Texas PUC Denies REPs' Petition Concerning Automatic Disconnection Moratorium Sunsets

The Texas PUC has denied a petition from a group of retail electric providers for a rulemaking to adopt an automatic sunset, absent specific PUC action to the contrary, for any disconnection moratorium adopted by the PUC in response to a disaster.

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, the Coalition of Competitive Retail Electric Providers had proposed rule changes which included language stating that, "A disconnection moratorium for a state of disaster shall not last longer than 5 calendar days unless specifically continued for up to an additional 5 calendar days by written Commission order issued following notice and opportunity for interested persons to comment."

In denying the petition, the PUC stated, "The Commission currently has a full slate of rulemaking projects planned to implement legislation passed by the 87th Texas Legislature. Initiating the requested rulemaking project would require the Commission to redirect staff resources away from these planned rulemaking projects and jeopardize the Commission's ability to align its rules with statute in a timely fashion. Therefore, the modified petition for rulemaking is denied."

Docket 52200