"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."- Margaret Mead, US anthropologist (1901 - 1978)
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News Bulletin: PUC Commissioners Eliminate Controversial Test Used to Recommend Transmission Line; CBWC thanks all who wrote letters to PUC and contributed to funding this effort.
On Friday, February 10, 2012 the three members of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) directed the PUC Commission's staff to revise a proposed rule to eliminate the controversial so-called "Consumer Benefit Test." This test had been used to recommend CenterPoint Energy's proposed transmission line between Fayetteville and northwest Harris County. The test estimated savings to consumers based on predicted reductions in electricity generators' revemnue due to the construction of a transmission linel This means that CenterPoint will have to completely restart the process used to justify the need for the transmission line if they want to continue with efforts to construct it. This does not mean that the line has gone away for good. This is a significant victory for everyone opposed to the construction of this transmission line, but it is not a final victory. CenterPoint may be back at a later date.
Legislation introduced by State Representative Lois Kolkhorst and State Senator Glenn Hegar was instrumental in getting the PUC to examine the Consumer Benefit Test. It was through their efforts and the efforts of the landowner groups that organized in opposition to the line that the concerns of citizens in Harris, Waller, Austin and Fayette County were considered. The Comission's decision to eliminate the test is a victory for all landowners in Texas, not just in the affected counties.
The following four paragraphs are a summation from a press release sent out by the Tri-Community Alliance one of several landowner groups that opposed the line. "The conusmer benenfits test was not appropriately named," said the Tri-Community Alliance attorney Brad Bayliff. "The utility companies who created this test developed that description, but the test really measures the reduction in electric generator revenues. Some transmission line companies and utilities argued that reduced revenues for generators are equivalent to consumer benefites. Landowners pointed out the real focus of the test and disputed that the entire reduction of generator revenues could result in less generation capacity, which would create a bigger problem."
During discussion of the proposed rule at the PUC's Open Meeting, PUC Chairman Donna Nelson stated that she thinks the consumer benefits test is subject to changes in the input assumptions, a concern that was raised by landowners. She also said that "assumptions that seem reasonable today may be way off the mark a few years later" when ratepayers are still paying for the projects.
Commissioner Kenneth Anderson stated that he has been skeptical of the consumer benefit test from the beginning. One of the reasons he gave for his skepticism was that the test is contingent on natural gas price assumptions, rather than congestion of the electric grid. Anderson also suggested that, under the consumer benenfits test, the savings in one part of Texas is being measured against raising the cost somewhere else. That concern was raised in the joint comments filed by landowner groups Tri-Community Alliance, PACT, and VOLT.
The proposed Fayetteville to northwest Harris County transmission line was recommended by the Board of Directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) after the proposed line failed the ERCOT reliability and societal benefits tests but passed the consumer benefits test. It is quite possible that CenterPoint Energy may submit the project for ERCOT's review again using only the reliability and societal benefits test. Citizen for a Better Waller County recommends, "It is very important that everyone remain involved in the process and be prepared in the event that this project rises from the ashes." For updates on the CenterPoint Power Lines and other important issues in Waller County, please send your email address to info@wallercountytexas.com or visit the website www.wallercountytexas.com. |
Citizens for a Better Waller County 