Texas REP Files Complaint Against TDU For Refusal To Disconnect Customer

Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc., for its NEC Retail division, filed a formal complaint against AEP Texas Central Company (AEPTCC) at the Public Utility Commission of Texas for the TDU's alleged, "refusal to disconnect ... a critical care customer/member of NEC Retail, who is served by AEPTCC distribution service

NEC Retail alleged that the customer has not paid their electric bill for the past five months; did not sign a deferred payment plan when one was offered; and did not comply with the deferred payment plan with which the customer verbally agreed in a phone conversation with NEC Retail

NEC Retail's complaint details its attempts to contact the customer and enter a signed deferred payment plan.

NEC Retail alleges that AEPTCC has rejected a critical care disconnect order submitted by the REP, and alleged that AEPTCC advised NEC Retail that AEPTCC would not honor the critical care disconnect.

NEC requested that the Commission find that NEC Retail has disconnection authority under PUC SUBST. R. 483(b); that in excess of 63 days had passed from the issuance of the electric bill which the customer has not paid; that the customer has been given every opportunity to pay NEC for their electric service or to enter into a deferred payment agreement and has failed to do so; and that NEC Retail has met the requirements of PUC Subst. R. 25.483(g).

NEC sought an order requiring AEPTCC to disconnect the customer unless the customer pays their outstanding bills or enters into a signed deferred payment plan and makes the initial payment. NEC requested that the order make clear that if the customer seeks a deferred payment plan and fails to comply with the deferred payment plan, AEPTCC is ordered to disconnect the customer's electric service.

Docket 44752