HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 1290 - Order SWPSC, LP&L Deposits & Late Charges Implementation - 12_16_1982RESOLUTION 1290 - 12/16/82
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ORDER AND RESOLUTION
AN ORDER AND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK, SITTIN
AS A REGULATORY AUTHORITY UNDER VERNON'S ANN.CIV.STAT., ART. 1446c, AS TO SOUTH
WESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, A PUBLIC UTILITY, AND AS THE CITY COUNCIL OF TH
CITY OF LUBBOCK AS TO LUBBOCK POWER AND LIGHT AND WATER, A MUNICIPALLY OWNED
UTILITY, ORDERING AND RESOLVING THAT BOTH UTILITIES IMPLEMENT DEPOSITS AND LATE
CHARGES FOR ALL CLASSES OF CUSTOMERS SERVED BY EACH UTILITY AND THAT THE TARIFF
OF BOTH UTILITIES BE REVISED IN CONFORMITY WITH THIS ORDER AND RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lubbock, upon its own motion and
in accordance with the terms of §42, Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S., ordered and conductec
on December 16, 1982, a public hearing with regard to the reasonableness of late
payment penalties and customer deposits charged by Southwestern Public Service
Company and to determine whether changes in rates or tariffs may be appropriate;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lubbock likewise, upon its own
motion conducted a public hearing on the date above -mentioned concerning the
reasonableness of late payment penalties and customer deposits charged by Lub-
bock Power and Light and Water and to determine whether changes in rates or
tariffs may be appropriate, and
WHEREAS, representatives of both'Southwestern Public Service Company and
Lubbock Power and Light and Water were present at such hearing, and
WHEREAS, at the hearing information was presented to the City Council
concerning rates and tariffs of both Southwestern Public Service Company and
Lubbock Power and Light and Water, and
WHEREAS, neither company currently has in effect a tariff providing for
type of deposit or late payment penalty within the City of Lubbock, and
WHEREAS, the lack of a deposit requirement and late payment penalty in the
tariffs charged by both utilities for electric service is unreasonable in that
it discriminates against those customers who pay their charges promptly and
totally and it causes both utilities to seek rate increases to offset the
deficiencies in revenues from such practices at more frequent times than would
be necessary if deposits and late payment penalties are incorporated into the
tariffs of both companies, and
WHEREAS, the lack of a deposit requirement and late payment presently is
unfair to both utilities in that it erodes what has heretofore been found to be
necessary rates to provide a reasonable return to both companies, and
WHEREAS, the City Council makes the following finding as to Southwestern
Public Service Company:
1. Southwestern Public Service Company is a regulated Public Utility as
defined in §3 of Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S.
2. The purpose of the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1975 (Art.
1446c) is set forth in §1 of said Act as follows:
The purpose of this Act is to establish a comprehensive regu-
latory system which is adequate to the task of regulating public
utilities as defined by the Act, to assure rates, operations, an
services which are just and reasonable to consumers and to the
utilities.
3. That any changes to existing tariffs of Southwestern Public Service
Company hereinafter ordered are changes in rates of said company as
that term is set forth in §3(d) of Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S.
4. That §17(a), Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S. grants to the governing body of ea
municipality exclusive original jurisdiction over all electric rates
provided by an electric utility within its city.
5. That the requirement found in §22, Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S. to regulate
Public Utilities in accord with the same standards and rules as the
Commission or other standards and rules not inconsistent therewith
does not apply to the matter before the City Council since the limi-
tation set forth in said section applies only to service and not rat
and these terms are defined separately and differently in the Act.
6. That the duty of the City Council, sitting as a regulatory authority,
in setting rates is set forth in §38, Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S. as follows
"(a) It shall be the duty of the regulatory authority to insure
that every rate made, demanded, or received by any public utilit
or by any two or more public utilities jointly, shall be just an
reasonable. Rates shall not be unreasonably preferential, pre-
judicial, or discriminatory, but shall be sufficient, equitable,
and consistent in application to each class of consumers. For
ratemaking purposes, the commission or railroad commission may
treat two or more municipalities served by a public utility as a
single class wherever the commission or railroad commission deem
such treatment to be appropriate."
7. That §45, Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S., states that no public utility may
establish and maintain any unreasonable differences as to rates of
service either as between localities or as between classes of service
8. That the current tariff implementing Southwestern Public Service Com-
pany's current rate is unreasonable and does not insure rates that ar
just between all classes of customers served by said utility. That
said tariff is unjust and unreasonable in the following particulars:
(a) No late payment penalty is required for any class of customer.
(b) No deposit is required for any class of customer.
(c) That failure to provide for a late payment penalty and for a
deposit discriminates against those customers of said utility
pay their charges in full and on time.
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(d) That failure to provide for a late payment charge and for a
deposit produces revenue deficiencies which will require future
requests for rate increases to make up for said revenue defi-
ciency.
(e) That customers who pay their charges in full and on time will be
looked to to bare.the expense of future rate increases to make ul
the revenue deficiency caused by the lack of an adequate late
payment penalty and deposit requirement.
(f) That failure to provide for a late payment penalty and deposit is
the current tariff leads to an erosion of the existing rates
necessitating additional rate increases to provide a reasonable
return to Southwestern Public Service Company.
