August
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and sometimes weekly,
actually to get this work done.
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So they're working very,
very hard to gather data
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from the gas and
electric industries as well.
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Supply Chain Map, primarily
their use will be for TDEM
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in weather emergencies.
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And so we want to make
sure that we consult,
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and we have been consulting with TDEM
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to make sure the map has
the elements that they need,
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when they need to use the
map in weather emergencies.
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Also critical in all of that
is the Railroad Commission
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and PUC have adopted
critical natural gas facilities rules,
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both of which were done in November.
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Those are kind of the key to identifying
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what types of facilities
need to be on this map.
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So we've defined what those are.
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Now, we need to identify
them and find them
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and put them on the map.
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And then the report
goes into more detail
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about each of those rules.
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So the second piece of the
report is communication system
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to ensure the electricity
to critical infrastructure.
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And basically we have outlined the steps
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that the industries
have taken to prepare
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for the winter of 2021 and 2022.
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And again, much coordination
among in between these agencies
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since the summer of
'21 to share information.
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The EDs you two meet
regularly to talk about
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various implementation
issues, legislative issues,
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current issues, mapping issues.
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So there's a lot of coordination
between our two agencies.
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The Railroad Commission
has done extended preparation,
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they've held industry seminars,
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issued notices to industry
to make needed preparations
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for cold weather and
reminding gas operators
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to complete their forms
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to be designated as critical customers
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for their electric utilities.
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And they've conducted
approximately 3000 site visits
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to various types of facilities
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to check on winter preparation.
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ERCOT has required gas generators
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to identify pipelines that
serve each of these generators
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so we know where they
are and who they are.
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They've adopted a
crisis communication plan
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to communicate with key constituencies,
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including the public
and the legislature.
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And they've hired a
Director of Weatherization
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and Inspection to
oversee ERCOT inspection,
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site inspections, and
they even conducted
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approximately 300 generator site visits
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for winter readiness,
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focusing on units that that
may have had problems in 2021.
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TDEM has also been involved in this.
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We're actively communicating with them
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on things that they need from us.
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Finally, the third part of the report,
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best practices and compliance standards.
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We use that as a way
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to update our legislative
implementation progress
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and much has been done on that.
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The PUC Weatherization Rule
was adopted in October of 2021
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requires generators to adopt
winter readiness standards
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by December 1st of '21, and
attest that they've done that.
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All of our generators
have now done that.
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And phase two of the
Winter Weatherization Rule
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will be a more comprehensive
year-round Weatherization Rule
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that we hope to get adopted in 2022.
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We have several other
rulemakings in process,
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including emergency operations plan,
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power outage alert criteria,
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review of administrative
penalty authority.
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All of these are ongoing
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and we hope to have adopted by 2022.
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Those are the main things,
the PUC and Railroad
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are doing all we can to
enhance communication
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and coordination among these industries.
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That's the overarching
goal of all of these efforts
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between the gas and electric industries.
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And we think we're doing a good job
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and the report I think does a good job
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of outlining all those efforts
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in order to better serve all Texans.
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So, happy to take any questions.
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Thanks, Tom.
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And I think it's in the point
you made about the report
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and doing it iteratively going
forward is an important one.
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And I wanna thank the
rest of the committee
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for agreeing to do that.
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That was actually my
recommendation coming out of
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some legislation that
was passed in 2011,
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after the last rotating outages we had.
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Where the PUC was required to review
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emergency operations plans
and produce a report once.
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And during the last legislative session,
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we heard that even though
the law required only one report
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that we should have
been doing this iteratively.
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And so we're going
to adopt that standard
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for the reports coming
out of this committee.
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And so I really appreciate that.
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Yeah, thank you Chairman.
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I think that's a great suggestion.
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The report should be at
living document, so is the map.
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I think as things change,
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we should update the
report and map accordingly
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to reflect what's going on in the state.
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Absolutely.
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All right, Tom, thank you.
Thank you.
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So the next project team lead,
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we'll call up Therese Harris
with the Mapping Team.
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I think the map is what
gets the most coverage
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coming out of this as it's
in the committee's name.
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And also some other
work that'll be done,
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particularly at the Railroad Commission
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has kind of pegged to
this map getting completed.
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So Therese, thanks for
being here and go ahead.
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Well, thank you.
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And good
Good morning.
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morning, Wei, Thomas.
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And before I reach
out and let you all know
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what to expect in Q1 2022,
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I'd like to go back and
give you a bit of background.
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So the weekly mapping
meetings began in July, 2021.
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Initial activities included
review of the information
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maintained by the PUC
and the Railroad Commission
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to identify information
that needs to be gathered
00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:58.170
to build out the Electricity
Supply Chain Map.
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And two, we determined a
method to share data sets
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to satisfy the security
and the data requirements
00:10:04.710 --> 00:10:06.230
of the Mapping Team.
00:10:06.230 --> 00:10:09.580
These weekly meetings have
also included ERCOT and TDEM.
00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:11.250
And initial meeting with TDEM
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was held to begin the conversation
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to build out attribute tables
that would be necessary
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for end-users during an activation
00:10:20.350 --> 00:10:22.480
at the State Operations Center.
00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.850
In October of 2021,
00:10:24.850 --> 00:10:27.580
the Mapping Team began
to meet twice a week.
00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:30.240
The second mapping
meeting is a work session
00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.090
for our GIS specialists,
00:10:32.090 --> 00:10:35.230
from the PUC and the Railroad
Commission to share data,
00:10:35.230 --> 00:10:38.890
discuss mapping techniques,
work through mapping issues,
00:10:38.890 --> 00:10:42.593
and inform workflow
and process documents.
00:10:43.670 --> 00:10:45.620
To date, the PUC's completed work
00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:47.900
includes the following activities.
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We have conducted an inventory
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of our current electric datasets
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that includes transmission lines,
00:10:53.322 --> 00:10:55.420
electric generation facilities,
00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:57.520
and transmission substations.
00:10:57.520 --> 00:11:00.120
We have researched options to update
00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:02.480
the current electric datasets.
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We have received electric data sets
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from several outside sources.
00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:10.270
We have converted data
provided by ERCOT into a format
00:11:10.270 --> 00:11:14.840
that can be used with the
PUC's mapping software.
00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:18.150
And we have shared
information in GIS format
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with the Railroad Commission
00:11:19.550 --> 00:11:22.610
of the natural gas
dependent generating facilities
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in the ERCOT power region.
00:11:24.530 --> 00:11:28.630
So ongoing work at the PUC
includes data preparation,
00:11:28.630 --> 00:11:29.870
and this is really ongoing.
00:11:29.870 --> 00:11:31.981
It's comparing data
from multiple sources
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and compiling it into a
single reliable dataset
00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:37.080
for preparation and inclusion
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into the electricity supply chain map
00:11:39.400 --> 00:11:42.570
and building the geo database
that is maintained by the PUC
00:11:43.540 --> 00:11:46.920
to not only include
the physical location
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of generating facilities,
electric transmission,
00:11:50.010 --> 00:11:52.740
and distribution lines and substations
00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:55.490
that end users will be
able to view on a map.
00:11:55.490 --> 00:11:58.120
But to also include
sufficient attribute table
00:11:58.120 --> 00:12:01.070
to ensure that the
electricity supply chain map
00:12:01.070 --> 00:12:04.643
can be easily used and
understood by end users
00:12:04.643 --> 00:12:08.180
in emergencies and
contains sufficient, unique,
00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:11.900
identifying information to
communicate with ERCOT,
00:12:11.900 --> 00:12:15.123
electric utilities, and
generating facilities
00:12:15.123 --> 00:12:17.690
so that we can quickly obtain
00:12:17.690 --> 00:12:21.700
any additional information
requested by the end users.
00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:25.990
And as I mentioned, TDEM
is an example of our end user.
00:12:25.990 --> 00:12:29.520
So today the Railroad
Commission's completed work
00:12:29.520 --> 00:12:31.810
includes the following activities.
00:12:31.810 --> 00:12:33.800
The Railroad Commission
has set up a data team
00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:36.033
for departmental
validation of information
00:12:36.033 --> 00:12:39.430
to be included in the
Electric Supply Chain Map.
00:12:39.430 --> 00:12:41.810
They have documented
their workflow process
00:12:41.810 --> 00:12:44.830
to gather, update, and
maintain data tables.
00:12:44.830 --> 00:12:47.060
Ongoing Railroad
Commission work includes
00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:50.270
multiple data requests
to inform identification
00:12:50.270 --> 00:12:52.252
of critical infrastructure sources
00:12:52.252 --> 00:12:55.150
an example of which is not exhaustive
00:12:55.150 --> 00:12:57.000
includes natural gas production wells,
00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:00.700
natural gas storage facilities,
and compressor stations
00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:03.630
that are part of the
electricity supply chain.
00:13:03.630 --> 00:13:05.320
So, they have also connected
00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:07.840
identified critical
infrastructure sources
00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:10.390
to the natural gas
dependent generating facilities
00:13:10.390 --> 00:13:12.410
in the ERCOT power region.
00:13:12.410 --> 00:13:14.611
There are building
corresponding data tables
00:13:14.611 --> 00:13:17.450
to be included in the geo database
00:13:17.450 --> 00:13:18.950
that is maintained by the PUC.
