HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 25-001ORDINANCE NO. 25-001
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS,
AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER ENTERGY SERVICE
AREA CITIES IN MATTERS CONCERNING ENTERGY TEXAS, INC. AT
THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS IN 2025; AUTHORIZING
THE HIRING OF LAWYERS AND RATE EXPERTS; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY' S PARTICIPATION TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
AT THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS; FINDING THAT THE
MEETING COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; AND
DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, cities have exclusive original jurisdiction over rates, operations, and
services of an electric utility in areas in the municipality pursuant to Tex. Util. Code § 33.00;
and,
WHEREAS, cities have standing in each case before the Public Utility Commission of
Texas that relates to an electric utility providing service in the municipality pursuant to Tex. Util.
Code § 33.025; and,
WHEREAS, Entergy Texas, Inc. ("ETI" or "Company") is expected to file rate change
requests in various proceedings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("Commission")
or before municipalities in 2025, which may include (1) a base rate case, (2) rate proceedings or
cost adjustments such as a transmission cost recovery rider, a distribution cost recovery rider, a
generation cost recovery rider, energy efficiency cost recovery factor, or storm restoration cost or
offset true -ups, (3) and various fuel cost refunds or surcharges and reconciliations; and,
WHEREAS, cities have the ,statutory right to set fair and reasonable rates for both the
Company and customers within cities; and,
WHEREAS, cities are entitled to reimbursement by the utility of their reasonable rate
case expenses to participate in cases that are deemed rate proceedings pursuant to Tex. Util. Code
§ 33.023;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT, TEXAS:
Section 1.
The City of Beaumont shall participate with other cities to intervene in ETI's various rate
filings related to any base rate adjustment proceedings or cost of service adjustments, the various
fuel cost surcharges and reconciliations, and any other interim or incremental surcharge
proceedings or surcharge adjustments filed with the Commission or with municipalities in 2025.
Section 2.
The City of Beaumont employs the Lawton Law Firm P.C. to represent the City
regarding the ETI rate matters before local regulatory authorities and the Commission and
authorizes counsel to employ rate experts as are recommended by the Cities' Steering Committee
to intervene in rate- or fiiel-related proceedings at the Connnission concerning ETI's rates
charged to Texas customers.
Section 3.
All such actions shall be taken pursuant to the direction of the Cities' Steering
Committee. Cities' Steering Committee shall have authority to retain rate consultants and
lawyers. Cities' Steering Committee shall direct the actions of Cities' representatives in the
above proceedings. The Steering Committee is directed to obtain reimbursement from ETI of all
reasonable expenses associated with participation in said proccedings.
Section 4.
The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things conducted in strict
compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
2025.
Section 5.
This ordinance shall be effective from and after the date of its passage.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont tVs the 7th day of January,
Mayor Roy West -