(g) That the current tariff has no provision to encourage the prompt,
payment of utility bills rendered by Southwestern Public Service'
Company.
(h) That the current tariff has no provision to protect against the
non payment of a bill rendered by Southwestern Public Service a
a deposit requirement will assist in this regard.
9. In order to carry out the purpose of the Texas Public Utility Regu-
latory Act of 1975 the current tariff of Southwestern Public Service
Company should be changed to provide for a late payment penalty and
deposit requirement as hereinafter ordered.
10. That it is the duty of the City Council sitting as a regulatory
authority to insure that every rate made, demanded or received by any
Public Utility . . . shall be just and reasonable. It is the further
duty of the City Council sitting as a regulatory authority to see that
rates shall not be unreasonably preferential, prejudicial or dis-
criminatory, but shall be sufficient, equitable and consistent in
application to each class of consumers. (Emphasis Added)
11. That the failure of any new tariff as hereinafter ordered, to apply
all classes of customers would be unjust and unreasonable discrimi-
nation between classes of customers served and in violation of §45,
Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S. and that such tariff would not be consistent in
its application to each class of consumers as required by §38 of the
aforementioned statute.
12. That the City Council sitting as a regulatory authority, after notice
and hearing as required in §42, Art. 1446c, V.A.C,S. on its own motioi
does hereby find that the tariff of Southwestern Public Service Com-
pany should be amended and changed to provide for a late payment
penalty and deposit requirement for all classes of consumers served b,
said utility as hereinafter ordered, and
WHEREAS, the City Council makes the following finding as to Lubbock Power
and Light and Water:
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1. That Lubbock Power and Light and Water is not a Public Utility as
defined in §3, Art. 1446c, V.A.C.S.
2. That the rates and tariffs of Lubbock Power and Light and Water are
set by the City Council of the City of Lubbock.
3. That the current tariff implementing Lubbock Power and Light and Wate
current rates does not contain, as to any class of customer served by
said utility, any provision for a late payment penalty or a deposit
requirement.
4. That the current tariff implementing Lubbock Power and Light and Wate
current rates is unreasonable and does not insure rates that are just
between all classes of customers served by said utility. That said
tariff is unjust and unreasonable in all the particulars as heretofor
set forth above for Southwestern Public Service Company.
5. That in order to provide just, fair and reasonable rates for Lubbock
Power and Light and Water the current tariff of said utility should b
amended and changed to provide for a late payment penalty and deposit
requirement for all classes of customers served by said utility as
hereinafter resolved; NOW THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDERED AND RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS:
1. That Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light
and Water shall charge a five (5%) percent late payment penalty for
electric service to all classes of customers, served by each utility.
2. That the late payment penalty of 5% shall be charged on all bills
rendered and issued for electric service by Southwestern Public
Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light and Water if said bill is
paid by the consumer after 15 days from issuance.
3. A bill shall be deemed issued and rendered to the consumer on the da
that said bill is deposited in the United States Mail properly ad-
dressed to the consumer.
4. That Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light
and Water shall change and amend their tariffs to conform to this
Order.
5. That Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light
and Water shall file with.the City Secretary of the City of Lubbock a
true and correct copy of the tariffs as amended and changed as re-
quired by this Order and Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED AND RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
1. That Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light
and Water shall change and amend their tariffs to require a deposit
from customers of each utility for electric service as follows:
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(a) For all commercial and industrial consumers a deposit of one -
sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual billings shall be required.
(b) For all residential consumers a deposit of Fifty ($50.00) Dollar:
shall be required.
2. That the deposit requirements hereinabove required shall apply to co
sumers seeking new electric service from Southwestern Public Service
Company and Lubbock Power and Light and Water after the effective da
of this Order and Resolution.
3. Notwithstanding any requirement set forth in paragraph 1 and paragr
2 above set forth, a residential applicant shall not be required to
pay a deposit if any of the following conditions can be met by said
applicant for service:
(a) If the residential applicant has been a customer of any utility
for the same kind of service within the last two years and is not
delinquent in payment of any such utility service account and
during the last twelve (12) consecutive months of service did not
have more than one occasion in which a bill for such utility
service was paid after becoming delinquent and never had service
disconnected for nonpayment; or
(b) If the residential applicant furnishes in writing a satisfactory
guarantee to secure payment of bills for the service required; of
(c) If the residential applicant demonstrates a satisfactory credit
rating by appropriate means, including, but not limited to, the
production of generally acceptable credit cards, letters of
credit reference, the names of credit references which may be
quickly and inexpensively contacted by the utility, or ownership
of substantial equity.
(d) All applicants for permanent residential service who are sixty-
five (65) years of age or older will be considered as having
established credit if such applicant does not have an outstandin
account balance with the utility or another utility for the same
utility service which accrued within the last two years. No cas
deposit shall be required of such applicant under these con-
ditions.
4. Notwithstanding any requirement set forth in paragraph 1 or paragraph
2 above set forth, a commercial or industrial applicant shall not be
required to pay a deposit if such applicant has been a customer of an
utility (including a municipal utility) for the same kind of service
within the last two years and is not delinquent in payment of any suc
utility service account and during the last twelve (12) consecutive
months of service did not have more than one occasion in which a bill
for such utility service was paid after becoming delinquent and never
had service disconnected for nonpayment.
