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Texas TDU Reaches 90% Threshold for REP Reimbursements Under Low-Income Smart Thermostat Program

June 15, 2015

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Copyright 2010-15 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

Update: 9:52. TNMP sent a new market notice this morning stating that it has reached the 90% reimbursement threshold

"Accordingly, TNMP hereby notifies participating REPs that it has provided $112,500 ($125,000 x 90%) in reimbursements and administrative costs. Pursuant to the Plan, the final invoice period (the final period that REPs can distribute devices to be eligible for reimbursement) for TNMP ends July 30, 2015 (45-days from notice date). Participating REPs shall submit any outstanding invoices for reimbursement for devices distributed during the final invoice period to TNMP by no later than August 15, 2015." the notice said

Earlier:

Texas New-Mexico Power has reported in a market notice that it has expended 75% of program funds under the low-income smart thermostat and in-home display program under which REPs are reimbursed by the TDU for providing the devices to eligible low-income customers at no cost.

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, for providing a low-income customer (using the definition used for the SBF) with an eligible programmable communicating thermostat (PCT) or in-home display (IHD) at no cost to the customer, a TDU reimburses the REP for the cost of a device up to a cap of $250, with an additional 25% for administrative costs, for a total reimbursement rate cap of $300 per device. For PCTs only, an additional $125 is reimbursed to cover the cost of installation

In the market notice sent Friday evening, TNMP notified participating REPs that it has provided at least $93,750 (or 75% of the $125,000 budget) in reimbursements and administrative costs pursuant to the program. Under the program, TDUs notify participating REPs upon the TDU's reimbursement of 75%, and 90%, of the TDU's designated funds available.

In other words, TNMP had $31,250 in remaining funds at the time of the market notice.

Earlier in the week, TNMP had reported to EnergyChoiceMatters.com that it has provided reimbursements related to 235 total customers under the program, reflecting reimbursements for 146 customers for an in-home display, and reimbursements for 89 customers for a programmable communicating thermostat.

TNMP said that four REPs have participated in the program in its service area, with interest from two additional REPs.

AEP Texas Central told EnergyChoiceMatters.com earlier last week that it had about $467,500 remaining of the $800,000 original funding available. AEP Texas North said that it had about $172,000 remaining of the $200,000 original funding available

AEP Texas Central has reimbursed REPs for 1,476 customers -- 793 reimbursements for a customer with a programmable communicating thermostat, and 683 reimbursements for a customer with an in-home display.

AEP Texas North has reimbursed REPs for 95 customers -- 30 reimbursements for a customer with a programmable communicating thermostat, and 65 reimbursements for a customer with an in-home display.

Across the AEP TDUs, nine REPs have participated in the program, the companies told EnergyChoiceMatters.com

Oncor told EnergyChoiceMatters.com that it could not provide any information on the program until after filing a six-month program report with the Public Utility Commission on June 30. CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric similarly declined to provide information in advance of its six-month report to the PUC

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