As Predicted

Here is an email from Shelby Ruff the Co-Founder of Off Grid Hardware:

"City Council Voted NO [unanimously] against El Paso Electric’s proposed rate increases & attacks on solar homeowners.  A letter will be sent to the Utility CEO Today to make it official.

"Please continue to support your local non-profits that are paying for the lawyers to intervene on behalf of the citizens of El Paso so we can have a voice. Eco El Paso (www.EcoElPaso.org) is a major voice in this case. EPEC may appeal the ruling to the PUC of Texas so we’re not done yet.  We need your support at Eco El Paso and every dollar and volunteer matters a great deal!

"We will keep you posted as the case continues with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and our lawyer will continue to battle on our behalf." 

Senator Rodríguez issued the following statement regarding El Paso City Council's unanimous vote to oppose El Paso Electric Company's proposed rate increases:


"The City Council did the right thing in deciding to contest El Paso Electric's rate proposal, which would raise rates for all residential customers by about 10 percent, and at least double that for customers with rooftop solar. This is particularly troubling because residential solar installation is rapidly growing in El Paso, providing relief to the grid and well-paying building trades jobs for community members. I look forward to the City vigorously advocating for all El Paso Electric customers as the rate case progresses."

Count on EPEC appealing the case to the PUCT. That has been there plan all along.

City Council Will Say No to EPEC Tomorrow

El Paso Electric and the Coming of the Solar Industry.
Image source: thetimes.co.uk

Item 20.1 on tomorrow's City Council agenda calls for discussion and action on El Paso Electric Company's rate hike proposals. Council will overwhelmingly vote it down. EPEC expects Council's denial and has expected it all along. I quoted Jefferies the other day saying that EPEC would take the "long road to Austin." (They are depending on the PUCT to side with them.) That is why it is so important to donate to Eco El Paso so that they can continue to be an intervenor throughout the process.

Understand, it will be good for a large number of people to show up to Council tomorrow in opposition to the rate hike and the attempt to destroy small businesses and take away jobs from the rooftop solar industry. You can get all the facts about the case and about our energy future at Eco El Paso.

Just remember, EPEC is in this fight for the long haul. No dinosaur goes down without a fight except against an asteroid and then he goes down for good.

EP Electric Petitions for Indefinite Suspension of Rate Hearings

The El Paso Electric Company filed a motion yesterday with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas for "an indefinite suspension of the procedural deadlines" in the proposed rate hikes for its customers in El Paso, TX. You can see the full petition here. If the petition is approved, hearings on the merits of the proposal would be suspended.