5. In every instance where Southwestern Public Service Company or Lubbo
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Power and Light and Water have required a deposit in accordance with
the terms of this Order and Resolution, they shall pay interest on
such deposit required at an annual rate of six (6%) percent. In
accordance with the following terms and provisions:
(a) If a deposit is refunded within 30 days of its receipt no
interest payment shall be required.
(b) If .a deposit is retained for 30 days or longer, interest shall
be prorated at the annual rate above mentioned and paid retro-
active to the date of deposit.
(c) When the customer has paid bills for service for twelve (12)
consecutive residential billings or for twenty-four (24) con-
secutive commercial or industrial billings without having servic�
disconnected for nonpayment of charges for such service and
without having more than two occasions in which a bill was
delinquent and when the customer is not delinquent in the pay-
ment of the current bill, the utility shall promptly and auto-
matically refund the deposit plus accrued interest to the
customer in the form of cash or (at the option of the utility) a;
credit to the customers bill. If a customer does not meet the
criteria above set forth for a refund of deposit plus accrued
interest the utility shall retain said deposit under the same
terms as heretofore set forth until such time as the customer
can meet the criteria for refund.
(d) A deposit shall cease to draw interest on the date it is re-
turned or credited to customers account.
(e) Each utility shall keep records to show:
(1) The name and address of each depositor
(2) The amount and date of the deposit
(3) Each transaction concerning the deposit
(f) Each utility shall issue a receipt of deposit to each applicant
from whom a deposit is received, and shall provide means whereby!
a depositor may establish a claim for refund (in all cases where;
the provisions of subparagraph (c) are met) if the receipt is j
lost.
(g) Any retained deposit which has not previously been refunded to
the customer or credited to the customers account in accordance
with the provisions of subparagraph (c) above shall be credited
to a customers final bill for service.
6. That Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light
and Water shall file with the City Secretary of the City of Lubbock
a true and correct copy of the tariff as amended or changed as re-
quired by this order.
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED AND RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK:
That the effective date of this Order and Resolution shall be March 1,
1983, and Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light and
Water shall be in full compliance with this Order and Resolution by the above -
mentioned date.
That the City Secretary is directed to serve a certified copy of this
Order and Resolution upon Southwestern Public Service Company and Lubbock Power
and Light and Water.
ORDERED AND RESOLVED by the City Council this 16 th day Decemb 982.
BILL McALISTER, MAYOR and Presidi
Officer of the Regulatory Authori
ATTEST:
Ev lyn Gaffga, C ty See eta y reasurer
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Carroll McDonald, Director
of Electric Utilities
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
'94 c �P-'14-f -
,,,
ohn C. Ross, Jr., City Attorney
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THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF LUBBOCK
CITY OF LUBBOCK
1, EVELYN GAFFGA, City Secretary -Treasurer of the City
of Lubbock, Texas hereby certify that the attached document is a
true and correct copy of the document designated ORDER AND RESOLUTION
NO. 1290, being duly recorded in Minute Book No. 41A, Pages 1518-1522,
Item 2301 of the Minutes of the City Council dated December 16, 1982.
(Sea])
TO CERTIFY WHICH, witness my hand
and seal of the City of Lubbock,
this loth day of January, 1983.
E ELYN GAFFGA,"City Secret ry
NO.
JA N 1 _ 19831
CITY SFCREipRY ,1`%v
PETITION OF APPEAL BY SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE
COMPANY OF THE ORDER AND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK OF DECEMBER 16, 1982
REQUIRING INSTITUTION OF LATE PAYMENT PENALTY AND
DEPOSITS BY SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
WITHIN THE CITY OF LUBBOCK. TEXAS
TO THE HONORABLE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
NOW COMES Southwestern Public Service Company, Petitioner,
and brings this appeal for determination by the Public
Utility Commission of Texas of the validity of the Order and
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Lubbock (sitting
as a regulatory authority pursuant to Article 1446c, V.A.C.S.)
of December 16, 1982 requiring institution of deposits and late
payment penalty by Southwestern Public Service Company to its
customers within the City of Lubbock, Texas.
1.
This appeal is brought pursuant to §16(d) and 526(a)
of Article 1446c, V.A.C.S., the Public Utility Regulatory Act
(hereinafter referred to as the Act), and Public Utility
Commission of Texas has jurisdiction over the parties and
subject matter of this appeal pursuant to §16(d) and §26(a)
of Article 1446(c), V.A.C.S.
2.
Southwestern Public Service Company is a public utility
as defined in §3(c)(1) of the Act and is engaged in producing,
generating, transmitting, distributing, selling, and furnishing
electricity to commercial, industrial and residential cus-
tomers within the City of Lubbock, Texas.
3.
On December 16, 1982 the City Council of the City of
Lubbock passed an Order and Resolution requiring late pay-
ment penalty and deposits by Southwestern Public Service
Company to its customers within the City of Lubbock, Texas.
A certified copy of such Order and Resolution is
attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof for
all purposes.
4.
