CenterPoint Energy is negotiating with Houston and dozens of other cities in its bid to raise customers’ electric rates again.
The utility company is seeking to recoup $1.3 billion in costs it says were incurred to restore power after Hurricane Beryl and two other weather events. CenterPoint claims the proposed increase would cost the average household that uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity about $2.13 more per month.
This request comes on top of a $1 monthly increase the Texas Public Utility Commission approved earlier for CenterPoint’s recovery costs from the May derecho. They claimed $400 million in expenses from that weather event.
CenterPoint can charge customers ‘reasonable and necessary’ costs from extreme weather events. But the rates must be approved by the PUC.
Representatives from dozens of cities in CenterPoint’s coverage area are pushing back against the cost increase. The two sides were set to appear before a state administrative judge on July 31st, when they asked to delay the hearing so they can try to reach an agreement.
City representatives and CenterPoint have until Aug. 15 to negotiate an increase both sides can accept.
In a separate filing sent to the PUC this week, CenterPoint also highlights ongoing efforts including post-hurricane resiliency initiatives such as pole replacements, undergrounding power lines, communication improvements, and customer outreach including in-language support.
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