Critical Load Program

Public Safety & Industrial Customer Critical-Load Application Information

Public Safety and Industrial Critical Load applications must be completed online to obtain designation of critical load status with SMTX Utilities. Applications are accepted year-round and only need to be submitted once annually. Designation of critical load status does not relieve a member of the obligation to pay for electric service, and service may be disconnected for failure to pay. The application will not be processed and approved if incomplete or improperly submitted. All information is required unless otherwise indicated. Submission of this application does not automatically result in critical load status. Notification of the status granted will be provided to the member at the mailing and email address provided. Disconnection of service may occur for failure to pay outstanding utility bills. Designation of critical load status does not exempt locations registered in the program from planned service interruptions, nor are registered members exempt from their financial responsibilities or the termination of service in accordance with SMTX Utilities policies. Critical load status can not guarantee an uninterrupted, regular, or continuous power supply. If electricity is a necessity, you must make other arrangements for on-site backup capabilities or other alternatives in the event of loss in electric service. 

Public Safety and Industrial Customer Critical-Load Application

  2. Nonresidential customers that fall into public safety and industrial categories may apply for Critical Load status. 

    What is public safety and industrial Critical Load? 

    • Public safety: a customer for whom electric service is critical to maintain public safety; including but not limited to hospitals, emergency rooms, police stations, fire stations, and critical water and wastewater facilities.

    • Industrial: a customer for whom an interruption in electric service would create a dangerous condition or significant disruption on the customer’s premises.

  24. Does Customer/Facility Have Back-up Generation

  27. Critical Load status does not guarantee or ensure uninterrupted electric service or exclude customers from being included in ERCOT mandated rotating outages or planned service interruptions. Customers with Critical Load status are encouraged to have plans in place for on-site back-up generation in the event of power outages. 

    Designation of Critical Load status does not relieve a customer of the obligation to pay for electric service, and service may be disconnected for failure to pay. 

    Submission of this application does not automatically result in Critical Load status. Notification of the status granted will be provided to the customer at the mailing and email address provided. 

    For questions regarding Critical Load status, email SMTX Utilities at criticalload@sanmarcostx.gov.

    28. Leave This Blank:

  30. This field is not part of the form submission.

Residential Medical Application for Critical Care

This critical care application is for residential utility customers who have medically necessary equipment that requires consistent power supply access. Download and complete the Residential Medical Application for Critical Care. Completed forms must be signed by a physician and returned to San Marcos Utility Billing, 630 E. Hopkins St. building 3.

NOTICE: Qualifications pursuant to this form do not guarantee an uninterrupted power supply. If electricity is a necessity, patient/customer may need to make other arrangements. Reasonable effort will be made to extend the date for discontinuance of service to a delinquent residential customer if established that disconnect will result in a person residing at the customer's residence becoming seriously ill. Proper documentation must be provided and customer may enter into a deferred payment agreement. Failure to make timely payment and/or make payment arrangements will result in disconnection. If disconnected after failure to reach an agreement or meet the deferred payment agreement, reconnection will not be made until outstanding balance fees are paid in full.