During the consideration by the Lubbock City Council
of the passage of an Order and Resolution to require de-
posits and late payment penalties, Petitioner, Southwestern
Public Service Company, through its attorneys, advised the
City Manager and City Attorney of the City of Lubbock, in
writing, that they were of the opinion that any Order or
Resolution or Ordinance directing institution of a late pay-
ment penalty and/or deposits would constitute a change in
"rates" and that, insofar as Southwestern Public Service
Company was concerned, the City Council of the City of.
Lubbock had no authority or jurisdiction to. pass any ordi-
nance or order which was inconsistent with any of the standards
or rules of the Public Utility Commission of the State of
Texas by virtue of the provisions of §22 of the Act.
Specifically, the City of Lubbock was advised by the
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attorneys for Southwestern Public Service Company that they
were of the opinion that, insofar as Southwestern Public
Service Company was concerned, the City had no authority to
pass an Ordinance, Order or Resolution which was inconsistent
with the Public Utility Commission of Texas' Substantive Rules
§052.02.04.044(b) and §052.02.04.045(a)(2), a copy of which
Rules are attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and made A part here-
of for all purposes.
5.
The Order and Resolution attached hereto as Exhibit "A"
is clearly inconsistent,at least with §052.02.04.044(b) of
the Public Utility Commission of Texas' Substantive Rules
in that such section of the Public Utility Commission of Texas'
Substantive Rules provides that no penalty shall apply to
residential bills under this Rule and the Order and Resolution
of the Lubbock City Council provides for a 5% late payment
penalty to all classes of customers.
Specifically, on page 4 of such Order and Resolution
it is provided:
"BE IT ORDERED AND RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK, TEXAS:
"l. That Southwestern Public Service Company and
Lubbock Power and Light and Water shall charge
a five (5%) percent late payment penalty for
-3-
electric service to all classes of customers,
served by each utility.
"2. That the late payment penalty of 5% shall be
charged on all bills rendered and issued for
electric service by Southwestern Public
Service Company and Lubbock Power and Light
and Water if said bill is paid by the con-
sumer after 15 days from issuance.
"4. That Southwestern Public Service Company and
Lubbock Power and Light and Water shall change
and amend their tariffs to conform to this
Order.
"5. That Southwestern Public Service Company and
Lubbock Power and Light and Water shall file
with the City Secretary of the City of Lubbock
a true and correct copy of the tariffs as
amended and changed as required by this Order
and Resolution."
§052.02.04.044(b) of the Public Utility Commission of
Texas' Substantive Rules provides:
"(b) A one-time penalty not to exceed
five percent (5%) may be made on
delinquent commercial or industrial
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bills; however, no such penalty shall
apply to residential bills under this
rule."
Under the Order and Resolution of the City Council of
the City of Lubbock, Southwestern Public Service Company is
required to charge a five percent (5%) penalty to all classes
of customers, including residential customers and such provi-
sions of the Order and Resolution, inter alia, are clearly
inconsistent with §052.02.04.044(b) of the Public Utility
Commission of Texas' Substantive Rules.
W
In the event the Order and Resolution of the Lubbock
City Council requiring late payment penalty charges by the
Southwestern Public Service Company to all classes of cus-
tomers is in fact invalid and unlawful, Petitioner, South-
western Public Service Company, could be subjected to the
penalties provided in §72 and §74 of the Act.
PRAYER
Therefore, Southwestern Public Service Company brings
this Petition of Appeal for a determination by the Commission
as to the validity and legality of the provisions of the
Order and Resolution of the City of Lubbock attached here-
to as Exhibit "A" and prays that after hearing this Commission
render its final decision, including findings of fact and
conclusions of law, as to the validity and legality of the
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Order and Resolution of the City of Lubbock referred to
above.
The effective date of such Order and Resolution is
March 1, 1983 and Petitioner further prays that the hearing
of this matter be expedited so that the final decision of
the Commission can be rendered prior to March 1, 1983, the
effective date of such Order and Resolution.
Respectfully submitted,
SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE HINKLE, COX, EATON, COFFIELD &
COMPANY HENSLEY
6th and Tyler Streets P. 0. Box 12118
Amarillo,Potter County, Texas Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
79170 79101
(806)378-2121 (806)372-5569
CRENSHAW, DUPREE & MILAM
P. 0. Box 1499
Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas
79408
(806)762-5281
By ...
Cec'il Kuhne
-Texas Bar 0 11760(YOA
By U.
�oe V. Boerner, U .
Texas Bar # 02551000
ATTORNEYS FOR PETITIONER,
SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE
COMPANY
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The City of Lubbock has been served by delivering a true
and correct copy of the foregoing Petition of Appeal to the
City Secretary of the City of Lubbock, Evelyn Gaffga, and by
delivering a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing
Petition of Appeal on Mr. John Ross, City Attorney of the City
of Lubbock on this the 14th day of January, 1983.
By
se
A true and correct copy of the above and foregoing Petition
of Appeal has been delivered the General Counsel of the Public
Utility Commission of Texas, Suit 400N, 7800 Shoal Creek
Boulevard, Austin, Texas 7875 , on his the 14th day of January,
1983.
