A CenterPoint rate decrease could be coming after a ruling from a judge.
A judge denied CenterPoint’s request to dismiss its rate review late Friday.
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CenterPoint must now appeal or resume negotiations with cities that believe the utility is overcharging ratepayers. They are calling for Centerpoint to decrease its rates.
Investigator Amy Davis has been following the latest developments in this case and working to find out what it could mean for your bills.
CenterPoint Energy asked a judge to dismiss its mandatory rate review that was already pending before Hurricane Beryl.
State law requires a rate review by the Public Utility Commission of Texas every four years, and CenterPoint’s last review was back in 2019.
In a filing last week, CenterPoint asked for the review to be revisited at the end of June 2025.
Dozens of cities in CenterPoint’s area -- including Houston -- reached out, asking the same judge not to grant the company’s exemption from the review. The cities claim that the company is overcharging its customers by more than $100 million every year. They want the judge to have the hearing so they can present evidence and argue for a rate decrease.
Consumer advocates say this extension means that customers could have higher rates until 2025, and refunds aren’t an option after the customer has paid.
The Public Utility Commission filing says:
“CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC filed a Notice of Withdrawal of its application in this case. For the reasons discussed below, the withdrawal is denied.
Withdrawing CenterPoint’s application conflicts with the requirement for investor-owned electric utilities in the ERCOT region to file a
comprehensive rate review within 48 months of the order in the utility’s most recent comprehensive rate proceeding.”
What will this mean for your electric bill?
Tired of your rising electric bill even when you’re doing everything you can to use less energy? CenterPoint Energy’s rates make up a big chunk of your monthly bill and now they may be cutting their rates.
On KPRC 2 News at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Investigative Reporter Amy Davis is explaining then when, why and how much we could all save.