00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:25.050
So ERCOT has worked with
the PUC to provide digital data
00:13:25.050 --> 00:13:26.880
in a secure manner that is needed
00:13:26.880 --> 00:13:29.410
to build out the electricity
supply chain map
00:13:29.410 --> 00:13:31.180
in the ERCOT power region.
00:13:31.180 --> 00:13:34.030
Information provided to the PUC,
00:13:34.030 --> 00:13:36.520
includes locational and
attribute data relating
00:13:36.520 --> 00:13:39.621
to transmission, substation,
and generating facilities
00:13:39.621 --> 00:13:44.460
ERCOT's work on this project
has been truly invaluable.
00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:47.980
So what to expect for Q1 2022,
00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:50.370
we're gonna continue
to build out the database.
00:13:50.370 --> 00:13:52.160
We're gonna continue to work
00:13:52.160 --> 00:13:54.630
to fill gaps in the geo database.
00:13:54.630 --> 00:13:56.000
We're gonna share data sets
00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:59.650
between the Railroad Commission,
PUC, ERCOT, and TDEM.
00:13:59.650 --> 00:14:02.250
This is a past and current activity.
00:14:02.250 --> 00:14:05.460
We're gonna continue the
conversation with TDEM
00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:07.900
and the PUC and
Railroad Commission staff
00:14:07.900 --> 00:14:10.341
that are activated to the
SOC during an emergency
00:14:10.341 --> 00:14:13.940
to make sure that all the
critical attribute information
00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:17.100
is included in the
electricity supply chain map.
00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:18.740
We will refine our data.
00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:21.140
We will seek input
from electric utilities,
00:14:21.140 --> 00:14:24.010
immunities and electric
cooperatives with transmission
00:14:24.010 --> 00:14:26.680
to confirm certain
transmission information.
00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:29.483
And this would be primarily
in the non-ERCOT areas.
00:14:31.110 --> 00:14:34.670
And as critical infrastructure
sources are identified
00:14:34.670 --> 00:14:39.480
and uploaded from the
Railroad Commission to the PUC
00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:43.120
on our shared space, the
Mapping team will request
00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:46.029
specific distribution level data
00:14:46.029 --> 00:14:51.029
to the identified critical
infrastructure sources
00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:52.870
from the utilities.
00:14:52.870 --> 00:14:56.710
So, we will have meetings
with electric utilities
00:14:56.710 --> 00:14:59.330
to discuss confidential sharing
00:14:59.330 --> 00:15:00.970
of the distribution level data
00:15:00.970 --> 00:15:03.990
to connect the critical
infrastructure sources
00:15:03.990 --> 00:15:05.120
which are loads,
00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:08.270
which have been identified
by the Railroad Commission
00:15:08.270 --> 00:15:10.910
to the transmission system.
00:15:10.910 --> 00:15:13.660
We're going to connect the
critical infrastructure sources
00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:15.620
identified by the Railroad Commission
00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.660
to the electricity supply chain
00:15:17.660 --> 00:15:20.370
via the relevant distribution data
00:15:20.370 --> 00:15:22.500
that we receive from the utilities.
00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:24.963
And finally, we will be testing our map.
00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:28.230
And so one observation that I have
00:15:28.230 --> 00:15:29.929
is that the Railroad Commission
00:15:29.929 --> 00:15:33.670
is working to identify the
critical infrastructure sources.
00:15:33.670 --> 00:15:36.760
And as I mentioned,
those are storage facilities,
00:15:36.760 --> 00:15:39.400
compressor stations, processing plants
00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:41.430
that are part of the
electricity supply chain.
00:15:41.430 --> 00:15:43.699
And while these critical
infrastructure sources
00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:46.270
may be placed on a map,
00:15:46.270 --> 00:15:49.960
they will not be connected
to the electricity supply chain
00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:53.400
until the committee obtains and maps
00:15:53.400 --> 00:15:55.760
the electric distribution level data
00:15:55.760 --> 00:15:58.760
from the load from the
critical infrastructure source
00:15:58.760 --> 00:16:00.990
and connects it to the
transmission system
00:16:00.990 --> 00:16:02.853
via the distribution line data.
00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:06.190
And to incorporate this information
00:16:06.190 --> 00:16:09.680
into the electricity supply
chain in an expedient manner,
00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:13.240
the committee expects
to provide electric utilities
00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:17.430
with lists of the easy IDs
in areas open to competition
00:16:17.430 --> 00:16:21.620
or premise identifiers in
areas not open to competition
00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:25.210
when possible to
allow the electric utilities
00:16:25.210 --> 00:16:28.740
to quickly identify the
needed information
00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.433
and provide it to the committee.
00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.639
So that's what I have.
00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.620
Thanks, Theresa.
00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.410
And I think that's an important point
00:16:36.410 --> 00:16:37.270
for everyone to remember.
00:16:37.270 --> 00:16:38.950
This is gonna be an iterative process,
00:16:38.950 --> 00:16:40.540
we'll get a first run map.
00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:43.678
We've committed, although
the statute requires it to be done
00:16:43.678 --> 00:16:46.000
by the end of this fiscal
year, by September.
00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:47.940
We've committed to
get a first run map out
00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:50.700
in April which I think
is really important.
00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:53.980
But it may not be as
granular as we would like it.
00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:56.620
We need to get
distribution level information,
00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.343
that's very important to making sure
00:16:58.343 --> 00:17:01.070
that we can map the
entire electric supply chain.
00:17:01.070 --> 00:17:03.900
Do you have a sense that first run map
00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:06.687
that we produce in
April kind of how far back
00:17:06.687 --> 00:17:10.460
that will be able to go based
on kind of the information
00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:12.000
we have now and where
you see the information?
00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:14.160
How fast do you see
the information coming in?
00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:17.160
Well, from the Railroad
Commission side,
00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:19.600
I believe that the Railroad Commission
00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:21.590
is going to try to get the information
00:17:21.590 --> 00:17:23.520
all the way back to production.
00:17:23.520 --> 00:17:26.020
So where possible,
00:17:26.020 --> 00:17:29.610
they will contact the
natural gas suppliers
00:17:29.610 --> 00:17:31.330
or the pipeline operators
00:17:31.330 --> 00:17:34.380
to see who supplies
the natural gas to them.
00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:36.790
It's not always possible
from what I understand
00:17:36.790 --> 00:17:39.090
in my conversations with
the Railroad Commission
00:17:39.090 --> 00:17:41.520
due to gathering line systems
00:17:41.520 --> 00:17:44.700
and certain sales of natural gas,
00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:46.550
but where possible they will go back
00:17:46.550 --> 00:17:47.850
all the way to production.
00:17:49.692 --> 00:17:52.980
For the PUC is just
really critical to remember
00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:55.860
that the electric distribution line data
00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:58.860
is absolutely essential and is needed
00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:00.380
from the electric utilities
00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.540
in order to connect the information
00:18:02.540 --> 00:18:04.740
that we get from the Railroad Commission
00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:07.450
to our electricity supply chain map.
00:18:07.450 --> 00:18:08.283
Absolutely, yeah.
00:18:08.283 --> 00:18:09.880
And we'll be requesting that information
00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:12.580
and expect the utilities
will have no problem
00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:13.995
providing that to us.
00:18:13.995 --> 00:18:14.828
Sounds great.
00:18:14.828 --> 00:18:17.777
I think from what I'm hearing,
00:18:17.777 --> 00:18:20.280
we're trying to kind of close a loop.
00:18:20.280 --> 00:18:22.430
I think the methodology
we have been using
00:18:22.430 --> 00:18:25.010
started with the power
generators and back off
00:18:25.010 --> 00:18:28.530
from the directly served
pipeline all the way to production.
00:18:28.530 --> 00:18:30.630
And now the other side of the map
00:18:30.630 --> 00:18:34.810
is electric distribution
system going to these facilities.
00:18:34.810 --> 00:18:35.643
Is that correct?
00:18:35.643 --> 00:18:36.812
That's correct.
00:18:36.812 --> 00:18:39.550
And it's dependent on the identification
00:18:39.550 --> 00:18:42.950
of the critical infrastructure sources
00:18:42.950 --> 00:18:44.410
by the Railroad Commission.
00:18:44.410 --> 00:18:47.340
As soon as that becomes available,
00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:51.010
then we can turn around
and make that request
00:18:51.010 --> 00:18:53.370
to the electric utilities.
00:18:53.370 --> 00:18:55.640
Now, Chairman I
also have Jason Clark
00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:57.270
who is the Col Lead on this team.
00:18:57.270 --> 00:18:58.430
And if you don't mind,
Absolutely.
00:18:58.430 --> 00:19:00.270
I'd like to ask him to
Jason, come on up, please.
00:19:00.270 --> 00:19:04.680
give a brief update on
the preliminary map layers
00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:06.250
and the work that he has been doing.
00:19:06.250 --> 00:19:07.668
Sure, thank you, Wei.
00:19:07.668 --> 00:19:10.610
As Therese said, and as Wei said,
00:19:10.610 --> 00:19:13.150
we have been working
diligently all staff members
00:19:13.150 --> 00:19:16.910
with regard to monitoring, updating,
00:19:16.910 --> 00:19:19.560
going into all of our disparate systems
00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:20.540
and pulling the information
00:19:20.540 --> 00:19:23.280
not only for processing
plant information,
00:19:23.280 --> 00:19:25.620
underground storage
facility information,
00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:27.280
but those mentioned inside the bill.
