CC Resolution No. 1997 - CenterPoint Charges Rate Schedule RESOLUTION NO.1997
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,TEXAS,RESPONDING TO
THE APPLICATION OF CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC,
LLC TO REVISE CERTAIN DISCRETIONARY CHARGES;SUSPENDING
THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR ANOTHER NINETY DAYS;AUTI IORIZING
THE SETTING OF INTERIM RATES:AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO
PARTICIPATE IN A COALITION OF CITIES KNOWN AS THE TEXAS
COAST UTILITIES COALITION("TCUC"):AUTHORIZING THE HIRING
OF COUNSEL AND EXPERTS THROUGH TCUC;REQUIRING THE
REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS:AUTHORIZING TFIE CITY'S
INTERVENTION AS PART OF TCUC AT THE PUBLIC UTILITY
COMMISSION OF TEXAS IN DOCKET NO.37105:MAKING SUCH OTHER
FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;AND
PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE THEREOF.
WHEREAS,on or about June 12,2009.CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric,LLC.
("CEHE"or"CenterPoint"),filed with the City of Baytown(the"City")an application to reduce
several service charges.like the charges for move-in.disconnection and reconnection;and
WHEREAS.simultaneously with the filing of the application with the City.to reduce
several discretionary service charges CenterPoint filed the identical application with the Public
Utility Commission of Texas("PUCT"or"Commission")which has been docketed as Docket
No.37105;and
WI IEREAS,the changes in the pricing of service charges came about as a result of an
order issued by the Commission in Docket No.35639 with regard to the implementation of
Advanced Meter Service("AMS");and
WHEREAS,CenterPoint has requested an implementation date("effective date")of
August 1,2009,for its changes in discretionary service charges;and
WHEREAS.it is quite likely that there will not be a final order at the Commission until
after the August 1,2009,effective date;and
WHEREAS.it is important for administrative efficiency purposes that the rates for
service charges be the same throughout CenterPoint's service territory:and
WHEREAS.the City has been participating as a member of the Texas Coast Utilities
Coalition("TCUC"),a coalition of similarly situated municipalities;and
WHEREAS,the City has benefitted from its participation in the coalition through the
sharing of costs and expertise;and
W'I IEREAS,in order to get the benefit of reduced discretionary service charges as soon
as possible.it is necessary to put the rates requested by CenterPoint in its application on
August 1.2009.into effect on an interim basis until a final order is issued by the Commission in
Docket No.37105;and
WHEREAS,given the complexity in calculating the service charges it is necessary to
participate with TCUC in order to hire special counsel and an expert for the purpose of assisting
the City in its role as a regulatory authority under the Public Utility Regulatory Act("PURA"):
and
WHEREAS,the application filed by CenterPoint with the City and at the Commission is
a request for a change in rates;and
WHEREAS.the City is entitled to have its reasonable rate case expenses reimbursed by
the electric utility in ratemaking proceedings of this sort:NOW THEREFORE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS:
Section 1:That the statements and findings set out in the preamble to this resolution
are hereby in all things approved and adopted.
Section 2:The City suspends the effective date of August 1.2009,for an additional
90 days pursuant to the authority granted the City under Section 36.108 of the Public Utility
Regulatory Act.The City finds that the effective date needs to be suspended in order to be able
to synchronize the rates or charges which are under consideration in Docket No.37105 before
the Public Utility Commission of Texas.The City,further finds.that the additional time is
needed in order to properly determine the reasonableness of such charges.
Section 3:The City sets as interim rates the rates set forth in the application and
tariffs filed with the City on or about June 12,2009.The interim rates shall go into effect on
August 1.2009,and remain in effect until the adoption of a final decision by the Council with
rates or charges which are different than the interim rates or charges adopted herein.If the
Council does not change the interim rates or charges by October 1,2009,then the interim rates
shall become the final rates.
Section 4:The City authorizes the law firm of Herrera&Boyle,PLLC,to file an
intervention in Docket No.37105 at the Commission on behalf of the City as a member of the
Texas Coast Utilities Coalition.
Section 5:The City is authorized to participate as a member of TCUC and to hire the
law firm of Herrera&Boyle,PLLC to represent its interests as a regulatory authority with regard
to CenterPoint's application and to retain such experts as are appropriate for such a proceeding.
Section 6:The City retains its right to withdraw from TCUC at any time without any
financial obligation to the remaining coalition members or to the experts or lawyers hired by the
coalition.
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Section 7:CenterPoint is ordered to pay the City's reasonable rate case expenses
incurred in response to CenterPoint's application in a timely manner.
Section 8:"Phis resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage by
the City Council of the City of Baytown.
INTRODUCED,READ and PASSED by the affirmative vote o e City Council of the
City of Baytown,this the 9th day of July,2009.
ST HEN H.DONCARLOS.Mayor
ATTEST:o+:..
PC
LETICIA GARZA,InteCa
i4 City Clerk;14'..-.-,
...:mod a
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ClIeNACIO RAMIREZ,SR.,C'ty ttorney
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