EMERGENCY RULES 
 
 An agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an existing section on 
an emergency basis if it determines that such action is necessary for the public 
health, safety, or welfare of this state. The section may become effective 
immediately upon filing with the  Texas Register, or on a stated date less than 
20 days after filing and remaining in effect no more than 120 days. The 
emergency action is renewable once for no more than 60 additional days. 
  Symbology in amended emergency sections. New language added to an existing 
section is indicated by the use of  bold text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of 
existing material within a section. 
 
   
  TITLE 16. ECONOMIC REGULATION 
 Part I. Railroad Commission of Texas 
  Chapter 15. Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division 
  
  Propane Water Heater Rebate Program 
 
  16 TAC sec.15.120 
 
  The Railroad Commission of Texas adopts on an emergency basis an amendment to 
sec.15.120. The amendment shall be effective on October 31, 1994, for a period 
of 120 days. The commission finds that there exists an imminent peril to public 
welfare as a result of loss and destruction of equipment, businesses and 
residences caused by flooding in a 35-county area of southeast Texas designated 
as a disaster area by the President of the United States. Replacement propane 
water heaters needed by these business operators and residents are not within 
the purview of the current rule; therefore, the benefits provided by the 
commission's propane water heater rebate program are not available to persons 
whose propane water heaters have been lost or destroyed due to natural disaster. 
The commission finds that the public welfare will be impaired unless the rule is 
amended to expressly bring under the provisions of sec.15.120 propane water 
heaters that are installed as replacements for propane water heaters lost or 
destroyed due to natural disaster in this 35-county area. 
 The amendment is adopted on an emergency basis under the Texas Natural 
Resources Code, sec.113.2435(a) and sec.113.2435(b), which authorizes the 
commission to adopt rules establishing consumer rebate programs for purchasers 
of appliances and equipment fueled by LPG or other environmentally beneficial 
alternative fuels. Texas Natural Resources Code, sec.113.243(c)(6) authorizes 
the commission to use money in the Alternative Fuels Research and Education Fund 
to pay the direct and indirect cost of such programs. 
 
 
  sec.15.120. Eligibility. 
 
  (a) To be eligible for a rebate under this program, a consumer must document, 
using forms prescribed by the commission for the purpose, that: 
 
  (1) (No change.) 
   
  (2) the eligible installation for which application is made [either] replaced 
an existing electric water heater <nl>,<ol> [or] occurred in new 
construction<nl>, or replaced a propane-fueled water heater that was lost or 
destroyed due to a natural disaster in a federally designated disaster area<ol>; 
and 
   
  (3) (No change.) 
     
  (b)-(e) (No change.) 
 
  Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 31, 1994. 
 TRD-9450290 
  Mary Ross McDonald 
 Assistant Director, Legal Division, Gas Utilities/LP Gas 
 Railroad Commission 
    Effective date: October 31, 1994 
 Expiration date: February 28, 1995 
 For further information, please call: (512) 463-7008