00:19:27.280 --> 00:19:29.630
So on our preliminary map layer,
00:19:29.630 --> 00:19:32.260
what we've tried to do is
through our communication
00:19:32.260 --> 00:19:35.710
and our successful
meetings, identify those points
00:19:35.710 --> 00:19:38.030
and start looking at where
they're gonna coincide
00:19:38.030 --> 00:19:40.207
with the electrical generated facilities
00:19:40.207 --> 00:19:41.750
and the power generation facilities
00:19:41.750 --> 00:19:44.070
that require natural gas to operate.
00:19:44.070 --> 00:19:46.020
So we've been quite successful.
00:19:46.020 --> 00:19:48.450
I think our meetings
have been very productive,
00:19:48.450 --> 00:19:50.340
not only identifying the sources,
00:19:50.340 --> 00:19:52.880
but also looking at
the map collaboratively
00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.310
and understanding how all these pieces
00:19:54.310 --> 00:19:55.250
are gonna fit together.
00:19:55.250 --> 00:19:57.380
So I'm really excited about the progress
00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.380
we've made thus far.
00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.789
Good, thank you.
00:20:00.789 --> 00:20:02.160
That's great.
Okay.
00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:03.540
Is there anything
that you all need
00:20:03.540 --> 00:20:06.480
from this committee going forward
00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:09.140
to help you all accomplish your goals?
00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.510
Well, to be perfectly honest,
00:20:10.510 --> 00:20:11.850
I think you've already mentioned it,
00:20:11.850 --> 00:20:13.540
Thomas, and I really appreciate it
00:20:13.540 --> 00:20:18.476
and that is the electric
utilities coming alongside us
00:20:18.476 --> 00:20:20.270
to help us close the loop
00:20:20.270 --> 00:20:22.570
and complete the
electricity supply chain map.
00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.230
Perfect.
Okay.
00:20:25.230 --> 00:20:26.063
Thanks y'all.
Thank you.
00:20:26.063 --> 00:20:26.896
Appreciate it.
00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:31.050
So the next team we're gonna
hear from Weatherization,
00:20:31.050 --> 00:20:31.883
Ramia.
00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:34.920
And then Wei, did you want RJ
00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.753
to come up as well?
RJ, can you?
00:20:35.753 --> 00:20:36.930
Perfect.
Yes.
00:20:36.930 --> 00:20:37.880
Thank you chairman.
00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.260
Good morning.
Good morning.
00:20:45.730 --> 00:20:47.330
So I'm gonna repeat everything
00:20:47.330 --> 00:20:50.020
that Tom already said.
00:20:50.020 --> 00:20:52.980
So the PUC adopted
the Weatherization Rule
00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.610
in October of last year.
00:20:54.610 --> 00:20:59.610
And the generators and TSPs,
transmission service providers,
00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:04.380
had to implement the
Winter Weather Readiness
00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:07.520
recommendations from
the 2012 Quanta report.
00:21:07.520 --> 00:21:11.284
And the TSPs had also to
implement the key recommendations
00:21:11.284 --> 00:21:15.003
that were laid out in
NRC-FRC report from 2011.
00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:19.560
Additionally, we also requested
00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:22.750
that all the ERCOT generators and TSPs
00:21:22.750 --> 00:21:25.530
remedy any known and acute failures
00:21:25.530 --> 00:21:29.763
that happened from the
winter of 2020 and 2021.
00:21:31.690 --> 00:21:34.980
So per our rule language
by December 1st,
00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:38.220
all the ERCOT generators and TSPs
00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:42.410
provided the Winter
Weather Readiness Reports.
00:21:42.410 --> 00:21:45.660
And those described all the
activities that were undertaken
00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:49.239
to comply with the
winter weather readiness.
00:21:49.239 --> 00:21:51.509
And we also got all
the notarized attestation
00:21:51.509 --> 00:21:56.509
from the highest ranking
official from all the entities.
00:21:58.260 --> 00:22:01.370
Eight companies representing
13 generation resources
00:22:01.370 --> 00:22:03.140
missed the filing deadline,
00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:04.791
and PUC staff had recommended
00:22:04.791 --> 00:22:09.150
administrative penalties
against these reporting failures.
00:22:09.150 --> 00:22:13.440
Like Tom mentioned, 302
electric generation units
00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:15.100
were inspected by ERCOT
00:22:16.270 --> 00:22:18.862
and about 10 resources
00:22:18.862 --> 00:22:23.110
had identified potential deficiencies.
00:22:23.110 --> 00:22:24.020
They were pretty minor
00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:27.500
and most of them have
already been corrected.
00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:31.280
The resources had a
total capacity of about 1.7%
00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:33.563
of the total ERCOT generation fleet.
00:22:35.444 --> 00:22:39.200
ERCOT also noted that
many of the generation entities
00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:42.870
adopted winter weatherization measures
00:22:42.870 --> 00:22:47.450
that went above and beyond
what our rules required.
00:22:47.450 --> 00:22:52.450
ERCOT inspected 22
transmission service facilities,
00:22:52.450 --> 00:22:53.773
mostly substations.
00:22:55.557 --> 00:22:57.370
And there were about six facilities
00:22:57.370 --> 00:23:00.410
that had some minor deficiencies,
00:23:00.410 --> 00:23:02.050
but they've all been corrected.
00:23:02.050 --> 00:23:04.440
ERCOT will be filing their final report,
00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:08.873
summarizing their inspection
findings on January 18th, 2022.
00:23:10.930 --> 00:23:15.700
Internally, PUC staff has
already started the phase two
00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:17.700
for the weather preparedness, which will
00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:23.330
cover weatherization for all seasons,
00:23:23.330 --> 00:23:26.290
for electric generators and TSPs.
00:23:26.290 --> 00:23:28.770
The public more formal
process will commence
00:23:28.770 --> 00:23:31.230
in the second quarter of 2022.
00:23:31.230 --> 00:23:33.630
So, if you have any other questions.
00:23:33.630 --> 00:23:36.170
So Ramia, based
on that timeline,
00:23:36.170 --> 00:23:39.260
when would you anticipate
that our phase two rule
00:23:39.260 --> 00:23:40.713
would be in effect?
00:23:42.090 --> 00:23:44.293
Definitely before the
winter of next year,
00:23:44.293 --> 00:23:46.970
the next winter of 2022.
00:23:46.970 --> 00:23:48.681
Thank you.
00:23:48.681 --> 00:23:50.610
Thomas, Wei, thanks.
00:23:50.610 --> 00:23:53.050
The report that was
submitted to the legislature
00:23:53.050 --> 00:23:55.120
included a section
about our site visits,
00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:56.760
and I wanted to talk a little bit more
00:23:56.760 --> 00:24:01.580
about our site visits
regarding winter preparations.
00:24:01.580 --> 00:24:04.280
We're getting some valuable
information from these visits,
00:24:04.280 --> 00:24:07.060
and it's essentially a
concept that we're utilizing,
00:24:07.060 --> 00:24:08.620
where it's a boots on the ground,
00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:10.670
eyes on the assets approach,
00:24:10.670 --> 00:24:13.170
where our inspectors
from different divisions
00:24:13.170 --> 00:24:16.900
are able to directly observe
the devices and methods
00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:19.150
that are being implemented by operators
00:24:19.150 --> 00:24:22.570
as they get ready to
prepare for any type
00:24:22.570 --> 00:24:26.310
of a winter weather emergency,
if they need to deal with it.
00:24:26.310 --> 00:24:30.350
The types of facilities,
pardon me, that we're visiting
00:24:30.350 --> 00:24:32.400
include oil and gas leases,
00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:35.550
with the active producing
wells and disposal wells,
00:24:35.550 --> 00:24:38.130
underground natural
gas storage facilities,
00:24:38.130 --> 00:24:42.610
gas processing plants,
and transmission pipelines,
00:24:42.610 --> 00:24:44.448
both pipelines that directly serve
00:24:44.448 --> 00:24:48.590
gas fired power generators
and transmission pipelines
00:24:48.590 --> 00:24:50.693
that transport natural gas.
00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:55.030
We started these site visits
towards the end of the summer,
00:24:55.030 --> 00:24:57.640
and we are continuing
them through the winter time,
00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:59.990
and we'll continue them
over the coming months.
00:25:01.190 --> 00:25:04.120
One thing to note about this,
00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:06.830
is that we're getting some
very important information
00:25:06.830 --> 00:25:08.960
about best practices
from these site visits.
00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:11.590
Not just from the direct
observations that we're doing,
00:25:11.590 --> 00:25:14.070
but also through
conversations that we've had
00:25:14.070 --> 00:25:16.040
with operators in Canada, for example,
00:25:16.040 --> 00:25:19.669
which, who often have
to deal with significant
00:25:19.669 --> 00:25:21.570
winter emergencies.
00:25:21.570 --> 00:25:23.850
And we've also had calls with executives
00:25:23.850 --> 00:25:27.730
from large oil and gas
producing companies.
