HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 12-18 Denying Atmos Energy Rate ChangeRESOLUTION NO. 12-18
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE DENYING ATMOS ENERGY CORP.,
MID-TEX DIVISION'S ("ATMOS MID-TEX") REQUESTED RATE CHANGE;
REQUIRING THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE THE TOWN'S REASONABLE
RATEMAKING EXPENSES; FINDING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS
RESOLUTION IS PASSED IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW;
REQUIRING NOTICE OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND ACSC'S
LEGAL COUNSEL
WHEREAS, the Town of Westlake, Texas ("Town") is a gas utility customer of Atmos
Energy Corp., Mid -Tex Division ("Atmos Mid -Tex" or "Company"), and is a regulatory
authority under the Gas Utility Regulatory Act ("GURA") and under Chapter 104, §104.001 et
seq. of LURA, has exclusive original jurisdiction over Atmos Mid-Tex's rates, operations, and
services within the City; and
WHEREAS, the Town is a member of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee ("ACSC"),
a coalition of over 150 similarly situated cities served by the Company that have joined together
to facilitate the review and response to natural gas issues affecting rates charged in the Atmos
Mid -Tex Division; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the agreement settling the Company's 2007
Statement of Intent to increase rates, ACSC and the Company worked collectively to develop a
Rate Review Mechanism ("RRM") tariff that allows for an expedited rate review process
controlled in a three-year experiment by ACSC as a substitute to the current GRIP process
instituted by the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, ACSC and the Company agreed to extend the RRM process in reaching a
settlement in 2010 on the third RRM filing; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, ACSC and the Company engaged in good faith negotiations
regarding the continuation of the RRM process, but were unable to come to ultimate agreement;
and
WHEREAS, on or about January 31, 2012, the Company filed a Statement of Intent with
the cities retaining original jurisdiction within its Mid -Tex service division to increase rates by
approximately $49 million; and
WHEREAS, Atmos Mid -Tex proposed March 6, 2012, as the effective date for its
requested increase in rates; and
WHEREAS, the Town suspended the effective date of Atmos Mid-Tex's proposed rate
increase for the maximum period allowed by law and thus extended the Town's jurisdiction until
June 4, 2012; and
Resolution 12-18
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WHEREAS, on April 25, 2012, the Company extended the effective date for its
proposed rates by one week, which similarly extended the Town's jurisdiction until June 11,
2012; and
WHEREAS, the ACSC Executive Committee hired and directed legal counsel and
consultants to prepare a common response to the Company's requested rate increase and to
negotiate with the Company and direct any necessary litigation; and
WHEREAS, ACSC's consultants conducted a review of the Company's requested rate
increase and found justification that the Company's rates should be decreased; and
WHEREAS, ACSC and the Company have engaged in settlement discussions but will be
unable according to Company representations to reach settlement in sufficient time for cities to
act before June 11, 2012; and
WHEREAS, failure by ACSC members to take action before June 11, 2012 would allow
the Company the right to impose its full request on residents of said ACSC members; and
WHEREAS, the ACSC Settlement Committee recommends denial of the Company's
proposed rate increase in order to continue settlement discussions pending the Company's appeal
of cities' denials to the Railroad Commission of Texas; and
WHEREAS, the GURA § 103.022 provides that costs incurred by cities in ratemaking
activities are to be reimbursed by the regulated utility.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1: That the rates proposed by Atmos Mid -Tex to be recovered through its gas rates
charged to customers located within the Town limits, are hereby found to be unreasonable and
shall be denied.
SECTION 2: That the Company shall continue to charge its existing rates to customers within
the City and that said existing rates are reasonable.
SECTION 3: That the Town's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the
Company.
SECTION 4: That it is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which this
Resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law and the public notice of the time,
place, and purpose of said meeting was given as required.
Resolution 12-18
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SECTION 5: A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to Atmos Mid -Tex, care of David Park,
Vice President Rates & Regulatory Affairs, at Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid -Tex Division,
5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1862, Dallas, Texas 75240, and to Geoffrey Gay, General Counsel to
ACSC, at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., P.O. Box 1725, Austin., Texas 78767-
1725.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 7" DAY OF MAY, 2012.
ATTEST:
Kelly Edward Town Secretary
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Laufa Wheat, Mayor
Thomas E. Brymer, own Manager
Resolution 12-18
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