CenterPoint TDU Files To Double Rider Charged To Retail Providers

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric has filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas to increase its Distribution Cost Recovery Factors (DCRF).

For residential customers, the filing represents an increase of 100% from the currently effective DCRF. For Secondary ≤ 10 kVA customers, the filing represents an increase of 96%.

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric's proposed DCRFs are:

Effective:         9/1/17     9/1/18*
Residential        $0.001603  $0.001656  per kWh
Secondary ≤10 kVA  $0.002082  $0.002151  per kWh
Secondary >10 kVA  $0.272994  $0.281978  per kVA
Primary            $0.117045  $0.120897  per kVA
Transmission       $0.005138  $0.005307  per 4CP kVA
Lighting           $0.024747  $0.025561  per kWh

*Note: the DCRFs effective 9/1/17 reflect inclusion in the revenue requirement a refund of a prior overcollection. The DCRFs effective 9/1/18 would reflect the revenue requirement once this refund has been completed, unless CEHE subsequently files for an update to the 9/1/18 DCRF prior to the 9/1/18 rates above taking effect

For comparison, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric's current DCRFs are:

Residential          $0.000795 per kWh
Secondary ≤10 kVA    $0.001061 per kWh
Secondary >10 kVA    $0.136574 per kVA
Primary              $0.060299 per kVA
Transmission         $0.002657 per 4CP kVA
Lighting             $0.011658 per kWh

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric provided the following statement concerning its filing:

"This filing represents 0.68% increase in an average residential bill.

"Funding a modern and reliable electrical grid depends on a regulatory structure that both allows utilities to keep pace with evolving demands and technology, and provides for timely cost recovery. The rate case process to recover investments, revenues and expenditures associated with electric grid infrastructure can be drawn out and administratively burdensome.

"Since 2009, CenterPoint Energy has invested nearly $2.63 billion in capital in its electric distribution business. Last year alone, the company invested $479 million in capital in its electric distribution system in primarily three areas:

• System Improvement Projects

• Load Growth Projects

• Intelligent Grid

"Additionally, Houston Electric added nearly 55,000 metered customers last year, which equates to 2 percent year-over-year growth."