00:25:27.730 --> 00:25:30.010
So, utilizing all that information,
00:25:30.010 --> 00:25:33.040
we compiled that information
into the best practices section
00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:36.180
of the report that Tom talked about.
00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:38.550
We've also sent notices to operators
00:25:38.550 --> 00:25:40.650
on these best practices.
00:25:40.650 --> 00:25:44.310
We've also had several webinars,
00:25:44.310 --> 00:25:47.420
industry specific
webinars on winter preps.
00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:49.570
And one of those was
actually conducted by
00:25:49.570 --> 00:25:53.600
a major oil and gas
producer here in the state,
00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:56.560
in which they were able
to impart their information
00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:58.160
to their peers.
00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:02.180
Final note, obviously
we've talked about,
00:26:02.180 --> 00:26:03.450
information gets updated.
00:26:03.450 --> 00:26:04.970
So, in terms of the site visits,
00:26:04.970 --> 00:26:08.040
we've conducted more
than 3, 700 visits so far,
00:26:08.040 --> 00:26:10.870
and they've encompassed
oil and gas leases
00:26:10.870 --> 00:26:14.500
with more than 21, 000 active wells,
00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:17.010
underground gas storage
facilities that account
00:26:17.010 --> 00:26:20.000
for about half of the
states gas storage,
00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:23.030
92 transmission
pipelines that directly serve
00:26:23.030 --> 00:26:24.490
gas fired power plants,
00:26:24.490 --> 00:26:28.081
and more than 260 transmission pipelines
00:26:28.081 --> 00:26:30.580
transporting natural gas.
00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.720
So, a significant number.
00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:33.890
And as I mentioned,
we'll continue those.
00:26:33.890 --> 00:26:35.650
So, needless to
say, a lot of work.
00:26:35.650 --> 00:26:36.700
A lot of work, yes.
00:26:38.800 --> 00:26:41.160
We're utilizing inspectors
from our different divisions,
00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:45.160
oil and gas, pipeline,
safety, critical infrastructure.
00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:47.010
And this may actually
be a question for you, Wei.
00:26:47.010 --> 00:26:49.020
Is this inspection
program, is this something
00:26:49.020 --> 00:26:51.120
you all stood up recently,
00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:55.340
or has this been kind of a
program that you've had ongoing?
00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:57.770
This is a program we started
toward the end of the summer,
00:26:57.770 --> 00:27:00.150
you know, getting ready
for this upcoming winter.
00:27:00.150 --> 00:27:04.780
And two purposes of that,
is like what RJ was saying,
00:27:04.780 --> 00:27:07.980
we want to go physically
visit these facilities,
00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:10.090
and ask questions,
and make observations.
00:27:10.090 --> 00:27:13.386
Looking at what kind of
methodology processes,
00:27:13.386 --> 00:27:15.570
equipment they're
putting on their assets.
00:27:15.570 --> 00:27:18.910
And then when we can
verify they're preparing
00:27:18.910 --> 00:27:20.200
or taking measures.
00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:24.290
I think among all of the
facilities that we have visited,
00:27:24.290 --> 00:27:27.100
every single one of them
have taken some measures,
00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:30.034
and many of them completed,
I think a majority of them
00:27:30.034 --> 00:27:32.343
already completed their preparation.
00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:35.560
Keeping in mind that we
started this in the summer.
00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:37.940
So some of them
were still in the process.
00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:42.390
So I think the second part
of this is also is informative
00:27:42.390 --> 00:27:46.420
in coming up with our
weatherization best practices,
00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:49.590
in which, end up in our report.
00:27:49.590 --> 00:27:53.730
And also we have been
sharing that with other producers.
00:27:53.730 --> 00:27:56.320
To make sure that they are
made aware of other things
00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:58.990
or creative ideas that
people are using to prepare.
00:27:58.990 --> 00:28:00.780
Yeah. I mean, just
for context, I mean,
00:28:00.780 --> 00:28:03.640
that's a tremendous amount
of work to stand up a program.
00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:05.230
And then, within four to six months,
00:28:05.230 --> 00:28:06.940
have done 3, 700 site visits.
00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.663
I think is a lot of really good work.
00:28:08.663 --> 00:28:09.517
So good. Yeah.
00:28:09.517 --> 00:28:14.517
Yep. I think we have
mobilized about 250 inspectors
00:28:15.186 --> 00:28:18.270
from various divisions,
and everybody is pitching in,
00:28:18.270 --> 00:28:19.920
and we provided the training,
00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:22.130
and they have been out
there for three, four months,
00:28:22.130 --> 00:28:25.350
and they'll continue that
effort through this winter.
00:28:25.350 --> 00:28:26.660
That's great.
00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:28.910
Do you all need anything
from this committee?
00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.973
Thank you, Thomas.
00:28:31.973 --> 00:28:35.080
We've been, I think a lot
of help from the industry
00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:37.400
and from ERCOT and the Commission.
00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:38.700
It's very good. Thank you.
00:28:40.028 --> 00:28:41.630
We're good.
00:28:41.630 --> 00:28:42.463
Thank you.
00:28:42.463 --> 00:28:45.370
Thanks y'all, appreciate it.
00:28:45.370 --> 00:28:47.586
So we've heard some
about critical facilities.
00:28:47.586 --> 00:28:50.790
We'll, hear from David
Smelser, and from RJ,
00:28:50.790 --> 00:28:53.253
about an update on critical facilities.
00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:58.660
Mr. Smelser, good morning.
00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:07.860
Ah, thanks Thomas.
00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:12.460
A lot of what there is to
say about critical facilities
00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:15.390
is sort of been discussed at
length at the open meetings
00:29:15.390 --> 00:29:16.990
of both the public utility Commission
00:29:16.990 --> 00:29:18.570
and the Railroad Commission.
00:29:18.570 --> 00:29:21.060
I think as we know, the
most significant movement
00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:24.140
in this area has been the
implementation of HB 3648,
00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:29.140
which is our effort to
coordinate the two industries
00:29:29.730 --> 00:29:31.720
by having the Railroad
Commission identify critical
00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:35.060
facilities and having the
utility Commission direct their
00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:37.620
utilities to incorporate
information about these critical
00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:41.800
facilities into their load shed
and power restoration plans.
00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:43.880
The general goal, just being
to help these two industries
00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:46.080
coordinate better in an
emergency and make sure
00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:49.762
that generators get the
gas that they need to stay on
00:29:49.762 --> 00:29:53.173
to the extent that, that
is an ongoing issue.
00:29:54.910 --> 00:29:57.040
The details of the rulemaking,
I won't get into too much,
00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:58.460
cause we've discussed that at length,
00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.890
but I will say that this
committee worked diligently
00:30:00.890 --> 00:30:03.560
in between the proposal
and adoption stages
00:30:03.560 --> 00:30:08.153
of these rulemakings
to respond to issues
00:30:09.310 --> 00:30:13.170
from the legislature and
general public concern.
00:30:13.170 --> 00:30:14.650
And some of those issues might be,
00:30:14.650 --> 00:30:16.750
we wanted to narrow the scope.
00:30:16.750 --> 00:30:17.810
The Railroad Commission did a great job
00:30:17.810 --> 00:30:19.770
of narrowing the scope
of what is considered
00:30:19.770 --> 00:30:22.030
a critical facility, to
sort of combat the,
00:30:22.030 --> 00:30:24.653
if everything's critical,
nothing is critical,
00:30:24.653 --> 00:30:26.370
sort of problem.
00:30:26.370 --> 00:30:30.000
And they did that through
sort of a further parsing
00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:31.970
out the categories of
entities through things like
00:30:31.970 --> 00:30:33.900
production volumes and things.
00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:36.441
So that only the most
critical resources would be
00:30:36.441 --> 00:30:38.290
sort of viewed as critical.
00:30:38.290 --> 00:30:40.580
And they also moving
the other direction.
00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:43.020
I think did a good job of working with
00:30:43.020 --> 00:30:45.250
their exemption provision to make sure
00:30:45.250 --> 00:30:48.460
that truly critical
facilities would not qualify
00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:50.180
to apply for exemption.
00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:53.180
And that work will continue
because additional facilities
00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:56.240
that are identified as critical
on the Supply Chain Map
00:30:56.240 --> 00:31:00.060
will also be ineligible
to apply for exemption.
00:31:00.060 --> 00:31:01.880
And in fact, if they're
not designated as critical,
00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:06.235
now, they will be required to
have critical status based on,
00:31:06.235 --> 00:31:08.123
the outcome of the mapping.
00:31:09.090 --> 00:31:11.270
The team also worked
really hard to streamline
00:31:11.270 --> 00:31:14.003
the requirements for
industry sake so that,
00:31:16.590 --> 00:31:19.080
the highlight of this
was the one form solution
00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:20.950
so that entities could get
everything that they needed
00:31:20.950 --> 00:31:23.710
on one sheet that would
go to the Commission
00:31:23.710 --> 00:31:24.543
and the utilities and everything.
00:31:24.543 --> 00:31:26.760
And it's gonna be a lot more streamlined
00:31:26.760 --> 00:31:29.110
than it was in the proposal stage.
00:31:29.110 --> 00:31:30.450
Since the passage of those.
