HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R2024-18 RESOLUTION NO. R2024-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, DENYING CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON
ELECTRIC, LLC'S REQUESTED INCREASE TO ITS ELECTRIC
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION RATES AND CHARGES WITHIN
THE CITY; FINDING THAT THE CITY'S REASONABLE RATE CASE
EXPENSES SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE COMPANY; REQUIRING
NOTICE OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND LEGAL
COUNSEL FOR THE GULF COAST COALITION OF CITIES; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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WHEREAS, on or about March 6, 2024, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC
("CenterPoint" or "Company"), pursuant to PURA §§ 33.001 and 36.001, filed with the City of
Friendswood, Texas ("City") a Statement of Intent to change electric delivery rates in all
municipalities exercising original jurisdiction within its service area, effective April 10,2024; and
WHEREAS, the City is an electric utility customer of CenterPoint and a regulatory
authority with exclusive original jurisdiction over the rates and charges of CenterPoint within the
City; and
WHEREAS, the City is a member of the Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities ("GCCC"), a
membership of similarly situated cities served by CenterPoint that have joined together to
efficiently and cost-effectively review and respond to electric issues affecting rates charged in
CenterPoint's service area; and
WHEREAS, GCCC is an intervenor in the parallel proceeding at the Public Utility
Commission of Texas to review CenterPoint's filing; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its exclusive original jurisdiction over CenterPoint's rates and
operations within city limits, the City previously suspended the effective date of the Company's
requested rate increase; and
WHEREAS,PURA § 33.023 provides that costs incurred by cities in ratemaking activities
are to be reimbursed by the regulated utility; and
WHEREAS, the City's attorneys and consultants recommend that the City deny the
application; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
STATE OF TEXAS:
Section 1. The facts and matters set forth in the preamble of this resolution are hereby
found to be true and correct.
Section 2. That the rates proposed by CenterPoint in an application submitted to the
City by CenterPoint on or about March 6, 2024, are hereby found to be unreasonable, and are
denied.
Section 3. That the Company shall continue to charge its existing rates for
transmission and distribution service to customers with the City.
Section 4. That GCCC's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by
CenterPoint within 30 days of presentation of an invoice to CenterPoint.
Section 5. A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to CenterPoint,care of Patrick Peters,
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 1005 Congress Avenue, Suite 650, Austin, Texas 78701
(patrick.peters@centerpointenergy.com), and to Roslyn Dubberstein at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle
& Townsend, P.C., 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1900, Austin, Texas 78701
(rubberstein@lglawfirm.com).
Section 6. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage and
approval.
INTRODUCED, READ AND PASSED by the affirmative vote of the City Council of the
City of Friendswood on this the 3`d day of June, 2024.
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APPROVED AS TO FORM: 1TE'OF"( ..E.
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KAREN L. HORNER, City Attorney
H:\City Council\Resolutions\2024\06-03-2024\Resolution-2024 CEHE Rate Case Denial.docx
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