Agreement in Principle Reached in Sharyland Unbundling Case (May Allow Implementation of Choice on Schedule)

Parties have informed the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they have reached an agreement in principle in the rate unbundling proceeding for Sharyland Utilities, L.P., covering the Stanton, Colorado City, Brady, and Celeste divisions which are being transitioned to retail choice.

Specifically, Sharyland Utilities, Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., Texas Industrial Energy Consumers, St. Lawrence Cotton Growers' Association, Texas Cotton Ginners' Association, Texas Energy Association for Marketers, Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC, Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent Westtex LLC, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, and the Staff of the PUCT jointly said that they have reached an agreement in principle on the rate case issues.

Parties agreed that a hearing, which is currently scheduled to begin on November 18, 2013, "will not be necessary."

The parties propose a deadline of December 9, 2013, for the parties to file a final settlement package, or in the alternative if the settlement has not been finalized, to file a status report.

To the extent the case is settled unanimously and a hearing is not necessary, it may allow for the contemplated May 1, 2014 start date for retail choice at Sharyland's former Cap Rock territories to proceed as planned. Earlier, several REPs had raised concern that the May 1, 2014 date was potentially no longer tenable if the case had proceeded to hearing (click here for prior story)