0 - Project No. 56040 - Open Meeting Agenda items without an associated control number
The meeting order was adjusted to first discuss an update from CenterPoint on restoration efforts, then go to Closed Session for housekeeping matters.
The Chairman commended CenterPoint and its partners for their remarkable response and restoration efforts following an unforeseen event.
Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President at CenterPoint Energy, provided an update on Houston area restoration efforts following the recent event.
The storm brought sustained winds of about 110 miles per hour, equivalent to a strong Category 2 hurricane, and resulted in extensive damage in the Houston area.
Emergency operations were initiated immediately, with about 700 damage assessors and 5,000 mutual assistance crews deployed to assess and restore power.
Efforts have led to the restoration of 140 miles of impacted transmission lines and replacement of about 2,000 distribution poles.
Staging sites were set up to accommodate the influx of assistance crews, and emergency generation was used to power critical facilities and schools in the area.
Communication efforts included providing restoration estimates to customers and encouraging sign-ups for power alert services.
Approximately 5,000 mutual assistance crews from various companies assisted in the restoration efforts, displaying a notable commitment to community support.
Despite the progress, there are about 6,000 circuit outages, 20,000 fuse outages, and 5,000 transformer outages still to be addressed.
The company is committed to ongoing support for the community, delivering supplies and providing funding grants to aid those most affected.
Restoring the community extends beyond infrastructure, and the company remains dedicated to seeing the mission through until all customers have power.
Chairman Gleeson and Commissioners commend the effort of all involved in the restoration efforts in the Houston area by CenterPoint.
0.1 - Shelah Cisneros with Commission Counsel lays out Consent Agenda
Items placed on the consent agenda: 1, 3-9, 11-13, 15-19
Commissioners voted to place items 21, 23, and 39 on the consent agenda
Motion is made and seconded, motion prevails
2 - Docket No. 53485 – Application of Gideon Water LLC for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity in Montgomery County. (Appeal of Order No. 21) Abbey Jones
Notice of approval issued by the Commission on July 31, 2023
Numerous filings from Commission Staff and orders from the Administrative Law Judge between October 2023 and April
Joint appeal of Order No. 21 filed by Commission Staff and Gideon Water
Order No. 21 denied party's motion for reconsideration Order No. 20
Order No. 20 denied party's motion for an order nunc pro tunc and motion to reopen the record
Chairman Gleeson filed a memo regarding the appeal of Order 21
Chairman Gleeson denies the appeal and states that the phrase "nunc pro tunc" (a ruling nunc pro tunc applies retroactively to correct an earlier ruling) does not apply in this case
Commissioner Cobos and Jackson are in agreement with denying the appeal.
He emphasizes the importance of reviewing tariffs, especially for the applicant, to avoid similar situations in the future
Parties to review the tariff before it goes for approval in front of the Commission or the ALJ
A motion made to deny the appeal of Order No. 21, was seconded and approved.
10 - Docket No. 52728; SOAH Docket No. 473-22-2464 – Application of the City of College Station to Change Rates for Wholesale Transmission Service. (Order on Rehearing) Grace Lager
The Commission filed an order on April 11th,
College Station then filed a request for clarification and expedited ruling, and filed a motion for rehearing.
The Commission added the docket to the meeting agenda to consider the merits of the motion for rehearing, and
Commissioner Cobos presented her memo, proposing a limited rehearing to make changes to the approved order.
The changes are aimed at clarifications for accuracy and completeness.
The City of College Station filed a request for clarification expedited ruling on April 23rd, which was outside the motion for rehearing.
In order to allow parties to respond to motions for rehearing, no action would be taken on the separate filing at this time.
Commissioner Cobos plans to move forward in making changes to the order and having the Commission issue an order on rehearing.
Motion made to grant rehearing for the limited purpose of making proposed changes in the docket order
Motion passes unanimously
14 - Docket No. 55728; SOAH Docket No. 473-24-04701 – Application of the City of San Antonio, acting by and through the City Public Service Board (CPS Energy), to Amend Its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Proposed SAT15 138-kV Transmission Line Project in Bexar County. (Final Order) Abbey Jones
The proposed order addresses the unanimous agreement between the parties to route the transmission line along Route S.
The Commission considered the proposed order at the April 11th meeting and remanded the proceeding to docket management to allow parties to file additional testimony in support of Route S.
CPS Energy and Commission Staff filed supplemental evidence that was admitted into the record.
Chairman Gleeson reiterated his support for unanimous agreements, but wanted to address some issues with the current one.
There was a discussion about the favored Route H and its settlement on Route S, with Route H being slightly more expensive but with fewer habitable structures.
Commissioner Cobos suggests remanding the case back to SOAH for additional processing if the Commission does not approve the agreement
Chair Gleeson entertains a motion to remand the docket to SOAH for further processing and, if necessary, a hearing on the merits, which prevailed.
19 - Docket No. 56548 – Application of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC for Approval of Its Transmission and Distribution System Resiliency Plan. (Preliminary Order) Alex Scheifler
Cyrus Reed from the Sierra Club highlighted the importance of public comments on Project 56517, related to energy efficiency and residential demand response, and the implementation of SB1699.
Cyrus emphasized the need for timely comments on the project and subsequent rulemaking processes, as utilities have already filed their energy efficiency plans for '24 and '25, with decisions on funding expected later in the year.
Cyrus urged for prompt action on rulemaking to improve energy efficiency programs, not only for utilities but also for REPs, munis, and co-ops, in order to influence outcomes for 2026.
28 - Project No. 55000 – Performance Credit Mechanism (PCM). (Discussion and possible action) Werner Roth and Chris Brown
Staff filed a memo describing current opinions on design parameters for the PCM
Parameters grouped into three categories: Legislative mandate, Commission decision, and open items
Open items divided into two subcategories: Parameters which staff believes they can lock in a particular value for, and parameters requiring further consideration
Memo includes a list of questions for comment on the parameters
Interested parties have until June 20th to provide feedback on the questions
Staff seeks Commission's support for items that can be locked in addition to Legislative mandate or prior Commission decisions
Attachment referred to in the memo will be included with the questions for stakeholder comments
Chairman Gleeson approves of how the parameters have been set according to statute or Commission decision.
Chairman Gleeson asks commenters to adhere to the 15-page limit.
Chairman Gleeson is content with the content of staff's memo.
Commissioner Cobos and Jackson in agreement, and emphasize importance of stakeholder feedback
43 - Discussion and possible action regarding agency review by Sunset Advisory Commission, operating budget, strategic plan, appropriations request, project assignments, correspondence, staff reports, agency administrative issues, agency organization, fiscal matters and personnel policy.
Barksdale English has been named the Deputy Executive Director
Reminder that the window to submit a notice of intent to apply for a Texas Energy Fund Loan closes on May 31st.
Currently, 10 completed applications and numerous others in progress.
Full applications will be accepted beginning June 1st.
Encouragement to complete NOIs and address any questions to Connie Corona.
