HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2023-03RESOLUTION NO. 2023-03
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING
PARTICIPATION IN COALITION OF CITIES PERTAINING TO PROCEEDINGS
CONCERNING CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC AT THE
PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS IN 2023; CONTAINING FINDINGS
AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE FOREGOING SUBJECT.
WHEREAS, on or about April 5, 2023, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric,
LLC ("CenterPoint") filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas
("Commission") an Application for Approval of a Distribution Cost Recovery Factor
("DCRF") under Docket No. 54825 and an Application to Amend its Temporary
Emergency Electric Energy Facilities Rider ("TEEEF") under Docket No. 54830;
and
WHEREAS, Section 36.210 of the Texas Utilities Code authorizes an
electric utility company to request periodic adjustment to its rate schedule between
full base rate cases due to changes in the utility's invested capital by including a
DCRF in its Commission approved rates; and
WHEREAS, Section 39.918 of the Texas Utilities Code authorizes an
electric utility company to request recovery of reasonable and necessary costs for
temporary emergency electric energy facilities; and
WHEREAS, CenterPoint is requesting to amend its 2022 DCRF to request
an $84.6 million increase to its revenue requirement for a total revenue requirement
of $162.6 to be recovered through ratepayers effective September 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, CenterPoint is also requesting to amend its 2022 TEEEF rider
to adjust to a new revenue requirement of $187,875,401 effective September 1,
2023; and
WHEREAS, any DCRF and TEEEF ordered by the Commission in the
proceedings could ultimately affect CenterPoint's rates for wholesale electric
transmission customers and for end -use retail electric customers in CenterPoint's
certificated service territory; and
WHEREAS, certain municipalities have indicated their desire to join with the
City of Houston, Texas in a coalition of cities interested in the conduct of the
proceedings and to authorize the coalition to intervene on behalf of the participating
municipalities therein; and
WHEREAS, the coalition of cities shall be led by the City of Houston, which
shall direct the selection of legal counsel and consultants on behalf of the coalition.
WHEREAS, interested parties must seek party status to comply with the
intervention deadline to be set in the proceedings; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the participation of the City of La
Porte ("City") in the coalition of cities will achieve coordinated efforts among
similarly situated affected municipalities in order to maximize the efficient use of
resources and expertise in reviewing, analyzing, and investigating CenterPoint's
DCRF and TEEEF application; and
WHEREAS, City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the
City that the City participates with the coalition of cities in the proceedings; NOW
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA
PORTE, TEXAS:
Section 1: That the statements and findings recited in the preamble to this
Resolution are found to be true and correct and are hereby adopted as part of this
Resolution.
Section 2. That the City is hereby authorized to join with other
municipalities as part of the coalition of cities and to participate to the fullest
extent permitted by law in proceedings affecting the rates, operations and
services of CenterPoint for customers within the City of La Porte, Texas and in
particular regarding the 2023 DCRF and 2023 TEEEF.
Section 3. That the City is hereby authorized to intervene in the proceedings
as a member of the coalition.
Section 4. That such outside counsel that the City of Houston may select,
shall represent the City in all of the proceedings and are hereby authorized to take
all legal and other actions necessary to forward the interests of the City in the
proceedings and all matters related to such proceedings, including without
limitation any hearings, conferences, negotiations and related proceedings.
Section S. That the meeting at which this Resolution was approved
complied with the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas
Government Code, Chapter 551.
Section 6. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its
passage and approval in the manner required by the City Charter and ordinances
PASSED AND APPROVED this 5, � day of a 2023.
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
li ✓ti
Clark Askins, Assistant City
Attorney