HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2019-22 RESOLUTION NO. R2019-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD,
TEXAS, FINDING THAT CENTERPOINT ENERGY
HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC'S, REQUESTED INCREASE
TO ITS ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
RATES AND CHARGES WITHIN THE CITY SHOULD BE
DENIED; FINDING THAT THE CITY'S REASONABLE
RATE CASE EXPENSES SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE
COMPANY; FINDING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH
THIS RESOLUTION IS PASSED IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
AS REQUIRED BY LAW; REQUIRING NOTICE OF THIS
RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND LEGAL
COUNSEL.
* * * * * * * *
WHEREAS, on or about April 5, 2019, 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 May 10, 2019; 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, the City, in a reasonably noticed meeting that was open to the public,
considered the Company's application; 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.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the rates proposed by CenterPoint in an application submitted to the
City by CenterPoint on or about April 5,2019,are hereby found to be unreasonable,and are denied.
Section 2. That the Company shall continue to charge its existing rates for
transmission and distribution service to customers with the City.
Section 3. That GCCC's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by
CenterPoint within 30 days of presentation of an invoice to CenterPoint.
Section 4. That it is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which
this Resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law, and that the public notice was
given of the time,place, and purpose of said meeting, as required.
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.peterscenterpointenergy.com), and to Chris Brewster at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle &
Townsend, P.C., 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1900, Austin, Texas 78701
(cbrewster1g1awfirm.com).
R2019-22 2
PASSED AND APPROVED this 5th day of August,2019.
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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Melinda Welsh, TRMC
City Secretary ...*
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mary Ka ische
City Attorney
R2019-22 3