TITLE 16.ECONOMIC REGULATION

Part 2. PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Chapter 25. SUBSTANTIVE RULES APPLICABLE TO ELECTRIC SERVICE PROVIDERS

Subchapter O. UNBUNDLING AND MARKET POWER

3. CAPACITY AUCTION

16 TAC §25.381

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) proposes an amendment to §25.381, relating to Capacity Auctions. The proposed amendment will modify §25.381(h)(3)(B)(iii) and (vi) by requiring that two-year strips be auctioned for the 2004 through 2005 time period. The current rule language indicates that the commission will make an evaluation as to the need for the two-year strip. In addition, due to timing issues, the proposed amendment modifies §25.381(h)(1)(A)(i) to delay the September 2003, auction until October 2003, to allow the amendment to be finalized and take effect, and still allow for 60-day notice of the auction. Project Number 27826 is assigned to this proceeding.

Comments on the proposed amendment (16 copies) may be submitted to the Filing Clerk, Public Utility Commission of Texas, 1701 North Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, within 14 days after publication (comments due June 20, 2003). Comments should be organized in a manner consistent with the organization of the proposed rule. The commission invites specific comments regarding the costs associated with, and benefits that will be gained by, implementation of the proposed section. The commission will consider the costs and benefits in deciding whether to adopt the section. All comments should refer to Project Number 27826.

Matthew Troxle, Senior Retail Market Analyst, Electric Division, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the proposed section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Troxle has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be increased competitiveness in the wholesale market through increased availability of generation and increased liquidity. There will be no adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses as a result of enforcing this section. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Mr. Troxle has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed section is in effect there should be no effect on a local economy, and therefore no local employment impact statement is required under Administrative Procedure Act §2001.022.

This amendment is proposed under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2003) (PURA), which provides the Public Utility Commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction. The commission also proposes this amendment pursuant to PURA §39.153, which grants the commission authority to establish rules that define the scope of the capacity entitlements to be auctioned, and the procedures for the auctions.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §§14.002, 31.002, 39.153, 39.201, and 39.262.

§25.381.Capacity Auctions.

(a) - (g) (No change.)

(h) Auction process.

(1) Timing issues.

(A) Frequency of auctions.

(i) Auction dates. Capacity auctions shall begin on March 10, July 10, September 10, and November 10 of each year , except in 2003, when the September 10, auction will be held on October 7, 2003 . If the date for an auction start falls on a weekend or banking holiday, then that auction shall begin on the first business day after the weekend or banking holiday.

(ii) - (iii) (No change.)

(B) (No change.)

(2) (No change.)

(3) Term of auctioned capacity.

(A) (No change.)

(B) Schedule of subsequent auctions.

(i) - (ii) (No change.)

(iii) The auction in September of a year will auction:

(I) Approximately 30% of the entitlements as the one-year strips for the next year; [ and ]

(II) Approximately 20% of the entitlements as discrete months for each of the 12 calendar months of the next year ; and [ . ]

(III) In 2003, approximately 20% of the entitlements as two one-year strips, with the strips auctioned jointly (the 12 months of 2004 and 2005).

(iv) - (v) (No change.)

(vi) The commission will periodically evaluate the need to sell one-year and two-year strips and make appropriate adjustments to the terms of the auctions. [ In June of 2003, an evaluation will be made by the commission as to the need for another set of two-year strips (the 24 months of 2004 through 2005). If such term is deemed to be necessary, the next set of two-year strips will be auctioned in September of 2003. If such term is not deemed to be necessary, then subsequent auctions will auction 50% of entitlements over one-year strips and 50% of the entitlements as discrete months. ]

(C) (No change.)

(4) - (8) (No change.)

(i) - (m) (No change.)

[(n) This section, as adopted, becomes effective on August 1, 2002.]

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2003.

