HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 3065 Relating to Retail Electric Rates of CenterPoint EnergyCity of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
Ordinance No. 3065
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE RETAIL ELECTRIC RATES OF
CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC WITHIN THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS; SUSPENDING FOR NINETY DAYS THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF NEW RATES; MAINTAINING CURRENT RATES IN EFFECT; CONTAINING
FINDINGS AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE FOREGOING SUBJECT;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
WHEREAS, on or about January 26, 2024, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric,
LLC ("CenterPoint") submitted a Statement of Intent and Application for Authority to
Change Rates ("Application") within the City of West University Place, Texas ("City"),
requesting a rate increase and tariff changes (collectively "New Rates"); and
WHEREAS, the City, as a local regulatory authority, exercises original jurisdiction
over the rates, operations and services of CenterPoint for customers located within the
City under Section 33.001 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act ("PURA") in the Texas
Utilities Code; and
WHEREAS, the City is a member of the Coalition of Cities ("Coalition") in this
CenterPoint electric base rate proceeding, as approved by resolution by City Council on
April 8, 2024.
WHEREAS, the New Rates would affect rates, operations or services for
CenterPoint retail customers within the City; and
WHEREAS, PURA Sections 36.102 and 36.108 provide that the New Rates take
effect on the 35th day after the local filing, unless the local regulatory authority suspends
the effective date of the New Rates within 35 days of filing; and
WHEREAS, PURA Section 36.108 further provides that a local regulatory authority
may suspend the operation of the Application for ninety days beyond the date the New
Rates would otherwise be effective (the "Suspension Period"); and
WHEREAS, PURA Section 36.109 provides that unless the local regulatory
authority establishes interim rates, the rates in effect at the time the Application is filed
remain in effect during the Suspension Period; and
WHEREAS, during the Suspension Period, the City through the Coalition's
consultants and outside counsel will review the Application, perform a coordinated
analysis of the New Rates, obtain additional information from CenterPoint, receive public
comments, and prepare a rate ordinance recommendation to City Council; and
City of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
WHEREAS, the expert utility rate consultants retained to review the Application on
behalf of the Coalition have not had sufficient time to determine whether CenterPoint has
justified its request for New Rates; and
WHEREAS, the Coalition's consultants and outside counsel recommend that the
City suspend CenterPoint's New Rates for ninety days beyond the proposed effective
date, April 10, 2024, or the date the New Rates would otherwise be effective, to allow for
coordinated rate analysis, consideration of the New Rates, and public comment; and
WHEREAS, the City has standing in each case before the Texas Public Utility
Commission ("PUC") that relates to an electric utility providing service within the City
pursuant to PURA Section 33.025;
NOW, THERERFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts contained in the preamble of this Ordinance are
determined to be true and correct and are hereby adopted as part of this Ordinance.
Section 2. To allow for coordinated rate analysis, consideration of other issues,
and public comment, the effective date of the New Rates filed with the City by CenterPoint
on or about March 6, 2024, is hereby suspended for ninety days beyond April 10, 2024,
or the date the Rate Increase would otherwise be effective.
Section 3. The rates in effect as of March 6, 2024, the Application filing date, shall
remain in effect until the earlier of the expiration of the Suspension Period or until changed
by the adoption of a replacement rate ordinance by this Council.
Section 4. The City may intervene and participate in all proceedings related to or
affecting CenterPoint's rates within the City at the PUC until the final resolution of the
New Rates.
Section S. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites and declares that
a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City
Council was posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City of West
2
City of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
University Place, Texas for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required
by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code; and that this meeting
has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this ordinance
and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon.
The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the
contents and posting thereof.
r
PASSED AND APPROVED thisday of , 2024
99
City Secretary Th
A. Gilliam
i
Vayor Susan V. San9ple
3