Latest news with #KarlaNieman
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City to host public hearing on El Paso Electric rate request
Editor's note: Video is from late April when the City decided to intervene a second time into El Paso Electric's rate increase requests. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso will hold a public hearing during its June 24 City Council meeting to discuss El Paso Electric's proposed rate increase. During this public hearing, El Paso Electric will be asked to provide a detailed presentation regarding the proposed rate changes. City 'intervening' in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan In February 2025, the City Council voted unanimously to 'intervene' and suspend the rate increase proposed by El Paso Electric (EPE) for its Texas retail customers. The requested $93 million rate increase consists of two components: an $85.7 million increase for general rates and an additional $7.3 million for a retiring plant rider, which EPE requested separately in the rate case. The 'retiring plant rider' is designed to allow the utility to recover costs associated with older power plants that are no longer in use or are being decommissioned, the City said. Under the proposed rate increase, the typical residential customer would see an average monthly residential increase of $22.39, representing a 23 percent increase to their monthly bill. Given 'the significant financial impact on residents,' the City Council voted to intervene and suspend the proposed rate increase for 90 days, the City said. 'Our priority remains that we ensure any proposed rate changes are fair, transparent, and justified,' City Attorney Karla Nieman said. 'This public hearing provides an important opportunity for residents to understand the impact of the proposed rate increase and for the City to advocate on their behalf.' City 'intervenes' for 2nd time in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan The City is also intervening in five additional El Paso Electric filings including the general rate. The five additional cases could potentially increase rates for Texas retail customers and include the following: EP Electric Fuel Reconciliation EP Electric Newman Buffer Certificate of Convenience and Necessity EP Electric Macho Springs Reallocation EP Electric Amended Generation Cost Recovery Rider (GCRR) for Texas Solar One (creates a new rate for solar users) EP Electric Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor The City says it has a 'strong track' record of advocating for fair utility rates, resulting in significant savings for local residents. Over the last six rate cases, the City's 'proactive interventions' have saved approximately $189 million for El Paso's ratepayers through negotiations and strategic actions, the City said. The El Paso City Council also requested that EPE host a series of community meetings to inform the public and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions about the general rate case and its potential impact. EPE hosted six community meetings in April, with the last meeting taking place on April 24. The City said it will continue to monitor both rate increase proposals. Final decisions are excpected by the end of the year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City ‘intervenes' for 2nd time in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The El Paso City Council has voted unanimously to intervene a second time this year in El Paso Electric's plans to raise rates, the City announced Monday, April 28 in a news release. This time, the City is intervening in an amendment made by El Paso Electric to recover the costs of its new Texas Solar One generation facility. City 'intervening' in El Paso Electric's rate increase plan As we previously reported, in February, the City intervened in EPE's proposed $93 million rate increase. If approved, the rate hike would result in an average monthly increase of $22.39 for residential customers, representing a 23 percent increase in their monthly electric bill, the City said. In this latest filing, EPE seeks approval to recover approximately $120.4 million invested in the Texas Solar One facility, a 150-megawatt solar generation project near Fabens, set to begin operations by late August. The City said that if approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), this new amendment will result in an annual increase of $13.4 million for Texas retail ratepayers, with residential customers seeing an average monthly increase of $2.11. Under the Generation Cost Recovery Rider (GCRR), EPE is allowed to recover the costs of new electricity generation facilities through a separate line-item charge on customer bills, bypassing the general base rate process, the City said. 'Once the new Texas Solar One generation facility begins providing service, EPE intends to file an updated request at the end of 2025 to account for the full cost of the facility. This request will likely further impact rates and will be reviewed by the City and other intervenors to ensure any proposed costs passed on to ratepayers remains fair,' read the news release. 'With the ongoing $93 million rate increase proposal and the new request for the Texas Solar One facility, the combined impact could lead to a total monthly increase of approximately $24.50 for residential customers,' Karla Nieman, City attorney, said. 'Our goal is to ensure any rate adjustments are fully justified, transparent, and in the best interest of the community. We will continue to collaborate with experts to ensure that the utility's investments align with the needs of our residents.' Additionally, in response to concerns from residents, the City Council requested that EPE host a series of community meetings to inform the public and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions about the general rate case and its potential impact. EPE hosted six community meetings throughout April, with the last meeting taking place on April 24. The City said it will continue to monitor both rate increase proposals, with final decisions expected by the end of 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