00:31:30.450 --> 00:31:33.310
I know that I'll let my
colleague speak about that,
00:31:33.310 --> 00:31:35.050
but I know both agencies
have done outreach
00:31:35.050 --> 00:31:37.060
within their industries
to make sure that
00:31:37.060 --> 00:31:39.670
the critical gas facilities
were providing the information
00:31:39.670 --> 00:31:44.320
and that the electric utilities
were prepared to receive it.
00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:48.790
On the Commission side,
we have rolled out our website
00:31:48.790 --> 00:31:50.530
that has the contact information
00:31:50.530 --> 00:31:54.220
in each of the critical facilities
00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:56.540
is supposed to provide
their information to.
00:31:56.540 --> 00:31:59.220
On that website today,
one of the next steps,
00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:01.710
I think it's gonna be ready today.
00:32:01.710 --> 00:32:04.400
We're working on initial
guidance document,
00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:07.500
which is going to assist
utilities and knowing
00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:09.990
basically how to make best
use of this critical information.
00:32:09.990 --> 00:32:12.533
So under the rules and the legislation,
00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:16.270
each electric utility will use
00:32:16.270 --> 00:32:17.460
the knowledge of their system,
00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:19.180
which is always gonna
be greater than ours.
00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.310
The particulars of their system,
00:32:20.310 --> 00:32:22.852
to determine the most
efficient way to handle
00:32:22.852 --> 00:32:25.430
their own individual load shed plans,
00:32:25.430 --> 00:32:28.370
but to sort of help a Statewide
coordinated approach.
00:32:28.370 --> 00:32:30.540
We're gonna be issuing
some broad guidance
00:32:30.540 --> 00:32:34.020
on how they might prioritize
between natural gas facilities.
00:32:34.020 --> 00:32:36.540
That's based on stakeholder
input that was filed
00:32:36.540 --> 00:32:38.750
in the projects in front of
the Railroad Commission
00:32:38.750 --> 00:32:40.930
and the Public Utility Commission.
00:32:40.930 --> 00:32:43.760
And I do want to
emphasize that statutorily,
00:32:43.760 --> 00:32:46.010
these utilities do have discretion
00:32:46.010 --> 00:32:47.130
to develop their own plans.
00:32:47.130 --> 00:32:49.550
And so our guidance is
not gonna be mandatory.
00:32:49.550 --> 00:32:52.580
And right now it's gonna be
sort of broad and high level
00:32:52.580 --> 00:32:55.930
with potentially future
iterations of this guidance
00:32:55.930 --> 00:32:58.740
being informed by
insights that come from
00:32:58.740 --> 00:33:01.850
the Supply Chain Map,
insights that come from
00:33:01.850 --> 00:33:04.040
the good work that's being done by TERC,
00:33:04.040 --> 00:33:08.360
and also potentially review
of emergency operation plans.
00:33:08.360 --> 00:33:12.540
Which is another sort of
potentially relevant activity
00:33:12.540 --> 00:33:13.373
that's going on right now.
00:33:13.373 --> 00:33:17.024
The Public Utility Commission
has project 51841 open,
00:33:17.024 --> 00:33:20.700
which is sort of streamlining
the format and requirements
00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:23.090
for emergency operation plans across
00:33:23.090 --> 00:33:25.770
different types of electric entities.
00:33:25.770 --> 00:33:28.497
And there are a
number of features of this
00:33:28.497 --> 00:33:30.010
that will be relevant to us,
00:33:30.010 --> 00:33:32.980
such as each utility has
to have a load shed annex,
00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.540
that describes what
their load shed plans are.
00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:37.840
And it has to contain sort
of critical load registries
00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:40.290
of their different critical customers.
00:33:40.290 --> 00:33:43.780
And so the ERCOT and the Commission,
00:33:43.780 --> 00:33:46.380
will be required to review
these for other purposes,
00:33:47.388 --> 00:33:49.350
but the entirety of the
ermerg operation plans,
00:33:49.350 --> 00:33:52.850
but those annexes in
particular could very well provide
00:33:52.850 --> 00:33:56.710
useful insights for us in
further developing the way
00:33:56.710 --> 00:33:59.180
that we think about
critical gas facilities,
00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:02.510
and management of those
facilities in emergency situations.
00:34:02.510 --> 00:34:07.050
And I don't want to get too
deep on this without ERCOT,
00:34:07.050 --> 00:34:08.310
cause they know the
details better than me,
00:34:08.310 --> 00:34:10.495
but I know there's also been
important work being done
00:34:10.495 --> 00:34:13.780
in ERCOT involving NPR 1087.
00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:17.629
And sort of the general
issue that that's addressing is
00:34:17.629 --> 00:34:22.150
our electric industry has
a number of programs,
00:34:22.150 --> 00:34:25.440
ancillary services in
such where different sorts
00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:28.680
of industrial resources
can participate in programs
00:34:28.680 --> 00:34:33.467
to for instance, receive
compensation to turn off when
00:34:34.680 --> 00:34:36.040
we're low on electricity.
00:34:36.040 --> 00:34:38.090
But if it's a critical
natural gas facility,
00:34:38.090 --> 00:34:40.620
we wouldn't want it to turn off
during an energy emergency.
00:34:40.620 --> 00:34:45.004
And so, ERCOT's NPR
is focusing on making sure
00:34:45.004 --> 00:34:49.540
that critical entities aren't
participating in programs
00:34:49.540 --> 00:34:51.470
that would undermine the
purpose of those programs
00:34:51.470 --> 00:34:52.303
and undermine the purpose
00:34:52.303 --> 00:34:54.090
of keeping critical entities online.
00:34:54.090 --> 00:34:57.700
And I think that we might
anticipate some market notices
00:34:57.700 --> 00:35:00.446
with regard to the
progression of that process
00:35:00.446 --> 00:35:02.453
in the near future.
00:35:03.905 --> 00:35:07.870
And I think that's most of
what's going on right now.
00:35:07.870 --> 00:35:09.324
I mean, moving forward, I know that,
00:35:09.324 --> 00:35:11.660
I think Railroad Commission's rules,
00:35:11.660 --> 00:35:12.720
I'll let you speak to that.
00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:14.260
Whether or not you're
anticipating a phase two.
00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:18.780
I know that based on the
various things that I talked about,
00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:20.440
the map, the TERC, and all those things,
00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.740
we may end up having a phase two
00:35:21.740 --> 00:35:26.740
of our critical
facilities rule mid-year.
00:35:26.798 --> 00:35:29.620
And I know that we also
have to incorporate other sorts
00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:33.220
of critical entities into
the way we think about
00:35:33.220 --> 00:35:35.800
our emergency planning,
such as critical water facilities,
00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:37.910
and critical medical facilities.
00:35:37.910 --> 00:35:39.590
And so we're gonna
continue to work through that,
00:35:39.590 --> 00:35:42.963
through probably second
and third quarter of this year.
00:35:44.010 --> 00:35:46.430
David, so the guidance
document you spoke about,
00:35:46.430 --> 00:35:49.150
do you know right now, how
we're planning to disseminate
00:35:49.150 --> 00:35:51.840
that or where the
utilities can access that?
00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:55.083
Yeah, we may incorporate
other aspects to it,
00:35:57.004 --> 00:35:58.620
but the primary place to go for this,
00:35:58.620 --> 00:36:01.460
is we have the part on our website,
00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.870
critical natural gas facilities,
00:36:02.870 --> 00:36:05.540
is where we currently
have a little description
00:36:05.540 --> 00:36:07.427
of the requirements
of the new rulemakings.
00:36:07.427 --> 00:36:10.530
And we include, for instance,
where the email addresses are,
00:36:10.530 --> 00:36:11.363
where people are supposed
00:36:11.363 --> 00:36:13.240
to spend their critical
natural gas information.
00:36:13.240 --> 00:36:16.640
That will be a location
where we post this.
00:36:16.640 --> 00:36:19.970
We'll probably also file it
in some relevant dockets,
00:36:19.970 --> 00:36:23.430
but we want it to be
easy to get ahold of.
00:36:23.430 --> 00:36:26.180
And then concerning
emergency operation plan reviews.
00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:28.590
That was an issue that
came up a lot during session,
00:36:28.590 --> 00:36:29.779
particularly in the house.
00:36:29.779 --> 00:36:33.119
Do you know statutorily what
the timeline is for us to have
00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:36.753
to review emergency operation plans?
00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:41.688
I do, well sort of working
from now to the future.
00:36:41.688 --> 00:36:46.688
I think that we hope to
have our rule adopted
00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:49.050
in early February.
00:36:49.050 --> 00:36:51.530
I know that Barksdale English
and the project team group
00:36:51.530 --> 00:36:55.690
is working with getting
a outside consultant
00:36:55.690 --> 00:36:56.990
to help us review all those plans.
00:36:56.990 --> 00:36:59.740
And I believe without being certain
00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:01.859
that I think our review
is due in September.
00:37:01.859 --> 00:37:03.820
Okay.
00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.653
Thanks.
00:37:04.653 --> 00:37:08.390
And David, I think you
recently published a directory
00:37:08.390 --> 00:37:12.670
for the electric utility so
that the critical gas facilities
00:37:12.670 --> 00:37:14.490
will know where to
send their information,
00:37:14.490 --> 00:37:16.640
that's available on
the website, correct?
00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:17.473
Yes, sir.