By Robert E.-Duncan
Texas Bar # 06218950
OF COUNSEL
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THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF LUBBOCK
CITY OF LUBBOCK
I, EVELYN GAFFGA, City Secretary -Treasurer of the City
of Lubbock, Texas hereby certify that the attached document is a
true and correct copy of the document designated ORDER AND RESOLUTION
NO. 1290, being duly recorded in Minute Book No. 41A, Pages 1518-1522,
Item 2301 of the Minutes of the City Council dated December 16, 1982.
TO CERTIFY WHICH, witness my hand
and seal of the City of Lubbock,
this loth day of January, 1983.
' __✓
(Seal) ��—
E ELYN GAFFGA, "C i ty Sec're�try
EXHIBIT "A"
- �,! #_: - /,. - Al L F //,,
' f "' 5.,•.,. x: r,+:.•-.4
.. v-. ,i �, � ..
6
DOCKET NO. 4962
APPEAL OF SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
SERVICE COMPANY FROM ORDINANCE
OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK REQUIRING OF
INSTITUTION OF LATE PAYMENT
PENALTY AND DEPOSITS TEXAS
NOTICE OF PREHEARING CONFERENCE
On January 14, 1983, Southwestern Public Service Company (SWPS) filed an appeal from
an Ordinance of the City of Lubbock requiring institution of late payment penalty and
despoits.
The Commission has jurisdiction over this case pursuant to Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann.
art. 1446c, 9916 and 26(a) (1980). Pursuant to P.U.C. PROC. R. 052.01.00.024(a) a
prehearing conference will be held in this docket at the Commission offices, 7800 Shoal
Creek Boulevard, Austin, Texas, on the 14th day of February, 1983, at 1:30 p.m. The scope
of the conference shall include consideration of motions to intervene, alignment of'�
parties, determination of a discovery and hearing schedule, and other procedural matters
within the scope of P.U.C. PROC. R. 052.01.00.052.
Requests for a court reporter's presence at the prehearing conference shall be
presented to the examiner on or before the 9th day of February, 1983.
ENTERED AT AUSTIN, TEXAS on this the zi K day of �u,1a�.0 1983.
DOCKET NO. 4962
APPEAL OF SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION•
SERVICE COMPANY FROM ORDINANCE Q
OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK REQUIRING OF
INSTITUTION OF LATE PAYMENT
PENALTY AND DEPOSITS Q TEXAS
NOTICE OF PREHEARING CONFERENCE
On January 14, 1983, Southwestern Public Service Company (SWPS) filed an appeal from
an Ordinance of the City of Lubbock requiring institution of late payment penalty and
despoits.
The Commission has jurisdiction over this case pursuant to Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann.
art. 1446c, SSS16 and 26(a) (1980). Pursuant to P.U.C. PROC. R. 052.01.00.024(a) a
prehearing conference will be held in this docket dam,-e,. i4�,tQn..oftices,,eMO Shoal
Creek Boulevard Austin Tex o�the 14t dayr�f, Febr�ua ,yr 1983 tom_- 0-p.M,,,.The scope
of the conference shall include consideration of motions to intervene, alignment of
parties, determination of a discovery and hearing schedule, and other procedural matters
within the scope of P.U.C. PROC. R. 052.01.00.052.
-Requests for a court reporter's presence at the prehearing conference shall be
presented to the examiner on or before the 9th day of February, 1983.
ENTERED AT AUSTIN, TEXAS on this the 21 K day of 1983.
DOCKET NO. 4962
APPEAL OF SOUTHWESTERN SERVICE J
COMPANY FROM ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF LUBBOCK REQUIRING
INSTITUTIONS OF LATE PAYMENT
PENALTY AND DEPOSITS
PUBLIC UTILITY COMISSION
OF TEXAS D
v
INTERIM ORDER AND BRIEFING DATES
On February 14, 1983 a prehearing conference was held
Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), the City of Lubbock
represented by their respective counsel.
�£821 1983
C�fy t'rn„_
�,4#y
i this proceeding.
and Staff appeared,
At the prehearing conference the staff counsel for the General Counsel's office,
Elizabeth Drews, stipulated on the record that the General Counsel will not proceed
against SPS for noncompliance with P.U.C. SUBST. R. 052.02.04.044 during the pendency of
this proceeding.
It is hereby ordered that if during the pendency of these proceedings SPS collects
delayed payment penalties from its customers according to the Ordinance passed by the City
of Lubbock, SPS shall make provision for refund of such penalties to the customers from
whom the penalties were collected, in the event the Commission rules that such penalties
should not have been collected. SPS shall keep accurate records during the pendency of
this proceeding of forwarding addresses for customers leaving the system so that refund of
delayed payment penalties collected from these customers may also be refunded. In this
regard, SPS is hereby put on notice that a detailed accounting of penalties collected and
refunded to each customer will be required in the Pvant V CS-F. , 4+ _.-- -
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
IdAR 2 21983
CITY SECRETARY
RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
TARIFF NUMBER 1008.11
CANCELLING 1008.10
APPLICABLE: To residential customers for electric service used for domestic
purposes in private residences and separately metered individual apartments
when all service is supplied at one point of delivery, and measured through
one kilowatt hour meter, where facilities of adequate capacity and suitable
voltage are adjacent to the premises to be served. Single phase motors
not to exceed 10 horsepower, individual capacity, may be served under this
rate.
TERRITORY: Lubbock, Texas.
