The gist
Oncor Electric requested in June for the cities to approve a 13% increase for system-wide transmission rates, which will add $834 million to city bills across Texas cities this year, according to multiple city documents.
The Steering Committee is made up of 170 cities from around the state, including Keller, Roanoke, Fort Worth, Colleyville, Grapevine, Southlake and Trophy Club.
Thomas Brocato, who serves as the general council to the Steering Committee, said to Community Impact the cities are in the process of gathering information to address Oncor Electric’s request to implement interim rates.
“There haven’t been any negotiations about resolving the case at this time but I anticipate there will be in the future,” Brocato said.
Colleyville Assistant City Manager Adrienne Lothery said she expects to bring a recommendation for City Council to approve following negotiation discussions.
Rachel Reynolds, the city of Keller’s communication and public engagement manager, said the item was on the agenda during the city's July 15 meeting as a formality for standard annual negotiation between Oncor Electric and the Steering Committee.
The background
City officials have also been asked to approve a 12.3% increase in residential rates, which would bring the average residents bill up by $7.90 per month. Additionally, Oncor asked for a 51% increase in street lighting rates.
Oncor Electric is not required to change rates until 2027, according to a news release from the Steering Committee. The company wants to change rates sooner because of the growth in its service territory.
Multiple cities approved to suspend the rate increase for 90 days in July, according to previous reporting.
Southlake, Fort Worth and several other cities that did not hold July City Council meetings were granted an extension to take action to suspend the rate request, according to Southlake city documents.
