AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce is meeting to get quarterly updates from four key state agencies and hear public testimony.
Members on Tuesday expect testimony from new Texas Insurance Commissioner Julia Rathgeber, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in May.
Also scheduled to testify are commissioners from the Texas Public Utility Commission and Trip Doggett, president of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
Likely appearing too is Sherry Cook, administrator of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Lawmakers may discuss the Public Utility Commission’s considering of changes to the wholesale electricity market.
The possible changes are brought on by escalating risks that include significantly higher caps on prices.
They would nearly double the price a generator can charge per megawatt-hour during peak demand periods.