RATE: Service Availability Charge: $5.10 per month, which includes
30 kwh per month;
All kwh used per month in excess of 30 kwh @ 2.62G per kwh.
ELECTRIC LIVING SERVICES
(1) Water Heating - When customer has in regular use a permanently installed
240 volt, 30 gallons or greater, storage type water heater of not greater
than 5.5 kilowatts, individual rated capacity, the first 500 kwh will be
billed at the regular rate, the next 500 kwh at 1.15C per kwh, and all
additional kwh at the regular rate.
(2) All -Electric Space Heating - When customer has in regular use permanently
installed space heating equipment of an aggregate rated capacity of 5
kilowatts or more, excluding bathroom heaters, billing during the winter
months will be the first 500 kwh at the regular rate, and all additional
kwh at 1.15G per kwh. When customer has water heating in combination
with all -electric space heating, the first 500 kwh will be billed at the
regular rate, and all additional kwh at 1.154. per kwh.
For heat pump installations, the rated capacity shall be determined by
adding the rated capacity of the heat pump (1 ton per kilowatt) and ;i of
the rated capacity of any auxiliary heating elements used in conjunction
with the heat pump.
The rated capacity of space heating equipment may be measured by the
Company.
Continued
Approved
(Continued)
WINTER MONTHS: The billing months of November to May, inclusive.
FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT: The charge per kilowatt hour of the above rate shall be
adjusted by,a'fuel cost factor per kilowatt hour calculated in accordance with
Tariff' No. 1900, Fuel Cost Recovery.
TERMS OF PAYMENT: Net in 15 days after mailing date; 5% added to bill after 15
CONDITIONS AND REGULATIONS: Water heating equipment served on this rate shall
be of insulated storage type bearing the approval of the Underwriter's
Laboratories, Inc., and shall have a demand of not greater than 5.5 kilo-
watts, individual capacity. Space heating equipment and the installation
of the equipment shall be subject to the approval of the supplying utility.
A customer must have permanently installed and in regular use space heating
equipment having a total connected load of not less than 5 kilowatts, excluding
bathroom heaters.
CHARACTER OF SERVICE: The voltage and characteristics of equipment applied
shall meet requirements of the supplying utility.
MINIMUM: $5.10 per month.
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
ELECTRIC HEATING SERVICE
TARIFF NUMBER 1503:8
CANCELLING 1503.7
APPLICABLE: To residential and commercial customers for water heating and/or
space heating service, including resistance heating, radiant heating and
heat pumps, when all heating service is supplied at one point of delivery and
measured through one kilowatt hour meter, which meter must be separate from
the meter which measures the energy for lighting and general use.
TERRITORY: Lubbock, Texas
WATER HEATING RATE:
All kwh used per month @ 1.15e, per kwh
SPACE HEATING RATE:
Winter Months: All kwh used per month @ 1.15C per kwh
Summer Months: All kwh used per month shall be combined and billed under the
applicable residential or.commercial rate, except that the first 500 kwh used
per month through the heating meter will be billed @ 1.15c per kwh when cus-
tomer has an electric water heater installed and in use.
FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT: The charge per kilowatt hour of the above rate shall be
adjusted by a fuel cost factor per kilowatt hour calculated in accordance
with Tariff No. 1900, Fuel Cost Recovery.
TERMS OF PAYMENT: Net in 15 days after mailing date; 5% added to bill after
15 days.
WINTER MONTHS: The billing months of November to April, inclusive.
SUMMER MONTHS: The billing months of May to October, inclusive.
CONDITIONS AND REGULATIONS: Water heating equipment served on this rate shall
be of insulated storage type bearing the approval of the Underwriter's Lab-
oratories, Inc., and shall have a demand of not greater than 5.5 kilowatts,
individual capacity. Space heating equipment and the installation of the
equipment shall be subject to the approval of the supplying utility. To be
eligible for the 1.15 cent space heating rate, a customer must have permanent-
ly installed and in regular use space heating equipment having a total con-
nected load of not less than 5 kilowatts.
(Continued)
App►ov*d
CHARACTER OF SERVICE: The voltage and characteristics of equipment applied shall
meet requirements of the supplying utility.
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
FUEL COST RECOVERY
TARIFF NUMBER 1900
CANCELLING
APPLICABLE: To all retail customers served in Lubbock.
TERRITORY: Lubbock, Texas.
COMPUTATION FORMULA: The fuel cost factor shall be computed according to
the following formula:
-C
Fuel Cost Factor ($/KWH) = Fm Sm
Fm - Fuel Cost Estimated for Current Month in Dollars.
F = Total Cost of fossil fuel consumed in Lubbock Power & Light's
(LP&L's) generating plants plus the actual identifiable fossil
fuel cost associated with firm energy purchased by LP&L plus the
net energy cost of energy purchased by LP&L on an economic dis-
patch basis or emergency or scheduled outage.
Sm = KWH sales of Lubbock Power & Light estimated for current month.
Where for any reason billing system cannot be coordinated with
fuel cost for the billing period, sales may be equated to the sum
of (1) net generation, plus (2) purchased, less (3) total system
losses.