00:37:17.473 --> 00:37:19.330
That's also linked to the same
wEPPage that I referred to,
00:37:19.330 --> 00:37:20.380
and the way that you can,
00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.730
if you're not familiar with our website,
00:37:21.730 --> 00:37:23.900
if you go to the public
utility Commissions website,
00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:25.700
there are tabs on the top,
00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:27.410
and one of those is a industry tab.
00:37:27.410 --> 00:37:31.940
If you tag that tab under,
there's a list of electric links
00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:33.617
and one of those is
critical natural gas facilities.
00:37:33.617 --> 00:37:36.813
And so it should be
hopefully intuitive to get to.
00:37:37.730 --> 00:37:39.110
Thank you.
Thank you.
00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.850
He said everything
I was gonna say, so.
00:37:44.511 --> 00:37:48.380
Per HB, 3648, the
deadline for us to adopt
00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:51.740
and for y'all to adopt rules,
were set at December 1st.
00:37:51.740 --> 00:37:55.260
And we adopted our Critical
Infrastructure Designation Rules
00:37:55.260 --> 00:37:56.290
on November 30th.
00:37:56.290 --> 00:38:00.500
And as David mentioned,
through the rule making process,
00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:02.240
and based on comments, we received,
00:38:02.240 --> 00:38:05.160
we excluded low volume,
natural gas producers
00:38:05.160 --> 00:38:07.450
from our critical designation rules,
00:38:07.450 --> 00:38:11.410
because of their minimal
contribution to the gas supply,
00:38:11.410 --> 00:38:14.130
they would not have
had a much of an impact.
00:38:14.130 --> 00:38:18.801
Then we created a category
defining critical gas suppliers,
00:38:18.801 --> 00:38:21.810
which would be required to file
00:38:21.810 --> 00:38:25.050
their critical information
forms and attachments to us.
00:38:25.050 --> 00:38:27.270
And those include gas wells, oil wells,
00:38:27.270 --> 00:38:28.640
that produce natural gas,
00:38:28.640 --> 00:38:31.410
underground natural
gas storage facilities,
00:38:31.410 --> 00:38:33.550
to salt water disposal wells.
00:38:33.550 --> 00:38:38.470
And as I mentioned they
are sending information to us,
00:38:38.470 --> 00:38:40.623
their critical customer information.
00:38:41.550 --> 00:38:44.360
We created a subset
of critical gas suppliers
00:38:44.360 --> 00:38:47.360
because not all of them may
need electricity to operate.
00:38:47.360 --> 00:38:52.360
So those subset of suppliers facilities,
00:38:52.380 --> 00:38:55.030
are defined as critical gas customers.
00:38:55.030 --> 00:38:57.620
And they, in addition to sending
00:38:57.620 --> 00:38:59.610
critical customer information to us,
00:38:59.610 --> 00:39:03.700
would in turn, send information
to their electric providers.
00:39:03.700 --> 00:39:08.260
And that essentially assures
that the electricity providers
00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:10.260
have the most up-to-date information
00:39:10.260 --> 00:39:12.770
about who they need
to supply electricity to
00:39:12.770 --> 00:39:15.500
in case of energy emergencies.
00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:18.540
So this was all done through
the rule-making process
00:39:18.540 --> 00:39:21.330
and taking in all the different comments
00:39:21.330 --> 00:39:23.670
that were submitted to us.
00:39:23.670 --> 00:39:28.670
One thing that was mentioned,
and certainly a large topic
00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:31.040
during the rule-making
process was language
00:39:31.040 --> 00:39:33.950
in Senate Bill 3, that
allowed facilities to apply
00:39:33.950 --> 00:39:36.890
for an exception to our
critical designation rules
00:39:36.890 --> 00:39:40.410
and through the rules
that we finally adopted,
00:39:40.410 --> 00:39:42.810
we specified that
certain types of facilities
00:39:42.810 --> 00:39:44.930
cannot apply for exceptions.
00:39:44.930 --> 00:39:47.350
And one of the
examples, is directly tied
00:39:47.350 --> 00:39:49.210
to this committee's work.
00:39:49.210 --> 00:39:52.870
And that is if a facility ends
up on the Supply Chain Map,
00:39:52.870 --> 00:39:55.060
they will not be able to
apply for an exception.
00:39:55.060 --> 00:40:00.060
So, we put in these restrictions
and review processes
00:40:00.890 --> 00:40:03.280
that are gonna be key,
in terms of ensuring
00:40:03.280 --> 00:40:07.910
that natural gas supply flows
during energy emergencies.
00:40:07.910 --> 00:40:10.570
Yeah. And I think that's
an important point to make
00:40:10.570 --> 00:40:15.570
because the media and
there was a lot of talk about
00:40:15.570 --> 00:40:17.610
the ability to opt out.
00:40:17.610 --> 00:40:20.460
And so I think you all
addressing that was critical
00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:22.130
to the success of all of this,
00:40:22.130 --> 00:40:25.363
definitely a salient point
that needs to be made.
00:40:27.562 --> 00:40:29.780
The only other thing I would say is,
00:40:29.780 --> 00:40:32.490
it's maybe somewhat out of
the purview of this committee,
00:40:32.490 --> 00:40:36.100
but your point David
on looking at water,
00:40:36.100 --> 00:40:37.513
as critical as well.
00:40:38.590 --> 00:40:41.300
We heard in a lot of the
testimony during the session,
00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:44.460
and before this Commission
from folks who lost water,
00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:47.970
who had water issues
that were as impactful
00:40:47.970 --> 00:40:49.560
as the loss of electricity.
00:40:49.560 --> 00:40:51.140
So I think that that will
definitely be something
00:40:51.140 --> 00:40:52.220
very important going forward
00:40:52.220 --> 00:40:55.130
to be able to identify
the water infrastructure
00:40:55.130 --> 00:40:57.180
that needs to be
deemed critical as well.
00:40:58.679 --> 00:40:59.989
All right, thanks y'all.
00:40:59.989 --> 00:41:00.822
Thank you.
00:41:00.822 --> 00:41:02.923
Thanks.
Thank you.
00:41:02.923 --> 00:41:05.660
Next on the agenda
is communications,
00:41:05.660 --> 00:41:08.670
and I'll ask Sean Hazard to come up.
00:41:08.670 --> 00:41:11.430
Sean is the PUC main resource
00:41:11.430 --> 00:41:13.420
at the State Operations Center.
00:41:13.420 --> 00:41:16.030
The focus for us on
this committee thus far
00:41:16.030 --> 00:41:17.720
in communications has really been around
00:41:17.720 --> 00:41:21.770
not external communications,
as much as communications
00:41:21.770 --> 00:41:24.000
in an emergency between the agencies,
00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:26.370
between the agencies and industry,
00:41:26.370 --> 00:41:28.560
between the industries themselves.
00:41:28.560 --> 00:41:31.030
For the PUC, Sean is our person
00:41:31.030 --> 00:41:32.330
at the State Operation Center,
00:41:32.330 --> 00:41:34.250
that's coordinating
and facilitating all that.
00:41:34.250 --> 00:41:35.920
So, he's gonna give the presentation
00:41:35.920 --> 00:41:38.180
on communications this morning.
00:41:38.180 --> 00:41:40.362
So thank you Thomas, Wei.
00:41:40.362 --> 00:41:42.310
We're continuing to work with our
00:41:42.310 --> 00:41:46.990
Emergency Council Member
Partners to identify ways
00:41:46.990 --> 00:41:50.880
to improve communications
during the activation
00:41:50.880 --> 00:41:53.650
of the State Operation
Center, on an operational level,
00:41:53.650 --> 00:41:55.185
as you mentioned.
00:41:55.185 --> 00:41:56.770
There's two parts to this.
00:41:56.770 --> 00:41:58.880
First, we want to make
sure that our partner agencies
00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:02.800
like TCQ, TXDOT,
Railroad, DPS, and TDEM,
00:42:02.800 --> 00:42:06.300
we know what information
is gonna be helpful for them.
00:42:06.300 --> 00:42:08.330
And then conversely
taking that knowledge
00:42:08.330 --> 00:42:10.780
and going to the energy
industry and making sure
00:42:10.780 --> 00:42:13.230
that they're prepared to
provide that information
00:42:14.540 --> 00:42:15.763
when the need arises.
00:42:16.800 --> 00:42:19.360
We've developed two new
communications channels.
00:42:19.360 --> 00:42:21.510
These have been created
to expedite communication
00:42:21.510 --> 00:42:23.580
between regulators
and the energy industry
00:42:23.580 --> 00:42:26.770
during the activation of
the State Operation Center.
00:42:26.770 --> 00:42:28.690
These channels
allow us to initiate calls
00:42:28.690 --> 00:42:30.633
and virtual meetings,
virtually instantly
00:42:30.633 --> 00:42:32.183
during an emergency.
00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:36.010
The Texas Energy Reliability Committee,
00:42:36.010 --> 00:42:38.330
also has a subgroup
working on recommendations
00:42:38.330 --> 00:42:40.650
to improve communications
during disasters
00:42:40.650 --> 00:42:42.193
and other emergency events.
00:42:43.120 --> 00:42:47.290
Finally, the Power Outage
Alert Rulemaking is proceeding,
00:42:47.290 --> 00:42:49.660
and we're working
through the comments now.
