Texas REP Files Complaint Against Utility Over Inaccurate Settlement Data, Seeks ERCOT Resettlement

Champion Energy Services, LLC has filed a complaint at the Public Utility Commission of Texas against Texas-New Mexico Power Company and ERCOT, relating to alleged inaccurate settlement meter data from TNMP, and ERCOT's ultimate reliance on the inaccurate data for wholesale settlement purposes.

Champion said that it has paid excess charges for wholesale energy and ancillary services of approximately $564,000 due to the allegedly inaccurate settlement meter data.

Champion alleged that TNMP has acknowledged to Champion that it submitted inaccurate meter data used for settlement purposes for November 19, 2012 through January 4, 2013. During such time, Champion was the REP of record for the single electric service identifier (ESI ID) at issue

Champion said that it believes it received correct consumption data from TNMP based upon the Texas Standard Electronic Transaction (TX SET) transactions sent by TNMP, and this accurate data was used to bill the end-use customer

However, for settlement purposes, Champion said that ERCOT relied upon the interval data supplied by TNMP's Advanced Meter. This settlement AMS interval data for the Disputed Operating Days was inaccurate and on average 300 times higher than the data relied upon by Champion for billing the end-use customer because, according to TNMP, TNMP used an incorrect meter multiplier, Champion alleged.

Champion said that it is not clear to Champion whether TNMP has corrected the inaccurate data sent to ERCOT. Champion said that it has attempted to resolve this issue through the applicable ERCOT requirements, including through the MarkeTrak processes and through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures, to no avail.

ERCOT informed Champion of its decision not to consider the request for ADR on July 17, 2014 because of Champion's failure to meet the applicable ERCOT timelines. Champion said that it was not aware of the error on TNMP's part until December 2013, and thus was not able to comply with the deadlines established by the applicable ERCOT requirements

Champion asked that the PUC order TNMP to submit corrected settlement data to ERCOT for relevant Operating Days' to the extent TNMP has not already done so, and order ERCOT to resettle for certain Operating Days.

Docket 42775