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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 3069 Denying CenterPoint Rate Increase Request and Revised Rate SchedulesCity of West University Place Harris County, Texas Ordinance No. 3069 AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE RETAIL ELECTRIC RATES OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC WITHIN THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS; DENYING RATE INCREASE REQUEST AND REVISED RATE SCHEDULES AND 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, riders, 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, the expert utility rate consultants retained to review CenterPoint's New Rates on behalf of the Coalition are still reviewing CenterPoint's Application and New Rates; and WHEREAS, City Council determines that CenterPoint's rates in effect as of January 26, 2024, ("Current Rates") are the just and reasonable rates to be observed and to remain in force within the City; and WHEREAS, City Council anticipates that a denial of the New Rates will be appealed to the PUC; and WHEREAS, denial of the New Rates would maintain the Current Rates in effect for customers within West University Place, Texas until further changed under the Utilities Code; and City of West University Place Harris County, Texas WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the public interest will be served by the adoption of an ordinance denying the New Rates; NOW, THEREFORE, 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. That CenterPoint's Application for New Rates on file with the City is denied in total. Section 3. That the rates currently in effect as of January 26, 2024, for CenterPoint customers receiving service within the City of West University Place, Texas shall remain in effect until further changed under applicable law. Section 4. That If any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or the application of same to any person or set of circumstances is for any reason held to be invalid, the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance or their application to other persons or sets of circumstances shall not be affected thereby, it being the intent of the City Council in adopting this ordinance that no portion hereof or provision or regulation contained herein shall become inoperative or fail by reason of any unconstitutionality, voidness or invalidity of any other portion hereof, and all provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable for that purpose. Section 5. That 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 for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by the Open Meetings Law, City of West University Place Harris County, Texas 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. PASSED AND APPROVED this J�day of , 2024 WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE Major Susan V. a le City ecretary Thelma A Gilliam IT��I�T'ii�',1�►i�I�� :���11�'►'1��� 1 '4 - 1 �Xj� - Dave each, City Manager Olso -TV s LP, City Attorney