Texas PUC Approves Interim Winter C&I Load Management Programs With Changes Sought By REPs

The Texas PUC approved a settlement under which AEP Texas Inc. (AEP Texas), CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (CenterPoint Houston), and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) will establish and operate load management programs for nonresidential customers during the period of December 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022

Oncor will also operate a similar program that was not subject to the settlement agreement

The design and details of the programs were detailed in our prior story here, with the following changes adopted under a revised settlement agreement

Notably, the revised settlement provides that retail electric providers are eligible participants under the programs.

Load that is curtailed due to operational inability is not eligible to participate

With respect to notice to REPs concerning customer participation in the program, the revised settlement provides that, for customers that have provided written consent, notice of enrollment and deployment will be provided to retail electric providers within three business days of enrollment or deployment. Oncor was also specifically directed to provide similar notice to REPs under its program.

The revised settlement reduces the maximum enrollment at CenterPoint Houston to 150 MW from the originally proposed 300 MW

Express language was added to place budget caps on the Interim Load Management Programs as follows:

• AEP Texas: $350,000

• CenterPoint Houston: $4,500,000

• TNMP: $60,000

Docket 52689