Today is the deadline for CenterPoint to respond to allegations that it has overcharged customers for years. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis has been following the developments on this case.
By law CenterPoint Energy must go before the Public Utility Commission for a full rate review every four years. Its last review was in 2019.
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But since that time CenterPoint has raised rates in small amounts more than 25 times.
The scheduled four-year review allows the commission and ratepayers to do a deep dive on how much CenterPoint is charging us and if they actually need all that money.
Attorney Thomas Brocato represents the Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities. These are 42 cities in greater Houston like Sugar Land, Missouri City and Dickinson.
No route for customers to get refunds
Brocato says there is no mechanism for customers to get refunds for money we are overpaying CenterPoint. It’s why they have also asked the PUC to set a lower interim rate now.
“Let CenterPoint go and focus on, again, improving resiliency, keeping the lights on, restoring public trust but at the same time, let rates be lowered to an appropriate level so that customers get the full benefit once they come back and finalize the case,” said Brocato.
An administrative judge gave CenterPoint until August 14th to respond to this filing. CenterPoint told KPRC 2 News it will provide more information on that day. We will let you know what happens.