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interconnectivity between pressure zones; (xiii) emergency water demand
rules; or (xiv) any other acceptable alternative determined by the TCEQ.
o Requires a utility to adopt and submit to the TCEQ for approval an
emergency preparedness plan. Directs each utility to submit its plan to
the TCEQ not later than March 1, 2022. Directs the TCEQ to approve or
disapprove plans within 90 days. Directs each utility to implement its
plan no later than July 1, 2022, or upon final TCEQ approval. Permits a
utility to request an extension of up to 90 days for submission or
implementation of the plan.
o Directs the TCEQ to inspect for compliance.
o Directs the TCEQ to consider whether compliance will cause a significant
financial burden when making recommended changes to the methods by
which an affected utility may achieve emergency operation.
o Requires emergency generators to be operated and maintained according
to the manufacturer’s specifications.
o Authorizes a utility to adopt and enforce limitations on water use while
the utility is providing emergency operations.
o Directs the TCEQ to adopt rules to implement these disaster preparedness
requirements as an alternative to any rule requiring elevated storage.
• Utilities that supply surface water must demonstrate the capability of each raw
water intake pump station, water treatment plant, pump station, and pressure
facility necessary to provide water to its wholesale customers.

Critical Load Coordination
• SB 3 extends statewide the requirements to coordinate critical load applicable to
utilities in Harris and Fort Bend counties. Below is a summary of such
provisions.
o Requires a utility to submit to the county judge, the county office of
emergency management, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and the
Governor’s emergency management office:
 its emergency preparedness plan;
 information identifying water and wastewater facilities that qualify
for critical load status under the rules of the Public Utility
Commission of Texas; and
 emergency contact information for the utility.
o Requires the county judge, not later than February 1 of each year, to
provide the submitted information for the water and wastewater facilities
and any forms reasonably required for determining critical load status to
the electric utilities and the retail electric providers.
o Requires the electric utilities and retail electric providers, not later than
May 1 of each year, to determine whether the water and wastewater
facilities qualify for critical load status.
o Requires the electric utilities and retail electric providers, within 30 days
of receiving the information from the county judge, to provide to the
county judge a detailed explanation of any determination that a utility’s
facilities do not qualify for critical load status.

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