Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2025-11_suspension of CenterPoint gas utility ratesRESOLUTION 2025-11 A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, ("CITY") REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., TEXAS DIVISION, TO INCREASE RATES UNDER THE GAS RELIABILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM; SUSPENDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS RATE APPLICATION FOR FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN A COALITION OF CITIES NOW KNOWN AS THE "ALLIANCE OF CENTERPOINT MUNICIPALITIES-TCUC;" DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED COMPLIED WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT; MAKING SUCH OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS, on or about February 18, 2025, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., Texas Division ("CenterPoint") filed for an increase in gas utility rates under the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program ("GRIP"), and proposed increases in the monthly customer charges for all retail customer classes as shown below: Houston and Texas Coast Geoeraohic Rate Areas Proposed Percent Current 2025 Interim Increase in Rate Customer Rate Adjusted Increase Per Customer Schedule Charlie Adjustment Charge Bill Charge R-2099-1-GRIP 2025; $19.50 $2.88 $22.38 $2.88 R-2099-U-GRIP 2025 per customer per customer per customer per customer 14.77 % Residential per month per month Per month per month GSS-2099-1-GRIP 2025; $30.00 $5.14 $35.14 $5.14 GSSGener l SMIP 2025 General Service per customer per customer per customer per customer 17.13 % Small Per month per month per month per month GSLV-630-1-GRIP 2025; $390.00 $61.20 $451.20 $61.20 GSLV-630-U-GRIP 2025 General Service P er customer P er customer P er customer Per customer 15.69% e Volume I M month per month per month per month and WHEREAS, the City has a special responsibility to exercise due diligence with regard to rate increases of monopoly utilities who operate within its boundaries; and WHEREAS, the application to increase rates by CenterPoint is complex; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to suspend the effective date for the increase in rates for forty-five (45) days, so that the City can assure itself that the data and calculations in CenterPoint's rate application are correctly done; and WHEREAS, the effective date proposed by CenterPoint is April 19, 2025, but a suspension by the City will mean that the rate increase cannot go into effect prior to June 3, 2025. 1 of 2 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, THAT: Section 1. That the statements and findings set out in the preamble to this resolution we hereby in all things approved and adopted. Section 2. The City suspends the requested effective date by CenterPoint for forty-five (45) days pursuant to the authority granted the City under Section 104.301 of the Texas Utilities Code to allow the City to review the data and calculations that provide the basis for CenterPoint's proposed increase in rates. Section 3. The City shall continue to act jointly with other cities that are part of a coalition of cities now known as the Alliance of CenterPoint Municipalities ("ACM") — Texas Coast Utilities Coalition. Section 4. The City authorizes the law firm of Herrera Law & Associates, PLLC, to act on its behalf in connection with CenterPoint's application to increase rates. Section 5. To the extent allowed by law, CenterPoint is ordered to pay the City's reasonable rate case expenses incurred in response to CenterPoint's rate increase application within 30 days of receipt of invoices for such expenses to the extent allowed by law. Section 6. The meeting at which this resolution was approved was in all things conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 7. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage. PASSED AND APPROVED this 24" day of March 2025. CITY OF LAP RTE S Rick Helton, ayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: % - 4*-� Clark T. Askins, City Attorney 2of2