C Correction factor which shall be calculated as follows
C = e - a
e Actual fuel cost billed by LP&L in the second preceding month in
dollars.
a = Actual cost incurred by LP&L in the second preceding month in
dollars.
The fuel cost factor may be further modified to allow recovery of gross
receipts and other similar revenue based tax charges occasioned by the fuel
factor revenues.
The fuel cost factor shall apply to all billings during the calendar month
of the "Fm" estimate. d
Approved
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
TARIFF NUMBER 2006.11
CANCELLING 2006.10
APPLICABLE: To power service for a well used for irrigation of crop and/or
pasture land. Service to be furnished under contract. Not applicable to
wells used for domestic house service.
TERRITORY: Lubbock, Texas
CHARACTER OF SERVICE: Service shall be 240 volt single phase or 240 volt
three phase unless otherwise specified.
RATE: Winter Months - All kwh per month at 1.8q, per kwh. Winter months in-
clude from regular meter readings made in October to meter readings
made in May.
Summer Months - All kwh per month at 3.18C per kwh. Summer months in-
clude from regular meter readings made in May to regular meter readings
made in October.
FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT: The charge per kilowatt hour of the above rate shall be
adjusted by a fuel cost factor per kilowatt hour calculated in accordance with
Tariff No. 1900, Fuel Cost Recovery.
TERMS OF PAYMENT: Net in 15 days after mailing date; 5% added to bill after
15 days.
CONDITIONS: Service will be supplied through a circuit to which no equip-
ment except the irrigation well motor will be connected.
MINIMUM: $24.00 per connected H.P. (name plate rating) per year beginning in
January.
Approved
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
COMMERCIAL LIGHTING SERVICE
TARIFF NUMBER 3008.11
CANCELLING 3008.10 -
APPLICABLE: To all commercial places of business, including stores, shops,
factories, warehouses, hotels, lodges, churches, apartment houses on one
meter, garages and filling stations.
TERRITORY: Lubbock, Texas
RATE: All energy used shall be billed in accordance with the following rate:
Service Availability Charge $10.00 per month
First 1,000 kwh used per month @ 3.70,,, per kwh
Next 4,000 kwh used per month @ 2.91C per kwh
Next 15,000 kwh used per month @ 2.010 per kwh
Additional kwh used per month @ 1.21c per kwh
DISCOUNT: Where primary metering is used, 10% will be deducted on the above
base rate portion of all bills except minimum monthly bills, provided that
primary metered load is greater than secondary metered load. The Fuel Cost
Adjustment portion of a bill is not subject to the 10% discount.
FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT: The charge per kilowatt hour of the above rate shall be
adjusted by a fuel cost factor per kilowatt hour calculated in accordance with
Tariff No. 1900, Fuel Cost Recovery.
TERMS OF PAYMENT: Net in 15 days after mailing date; 5% added to bill after
15 days.
CHARACTER OF SERVICE: If metered on secondary side of distribution trans-
formers, lighting service may be either 120/240 volt, 3 wire single phase,
or 120 volt, 2 wire single phase. If polyphase service is required, it
shall be 3 phase, 240 volts unless otherwise specified. Where primary metering
is used, service supplied will be the primary voltage serving the area, single
or polyphase, as the case may require.
MINIMUM: $10.00 per month.
Approved
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
GUARD LIGHT SERVICE
TARIFF NUMBER 5104.3
CANCELLING 5104.2
APPLICABLE: Under contract to all night outdoor lighting service where facil-
ities of adequate capacity and suitable voltage are adjacent to the premises
to be served.
TERRITORY: Inside corporate limits of Lubbock, Texas
RATE: (1) Each 7,000 lumen mercury vapor, wood pole, overhead bracket
type light for $4.00 per month, plus FCA for applicable month
based on 68 KWH usage.
(2) Each 12,000 lumen high pressure sodium, wood pole, overhead
bracket type light for $6.00 per month, plus FCA for applicable
month based on 60 KWH usage.
One span of secondary line not exceeding 150 feet in length may be furnished
under the above rate. Service requiring more than one span of secondary line
per light will be furnished by the Company, provided the customer pays a rental
charge of $1.00 per month for each additional span not exceeding 150 feet in
length.
FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT: A 7,000 lumen mercury vapor lamp uses 68 kwh per month,
and a 12,000 lumen high pressure sodium lamp uses 60 kwh per month.
The charge per kilowatt hour of the above rate shall be adjusted by a fuel
cost factor per kilowatt hour calculated in accordance with Tariff No. 1900,
Fuel Cost Recovery.
TERMS OF PAYMENT: Net in 15 days after mailing date; 5% added to bill after
15 days.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE: The Company will construct, operate and maintain on
the customer's premises, the required number of lights, mounted on a metal
bracket, photo -electrically controlled, installed on Company's service pole,
a separate 30 foot pole, or installed on any suitable mounting device
belonging to the customer, and having secondary line span not exceeding 150
feet in length. Lights will not be installed on any mounting device which
in the opinion of the Company is unsafe or not suitable for this purpose.
(Continued)
Approved
(Continued)
CHARACTER OF SERVICE: A-C; 60 cycles; single phase; 120 volts.
NO ADDITIONAL CUSTOMERS ARE TO BE SERVED UNDER THIS TARIFF.