TRD-200303196

Rhonda G. Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 6, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


Part 4. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

Chapter 76. WATER WELL DRILLERS AND WATER WELL PUMP INSTALLERS

16 TAC §76.800

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ("Department") proposes amendments to §76.800, regarding fees for the Water Well Driller and Pump Installer program.

The proposed amendments modify the fees for examinations to reflect the actual cost of examinations to the Department. The proposed amendments also increase the annual licensure fees to cover the costs of administering the water well driller and pump installer programs, including the costs for licensure through the Texas Online Authority.

These rules are necessary to comply with §51.202(a) of the Texas Occupations Code, which requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to set fees, in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering the programs or activities under its jurisdiction, including licenses and examinations for the Water Well Driller and Pump Installer Program. In addition, the rules are necessary to comply with §32.002(i) of the Texas Water Code, which requires the Department to set fees imposed by Chapter 32 in amounts that are reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering Chapter 32. Finally, the rules are necessary to comply with §33.002(h) of the Texas Water Code, which requires the Department to set fees imposed by Chapter 33 in amounts that are reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering Chapter 33. The Department is engaged in examination development activities for the water well driller and pump installer program, and is also modifying the examination delivery mechanism so that examinations can be administered at multiple sites throughout Texas. The current examination and licensure fee level is inadequate to cover the cost of administering these activities.

William H. Kuntz, Jr., Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments are in effect there will be no cost to state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amended rule.

Mr. Kuntz also has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the amendments are in effect, the public benefit will be a water well driller and pump installer licensure and examination program that is funded at a level that enables the Department to efficiently license water well drillers and pump installers, along with protecting public health and safety. The probable economic cost of complying with the examination fee rule will be a decrease of $50 for those taking the water well driller examination, a decrease of $25 for those taking the monitor well driller examination, and depending upon the number of other examinations taken, an increase of $50 per other exam. The probable economic cost of complying with the licensing fee increase will be $15 for those complying with the rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Chris Kadas, General Counsel, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, or facsimile 512/475-2872, or electronically: chris.kadas@license.state.tx.us. The deadline for comments is 30 days after publication in the Texas Register .

The amendments are proposed under Texas Water Code, Chapters 32 and 33 and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51, §51.202(a), which requires the Department to set fees in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of administering Department programs and activities.

The statutory provisions affected by the proposal are those set forth in Texas Water Code, Chapters 32 and 33 and Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 51.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposal.

§76.800.Fees.

(a) Exam Fees.

(1) Water Well Driller [ and Installer application ] exam fee is $100. [ fees are $150 per exam. ]

(2) Monitor Well Driller exam fee is $100. [ Re-exam fee is $125 for each exam. ]

(3) General Pump Installer exam fee is $50.

(4) Windmills, Hand Pumps and Pump Jacks exam fee is $50.

(5) Pump Installer Fractional to 5 Horse Power exam fee is $50.

(6) Pump Installer 5 Horse Power and Over exam fee is $50.

(7) Closed Loop Geothermal Well Driller exam fee is $50.

(8) Line Shaft Turbine Pumps exam fee is $50.

(b) Annual License Fees.

(1) Driller's license is $215 [ $200 ].

(2) Installer's license is $215 [ $200 ].

(3) A combination Driller and Installer license is $325 [ $310 ].

(4) Apprentice registration is $65 [ $50 ].

(5) A combination Driller and Installer Apprentice registration is $115 [ $100 ].

(c) [ Annual ] License Renewal Fees.

(1) Driller's renewal license is $215 [ $200 ].

(2) Installer's renewal license is $215 [ $200 ].

(3) A combination Driller and Installer renewal license is $325 [ $310 ].

(4) Apprentice renewal registration is $65 [ $50 ].

(5) A combination Driller and Installer Apprentice renewal registration is $115 [ $100 ].

(d) Lost, revised, or duplicate license $25.

(e) Variance request fee is $100.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2003.

TRD-200303187

William H. Kuntz, Jr.

Executive Director

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 6, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-7348