00:42:49.660 --> 00:42:52.190
This rule will ultimately
provide a guide
00:42:52.190 --> 00:42:54.380
for when alerts will be issued.
00:42:54.380 --> 00:42:56.450
However, it is worth
noting that the technology
00:42:56.450 --> 00:42:58.530
to send an alert is already in place.
00:42:58.530 --> 00:43:01.340
So an alert can be sent
immediately if needed,
00:43:01.340 --> 00:43:02.600
and this is not dependent
00:43:02.600 --> 00:43:04.400
on the completion of the rulemaking.
00:43:06.640 --> 00:43:08.980
How many years have
you been going to the SOC,
00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:10.006
would you say?
00:43:10.006 --> 00:43:11.454
Roughly.
00:43:11.454 --> 00:43:12.600
Seven.
00:43:12.600 --> 00:43:16.790
Have you seen a change
operationally down there
00:43:16.790 --> 00:43:20.060
that you could speak to
from pre-storm and how,
00:43:20.060 --> 00:43:22.470
agencies interacted in the
communication channels
00:43:22.470 --> 00:43:25.510
and kind of where we
are even today as we strive
00:43:25.510 --> 00:43:27.680
to continually do better,
00:43:27.680 --> 00:43:29.270
but just kind of the
change even since maybe
00:43:29.270 --> 00:43:32.330
the February 2021 Uri activation,
00:43:32.330 --> 00:43:34.430
and how that may have improved?
00:43:34.430 --> 00:43:35.263
Sure.
00:43:39.750 --> 00:43:41.740
The best way I can
describe it, is stability.
00:43:41.740 --> 00:43:43.550
The faces are familiar.
00:43:43.550 --> 00:43:46.730
There has not been a lot of
turnover among those folks
00:43:46.730 --> 00:43:49.810
that do respond to the
State Operations Center.
00:43:49.810 --> 00:43:53.640
And it feels like every
single activation that we have,
00:43:53.640 --> 00:43:55.300
we're learning something new,
00:43:55.300 --> 00:43:59.220
and documenting it with those
folks that we're working with.
00:43:59.220 --> 00:44:01.360
The way we're configured
at the State Operation Center
00:44:01.360 --> 00:44:05.323
is based on what is called,
Emergency Support Functions.
00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:10.667
ESF 12 is energy, and the
folks that support that ESF,
00:44:12.040 --> 00:44:15.890
TCQ, Railroad Commission,
TXDOT, and a number of others,
00:44:15.890 --> 00:44:17.660
we all sit within six feet of each other
00:44:17.660 --> 00:44:18.810
in the State Operation Center.
00:44:18.810 --> 00:44:21.150
So communication is very fluid,
00:44:21.150 --> 00:44:24.680
but having the same folks responding
00:44:24.680 --> 00:44:26.150
for the last couple of years,
00:44:26.150 --> 00:44:27.550
those relationships have grown,
00:44:27.550 --> 00:44:30.250
and communication has
definitely gotten better.
00:44:30.250 --> 00:44:32.530
Now, the proximity you
talked about all sitting together,
00:44:32.530 --> 00:44:35.090
is that new, or is that
always how it's been?
00:44:35.090 --> 00:44:35.923
That's how it's been,
00:44:35.923 --> 00:44:37.830
since I've been responding to the SOC.
00:44:37.830 --> 00:44:40.000
Okay, perfect.
00:44:40.000 --> 00:44:41.750
And my understanding is that
00:44:41.750 --> 00:44:44.519
we're now on the same response team
00:44:44.519 --> 00:44:48.720
and the two agencies has
been assigned to two or three,
00:44:48.720 --> 00:44:50.638
so together with other agencies.
00:44:50.638 --> 00:44:54.920
Now just PUC, NRC I think
with TXDOT, and TDEM,
00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:56.900
and other agency TCEQ.
00:44:56.900 --> 00:44:59.680
We're now literally sitting
shoulders to shoulders
00:44:59.680 --> 00:45:01.470
together on the same team.
00:45:01.470 --> 00:45:02.305
That's correct.
00:45:02.305 --> 00:45:03.360
And y'all can turn around
and talk to each other,
00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:05.480
and know who they are, whom to talk to.
00:45:05.480 --> 00:45:06.900
That's correct.
00:45:06.900 --> 00:45:08.270
Great, great.
00:45:08.270 --> 00:45:10.000
Perfect. Do you
need anything from us?
00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:11.140
I think we're good for now.
00:45:11.140 --> 00:45:12.144
Perfect. Thank you, Sean.
00:45:12.144 --> 00:45:13.997
Thank you.
Thank you.
00:45:13.997 --> 00:45:16.025
And the last project
team we developed
00:45:16.025 --> 00:45:17.440
was for our database.
00:45:17.440 --> 00:45:19.140
Obviously everything for
the map needs to be put
00:45:19.140 --> 00:45:21.730
into a database, which
statutorily has to be updated,
00:45:21.730 --> 00:45:22.790
I believe annually.
00:45:22.790 --> 00:45:25.300
So Gina Smith, who leads that team,
00:45:25.300 --> 00:45:27.400
I've asked to just kind
of give a brief update
00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:30.250
on where we are kind of from
the IT database perspective.
00:45:31.504 --> 00:45:32.870
Good morning, Gina.
Good morning, Thomas.
00:45:32.870 --> 00:45:35.023
Good morning, Wei.
Good morning.
00:45:35.023 --> 00:45:37.910
Mine's gonna be
short, and to support
00:45:37.910 --> 00:45:40.356
what David Smelser
said, just a second ago,
00:45:40.356 --> 00:45:43.250
in accordance with project 52345,
00:45:43.250 --> 00:45:48.250
subsection 25.52, H1B.
00:45:49.140 --> 00:45:51.190
The database team has
established a wEPPage
00:45:51.190 --> 00:45:53.670
with the market
directory of utility emails
00:45:53.670 --> 00:45:56.930
of the transmission and
distribution service providers,
00:45:56.930 --> 00:46:01.230
AKA utilities to be used for
the provision of the new rule.
00:46:01.230 --> 00:46:03.340
Instructions are also
provided on the site,
00:46:03.340 --> 00:46:05.780
asking electric
utilities to file updates
00:46:05.780 --> 00:46:08.840
to their contact information
through the PUC interchange
00:46:08.840 --> 00:46:11.713
under project 52964.
00:46:13.600 --> 00:46:16.640
Also the PUC will be providing
a mechanism for utilities
00:46:16.640 --> 00:46:20.150
to upload updated mapping
information on an ongoing
00:46:20.150 --> 00:46:22.270
and an ad needed basis.
00:46:22.270 --> 00:46:24.550
The utilities uploading
this information could be
00:46:24.550 --> 00:46:27.803
anyone of the electric companies
listed on our new wEPPage.
00:46:29.100 --> 00:46:31.150
The best option recommended
by the database team
00:46:31.150 --> 00:46:34.200
is One Drive, it'll serve this purpose.
00:46:34.200 --> 00:46:37.000
The Mapping team will
retrieve and then offload the files
00:46:37.000 --> 00:46:39.080
onto a secure drive
that is used to store
00:46:39.080 --> 00:46:41.454
their current mapping files.
00:46:41.454 --> 00:46:44.100
In the future, a SharePoint
site could be set up
00:46:44.970 --> 00:46:47.560
for the utilities to upload
their information to,
00:46:47.560 --> 00:46:51.660
to make it easier for them
to get that information over
00:46:51.660 --> 00:46:53.450
to our Mapping Team.
00:46:53.450 --> 00:46:55.167
And that was all I had.
00:46:55.167 --> 00:46:58.800
Thanks Gina. And in
updating the database,
00:46:58.800 --> 00:47:01.320
I know what we've talked
about in previous meetings,
00:47:01.320 --> 00:47:03.720
is while it only has to
be done once a year,
00:47:03.720 --> 00:47:05.960
we'll have kind of an ongoing update,
00:47:05.960 --> 00:47:08.630
but at minimum, I think it
makes sense to update it
00:47:08.630 --> 00:47:11.150
before the winter, you
know, sometime in December,
00:47:11.150 --> 00:47:12.990
but then we've also
discussed is updating it
00:47:12.990 --> 00:47:14.160
right before hurricane season.
00:47:14.160 --> 00:47:17.250
So by June 1st as well,
because a lot of our focus
00:47:17.250 --> 00:47:19.970
has been on winter weather
events and things of that nature.
00:47:19.970 --> 00:47:23.120
But obviously hurricane
season in Texas is a big deal,
00:47:23.120 --> 00:47:25.780
and this, I think will be,
the map and everything
00:47:25.780 --> 00:47:27.630
that goes along with it
will be a really useful tool
00:47:27.630 --> 00:47:30.060
to the folks down at the
State Operations Center,
00:47:30.060 --> 00:47:32.430
going into hurricane season as well.
00:47:32.430 --> 00:47:33.920
Excellent.
00:47:33.920 --> 00:47:38.513
And I'll ask what Thomas
asked other presenters earlier,
00:47:38.513 --> 00:47:41.720
is there anything you need
from us, or anything we can do,
00:47:41.720 --> 00:47:43.810
in terms of data or technology?
00:47:43.810 --> 00:47:46.000
Technology, right
now, the database team
00:47:46.000 --> 00:47:47.590
is more of a supportive role.