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
TARIFF NUMBER
CANCELLING
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
SERVICE AGREEMENT SUMMARY
TARIFF NUMBER
CANCELLING
AGREEMENT WITH: Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
POINT OF SERVICE: Lubbock, Texas
RATE: All energy used shall be billed in accordance with the following rate:
Service Availability Charge; $10.00 per month.
First 1,000 kwh used per month at 3.70q% per kwh
Next 4,000 kwh used per month at 2.91t,% per kwh
Next 15,000 kwh used per month at 2.01c, per kwh
Additional kwh used per month at 1.21� per kwh
Kwh consumption shall be determined by adding the consumption as recorded
by each separate meter.
DISCOUNT: Where primary metering is used, 10% will be deducted on the above
base rate portion of all bills except minimum monthly bills, provided that
primary metered load is greater than secondary metered load. The Fuel Cost
Adjustment portion of a bill is not subject to the 10% discount.
FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT: The charge per kilowatt hour of the above rate shall be
adjusted by a fuel cost factor per kilowatt hour calculated in accordance with
Tariff No. 1900, Fuel Cost Recovery.
TERMS OF PAYMENT: Net in 15 days after mailing date; 5% added to bill after
15 days.
CHARACTER OF SERVICE: If metered on secondary side of distribution trans—
formers, lighting service may be either 120/240 volt, 3 wire single phase or
120 volt, 2 wire single phase. If polyphase service is required, it shall
be 3 phase, 240 volts, unless otherwise specified. Where primary metering
is used, service supplied will be the primary voltage serving the area, single
or polyphase, as the case may require.
MINIMUM: $10.00 per month.
ISSUED: March 1, 1983.
CANCELING: 356 issued August 1, 1980.
Approved
Southwestern PUBLIC SERVICE Company
SERVICE DEPOSIT RULE
APPLICABLE: To all Residential, Commercial and Industrial customers for electric.
service.
TERRITORY: Lubbock, Texas
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS:
1. Each Commercial & Industrial customer upon application for service,
shall provide the Company with a deposit of one -sixth (1/6) of the
customers estimated annual billing, except, a commercial or industrial
applicant shall not be required to pay a deposit if such applicant has
been a customer of any utility (including a municipal utility) for the
same kind of service within the last two years and is not delinquent in
payment of any such utility service account and during the last twelve
(12) consecutive months of service did not have more than one occasion
in which a bill for such utility service was paid after becoming delin-
quent and never had service disconnected for nonpayment.
2. Each residential customer, upon application for service, shall provide
the Company with a deposit of fifty ($50.00) dollars, except a residen-
tial applicant shall not be required to pay a deposit if any of the
following conditions can be met by said applicant for service. -
(a) If the resident applicant has been a customer of any utility for
the same kind of service within the last two years and is not
delinquent in payment of any such utility service account and
during the last twelve (12) consecutive months of service did not
have more than one occasion in which a bill for such utility
service was paid after becoming delinquent and never had service
disconnected for nonpayment; or
(b) If the residential applicant furnishes i� writing a satisfactory
guarantee to secure payment of bills for the service required; or
(c) If the residential applicant demonstrates a satisfactory credit
rating by appropriate means, including, but not limited to, the
production of generally acceptable credit cards, letters of credit
reference, the names of credit references which may be quickly and
inexpensively contacted by the utility, or ownership of substantial
equity.
(d) All applicants for permanent residential service who are sixty-five
(65) years of age or older will be considered as having established
credit if such applicant does not have an outstanding account
balance with the Company, or another utility for the same utility
service which accrued within the last two years. No cash deposit
shall be required of such applicant under these conditions.
Approved
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The Company shall pay interest on such deposit
required on an annual rate of six (6%) percent in accordance with the following
terms and conditions
(a) If a deposit is refunded within 30 days of its receipt no interest
payment shall be required.
(b) If a deposit is retained for 30 days or longer, interest shall be
prorated at the annual rate above mentioned and paid retroactive
to the date of deposit.
(c) When the customer has paid bills for service for twelve (12)
consecutive residential billings or for twenty-four (24) consecu-
tive commercial or industrial billings without having service
disconnected for nonpayment :of charges for such service and
without having more than two occasions in which a bill was delin-
quent and when the customer is not delinquent in the payment of
the current bill, the Company shall promptly and automatically
refund the deposit plus accrued interest to the customer in the
form of cash or (at the option of the Company) a credit to the
customers bill. If a customer does not meet the criteria above
set forth for a refund of deposit plus accrued interest the
Company shall retain said deposit under the same terms as hereto-
fore set forth until such time as the customer can meet the
criteria for refund.
(d) A deposit shall cease to draw interest on the date it is returned
or credited tocustomersaccount.
(e) The Company shall keep records to show:
(1) The name and address of each depositor
(2) The amount and date of the deposit
(3) Each transaction concerning the deposit
(f) The Company shall issue a receipt of deposit to each applicant
from whom a deposit is received, and shall provide means whereby a
depositor may establish a claim for refund (in all cases where the
provisions of subparagraph (c) are met) if the receipt is lost.
(g) Any retained deposit which has not previously been refunded to the
customer or credited to the customers account in accordance with
the provisions of subparagraph (c) above shall be credited to a
customers final bill for service.