ALJs Deny Parties' Motion To Abate Sharyland Advanced Meter Deployment Petition

Two Texas ALJs have denied a motion from certain parties, including Staff of the Texas PUC, to abate consideration of an advanced metering deployment plan from Sharyland Utilities pending resolution of the Oncor change-in-control proceeding.

Parties seeking the abatement noted Sharyland would become an affiliate should the Oncor change-in-control be approved, and suggested that the AMS plan could be revised, to save costs, if Oncor AMS assets were able to be leveraged.

Sharyland opposed the delay, stating such issues can be addressed through cross-examination at the hearing on the merits or through post-hearing briefing, but they do not warrant a further delay in the proceeding. Sharyland said that delay could increase costs of deployment by requiring an entirely new AMS plan

"The Administrative Law Judges believe that Sharyland has stated the more persuasive arguments. The matter at issue here is, after all, Sharyland's application and Sharyland should be allowed to pursue it to a conclusion. As Sharyland notes, granting the Joint Parties' motion would, in effect, allow the Joint Parties to prevail on their position without allowing Sharyland a hearing. Accordingly, the Joint Parties' Motion to Abate is denied," the ALJs said