00:47:47.590 --> 00:47:50.890
We are here to support any
of the needs of other teams
00:47:50.890 --> 00:47:52.900
as far as technology.
00:47:52.900 --> 00:47:53.733
As soon as
00:47:56.600 --> 00:47:59.150
there are ways to share
information from Railroad,
00:47:59.150 --> 00:48:04.150
once they get their critical
gas providers information
00:48:05.080 --> 00:48:07.370
uploaded onto your database.
One Drive.
00:48:07.370 --> 00:48:09.930
Once that goes into your database,
00:48:09.930 --> 00:48:12.750
we'll have to figure out how
the PUC can use that data,
00:48:12.750 --> 00:48:15.220
once we get access to it,
and how we'll get access to it,
00:48:15.220 --> 00:48:16.820
whether it be through reporting.
00:48:18.441 --> 00:48:19.610
And so that'll be in the future,
00:48:19.610 --> 00:48:23.050
how we can use that
information to benefit the PUC
00:48:23.050 --> 00:48:25.026
and how we can use that.
00:48:25.026 --> 00:48:26.880
Okay.
00:48:26.880 --> 00:48:27.713
Thanks Gina.
00:48:27.713 --> 00:48:28.546
Thank you.
Thank you.
00:48:28.546 --> 00:48:29.680
Appreciate it.
00:48:29.680 --> 00:48:33.790
So that concludes the project
team update portion of this.
00:48:33.790 --> 00:48:37.760
The next item on the agenda
is really setting out goals
00:48:37.760 --> 00:48:40.303
for Q1 of 2022.
00:48:41.210 --> 00:48:45.510
Wei, I just kind of listed,
shorthand three goals
00:48:45.510 --> 00:48:46.343
that I have.
00:48:46.343 --> 00:48:48.810
I think the first and
foremost is making sure
00:48:48.810 --> 00:48:52.230
we meet the mark on
getting a first run map out,
00:48:52.230 --> 00:48:53.063
sometime in April.
00:48:53.063 --> 00:48:56.200
I think that's critically
important to the success of this.
00:48:56.200 --> 00:49:00.270
Second, is looking at
potentially other state agencies
00:49:00.270 --> 00:49:04.340
or local officials that
may need to get involved.
00:49:04.340 --> 00:49:06.830
We heard a lot from
companies, I think both
00:49:06.830 --> 00:49:10.180
on the electric side and the gas side
00:49:10.180 --> 00:49:12.300
that roads were a big issue during Uri.
00:49:12.300 --> 00:49:14.710
So, I think it would be
helpful to get TXDOT,
00:49:14.710 --> 00:49:16.690
and maybe some of
the folks that are involved
00:49:16.690 --> 00:49:18.710
in county roads, like we have discussed,
00:49:18.710 --> 00:49:22.770
involved at this committee,
so that we can close the loop
00:49:22.770 --> 00:49:24.120
and address issues of,
00:49:24.120 --> 00:49:27.180
impassable roads during
a winter weather events.
00:49:27.180 --> 00:49:29.650
And so we have more
complete information.
00:49:29.650 --> 00:49:31.270
And then finally, it's kind of a pivot
00:49:31.270 --> 00:49:33.120
on the communication side.
00:49:33.120 --> 00:49:35.840
And like I said, Sean, a
lot of the focus has been
00:49:35.840 --> 00:49:39.093
on communications within
the State Operation Center
00:49:39.093 --> 00:49:41.890
and agency to agency,
industry to industry.
00:49:41.890 --> 00:49:46.320
But I think one of the themes
we heard during session,
00:49:46.320 --> 00:49:50.020
and PUC and ERCOT heard,
was that one of the major failings
00:49:50.020 --> 00:49:51.840
during the event was
external communications
00:49:51.840 --> 00:49:53.730
to the legislature, to the public.
00:49:53.730 --> 00:49:58.600
And so I think in Q1, we're
really gonna need to focus on,
00:49:58.600 --> 00:50:00.530
along with the outage alert system,
00:50:00.530 --> 00:50:03.850
how we communicate with the
public and elected leadership,
00:50:03.850 --> 00:50:06.400
both Statewide and local officials,
00:50:06.400 --> 00:50:08.580
to make sure that everyone
is getting all the information
00:50:08.580 --> 00:50:11.300
they need to do what their jobs are.
00:50:11.300 --> 00:50:13.974
I think that's a good
idea for us to come up with
00:50:13.974 --> 00:50:17.210
a comprehensive communication plan,
00:50:17.210 --> 00:50:20.770
not just among the agency,
but also external audience,
00:50:20.770 --> 00:50:23.460
whether it's stakeholders
and the general public.
00:50:23.460 --> 00:50:26.960
And I think that's a major
step we can take in Q1.
00:50:26.960 --> 00:50:29.920
And also, I agree with
you on the involvement
00:50:29.920 --> 00:50:31.260
with other agency.
00:50:31.260 --> 00:50:33.560
You know, I had some
conversation with TXDOT
00:50:33.560 --> 00:50:34.816
about road conditions already,
00:50:34.816 --> 00:50:39.816
and we have sent out a
request for information or survey
00:50:43.591 --> 00:50:46.230
to the natural gas industry
and asked them for information
00:50:46.230 --> 00:50:48.970
where they experienced problem before.
00:50:48.970 --> 00:50:52.690
And I think we, the agency, the RC,
00:50:52.690 --> 00:50:57.390
provided a version of the
layer to TXDOT sometime ago,
00:50:57.390 --> 00:50:58.390
four or five years ago.
00:50:58.390 --> 00:51:00.170
I think that could be updated,
00:51:00.170 --> 00:51:02.570
and then completely agree with you.
00:51:02.570 --> 00:51:03.722
I think that road condition,
00:51:03.722 --> 00:51:05.910
if we can take proactive measure,
00:51:05.910 --> 00:51:08.853
and making sure not just
at state level, but locally,
00:51:09.820 --> 00:51:12.360
so that if, we need to get to a facility
00:51:12.360 --> 00:51:14.400
the road condition is pretreated,
00:51:14.400 --> 00:51:16.320
and then people can
drive on the road safely.
00:51:16.320 --> 00:51:18.560
Not just for natural gas or electricity,
00:51:18.560 --> 00:51:20.560
it's for everybody driving on the roads.
00:51:21.750 --> 00:51:22.583
Perfect.
00:51:24.080 --> 00:51:28.193
So, as far as future meetings,
which is next on the agenda,
00:51:29.660 --> 00:51:31.850
not so much on dates, but I think,
00:51:31.850 --> 00:51:33.740
even though it's not required by law,
00:51:33.740 --> 00:51:36.600
doing kind of a public meeting,
00:51:36.600 --> 00:51:38.410
particularly when there are big events
00:51:38.410 --> 00:51:39.370
that happen on this committee,
00:51:39.370 --> 00:51:42.053
is probably a good thing
so that everyone involved,
00:51:42.053 --> 00:51:47.040
knows, we shed some light on
all the work that's being done.
00:51:47.040 --> 00:51:51.040
So I think what I would request of you,
00:51:51.040 --> 00:51:52.100
and any other members of the committee,
00:51:52.100 --> 00:51:54.350
is that at our next meeting in February,
00:51:54.350 --> 00:51:56.810
we discuss the proper time,
00:51:56.810 --> 00:51:59.240
potentially maybe
after our first map is out,
00:51:59.240 --> 00:52:01.270
to have another one of these publicly
00:52:01.270 --> 00:52:03.800
so that we can give everyone
an idea of what's gone on.
00:52:03.800 --> 00:52:04.760
Yup.
00:52:04.760 --> 00:52:05.593
Great.
Perfect.
00:52:05.593 --> 00:52:06.426
Sounds good.
00:52:06.426 --> 00:52:07.259
All right.
00:52:07.259 --> 00:52:08.854
Well, just in closing,
I would say thank you
00:52:08.854 --> 00:52:13.854
to the staffs of all the
agencies that have participated,
00:52:14.889 --> 00:52:18.270
a lot of work has been
done since Senate Bill 3,
00:52:18.270 --> 00:52:20.700
was passed and signed
that created this committee.
00:52:20.700 --> 00:52:23.240
Thank you, to you, for your
leadership on this committee.
00:52:23.240 --> 00:52:25.738
I think we have a tremendous
working relationship
00:52:25.738 --> 00:52:28.900
at the staff level,
and it's one that I think
00:52:28.900 --> 00:52:31.618
is necessary and really
critical to the success
00:52:31.618 --> 00:52:35.010
of the gas and electric coordination.
00:52:35.010 --> 00:52:38.220
And then to the market
participants, oil and gas,
00:52:38.220 --> 00:52:41.100
electricity, TDU's
generators, for all of the help
00:52:41.100 --> 00:52:43.960
you've provided to us in
getting all the information
00:52:43.960 --> 00:52:46.710
that we need to be able
to complete our mandate.
00:52:46.710 --> 00:52:50.530
So with that, we will
conclude our public meeting.
00:52:50.530 --> 00:52:51.660
And thanks everybody.
00:52:51.660 --> 00:52:52.792
This meeting is adjourned.
00:52:52.792 --> 00:52:54.142
(gavel bangs)
Thank you.