Entergy Texas praises bill designed to enable faster investment recovery
Entergy Texas, Inc. recently praised legislation that it said would help it to provide value for key stakeholders.
HB 1397 enables the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to approve a rider that aims to enable utilities that are not a part of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to recover electric generation investments more quickly. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) and Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville)
“I would like to thank Governor Abbott, Chairman Phelan, Senator Nichols, and the Legislature for their commitment to ensuring that Texas remains economically competitive,” Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas, said. “Entergy Texas is committed to making the investments today that will enable future growth. The ability, with approval from the Public Utility Commission, to begin recovering these investments in a more timely manner will help us as we create value for our four key stakeholders – customers, employees, communities, and owners.”
The reforms, Entergy Texas said, builds on steps taken by the Legislature in previous sessions to update the regulatory environment for non-ERCOT utilities. The PUC also can approve a Transmission Cost Recovery Factor and a Distribution Cost Recovery Factor, which the company said can also help enable faster recovery of capital investments by utilities.
Entergy Texas highlighted investments it is making as part of its Bright Future plan for Southeast Texas, including the 993-megawatt (MW) Montgomery County Power Station, which is expected to enter service in 2021, and its recent request for proposals for up to 200 MW of solar photovoltaic resources.
The company also noted its completion of the China-Stowell transmission line and Phase 1 of the Western Region Economic Project, a rebuild of the Newton Bulk to Leach line, both of which entered service in May 2019. Additionally, the company highlighted the deployment of its advanced meter system.
