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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 102825-5.D - Oncor Electric Rates Increase DenialRESOLUTION NO. 10z.825 - 5. Z) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, AUTHORIZING DENIAL OF ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC'S APPLICATION TO INCREASE RATES RELATED TO ONCOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT TO INCREASE RATES FILED ON OR ABOUT JUNE 26, 2025; REQUIRING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF MUNICIPAL RATE CASE EXPENSES; FINDING THAT THE MEETING COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT; REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish that the Council has previously: (1) suspended Oncor's proposed rate increase by 90 days; (2) authorized intervention in proceedings related to Oncor's proposed rate increase as a member of the coalition of cities known as the Alliance of Oncor Cities; (3) directed Oncor to reimburse AOC's rate case expenses; and (4) retained the law firm of Herrera Law & Associates, PLLC with respect to rate proceedings involving Oncor before the City, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and courts of law and to retain consultants to review Oncor's rate application subject to AOC's approval; and WHEREAS, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor" or "Company") filed a Statement of Intent with the City on or about June 26, 2025, to increase its revenues; and WHEREAS, Oncor's proposed increase in rates would result in an increase of approximately $833.6 million in its annual revenue, which equates to an overall increase in revenue of approximately 13.0%; and WHEREAS, the City is a regulatory authority under the Public Utility Regulatory Act ("PURA") and under Chapter 33, §33.001 et seq. of PURA has exclusive original jurisdiction over Oncor's rates, operations, and services within the municipality; and WHEREAS, in order to maximize the efficient use of resources and expertise in reviewing, analyzing and investigating Oncor's rate request and its changes in tariffs the City coordinated its efforts with a coalition of similarly situated municipalities known as the Alliance of Oncor Cities ("AOC") and other cities; and WHEREAS, Oncor failed to establish that its overall revenue request resulted in no more than an amount that will permit Oncor a reasonable opportunity to earn a reasonable return on the utility's invested capital used and useful in providing service to the public in excess of the utility's reasonable and necessary operating expenses; and WHEREAS, Oncor failed to establish that its proposed rates were just and reasonable; and Resolution Number: /0`0Z5- 5-V Page 1 of 3 Subject: O,Wciw Date Approved: WHEREAS, Oncor failed to establish that its proposed return on equity and its proposed overall rate of return is just and reasonable; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it to be in the best interest of the public to establish the denial, as set out herein. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS: Section 1. The meeting at which this resolution was approved was conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this resolution are hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. Section 3. The City hereby DENIES Oncor's request to increase rates and in support of DENIAL finds that Oncor failed to show that its proposed rates are just and reasonable in the following ways: Oncor failed in its burden of proof to establish that its requested increase in revenue or the changes set forth in its tariffs attached to Oncor's Statement of Intent to increase rates, results in just and reasonable rates; Oncor failed in its burden of proof to establish that adoption of its proposed rate base, expenses, investment, return on equity, rate of return, and other rate issues as presented in Oncor's Statement of Intent to increase rates, result in just and reasonable rates. The City authorizes its continued intervention and full participation, including settlement negotiations, in proceedings related to Oncor's Statement of Intent before the Public Utility Commission of Texas and related proceedings in courts of law and participation in the coalition of cities known as the Alliance of Oncor Cities. The City hereby orders Oncor to reimburse the City's rate case expenses as provided in the Public Utility Regulatory Act and that Oncor shall continue to do so on a monthly basis and within 30 days after submission of the AOC's invoices for the AOC's reasonable costs associated with the City's activities related to this rate review or to related proceedings involving Oncor before the City, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, or any court of law. The City, in coordination with the AOC, delegates to the City Manager and/or the City Attorney, or designee of such office, review of the invoices of the lawyers and rate experts for reasonableness before submitting the invoices to Oncor for reimbursement. A copy of this resolution shall be sent to Mr. Matt Henry, Vice President, General Counsel, Oncor, 1616 Woodall Rodgers Expressway, Dallas, Texas, 75202; Mr. Robert Schmidt, Regulatory Manager, Oncor/Regulatory Financial, 1616 Woodall Rodgers Expressway, Dallas, Resolution Number: JQ Z8ZG -5'b Page 2 of 3 Subject: Date Approved: l% l37 Texas, 75202; and to Mr. Alfred R. Herrera, Herrera Law & Associates, PLLC, 4400 Medical Pkwy, Austin, Texas 78756. Section 4. All resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are hereby repealed, and all other resolutions of the City not in conflict with the provisions of this resolution shall remain in full force and effect. Section 5. If any provision of this resolution, or application thereof, to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of this resolution, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared to be severable. Section 6. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this resolution and the City Secretary to attest. This resolution shall become effective and be in full force and effect immediately in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter of the City of Georgetown. PASSED AND APPROVED on the 2,8 ofOP�Ll' , 2025. ATTEST: 1tiur2De � rRubvn-Dmilsmore, City Secretary�u,� y APPROVED AS TO FORM: �j& kyeNUS-Son, City Attorney Resolution Number: tote (� Z5 _� Page 3 of 3 Subject: Date Approved: