HOUSTON – The Texas Public Utility Commission has yet again delayed a decision on CenterPoint Energy’s rates that we all pay on our electric bills.
The issue was the on the commission’s agenda Thursday.
KPRC 2′s Amy Davis recently reported that CenterPoint Energy wants to delay its rate review until next year at the end of June.
Just last week, Houston Mayor John Whitmire sent a letter to the PUC, asking for a reduction in electric rates charged by CenterPoint Energy, at least until the formal review -- especially since the company is under investigation for system reliability issues.
“A utility should not be allowed to continue to over-earn, especially when it is under investigation for failing to maintain the reliability of its system,” Whitmire stated in the letter.
On Thursday, commissioners voted to hear first from ratepayers when they come to Houston on Oct. 5 for a public workshop. The next opportunity for action would be at the PUC meeting scheduled for Oct. 24.
Leaders of more than 40 cities in CenterPoint’s area say their data shows CenterPoint is overcharging ratepayers by more than $100 million every year.
What’s the workshop about?
The PUC, which meets monthly in Austin, is holding this special workshop to discuss storm preparedness and CenterPoint’s role in handling outages. With Hurricane Beryl fresh in the minds of many Houston residents, this is your chance to share your thoughts directly with the commissioners who oversee rate adjustments and performance reviews of the utility company.
Why attend the October 5th workshop?
This workshop is more than just a discussion – it’s a platform for you to speak directly to the PUC, which has the authority to approve or deny CenterPoint’s proposed rate increases. Given the impact on your monthly utility bill, this is your chance to be heard.
The workshop will take place at the Harris County Department of Education Ronald Reagan Building (5th Floor).
Investigator Amy Davis has been following the case closely, digging into the latest developments to understand what this could mean for your electric bill.
Do you have a question for Amy? Email ADavis@kprc