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Public utilities

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC Requests Interim Update of Wholesale Transmission Rates

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) has issued a regulatory document requesting an update to wholesale transmission rates by CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC. The update is in response to changes in the Uniform System of Accounts (USoA) for electric utilities, as mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in FERC Order No. 898. This order required the creation of new accounts for computer hardware, software, and telecommunication equipment that support transmission and distribution functions. The new accounts are 351.1, 351.2, and 351.3, and the amounts on the specified lines on TCOS Schedule B-1 represent the reclassification of assets from general plant account FERC 397 to these new accounts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The update is a response to changes in the Uniform System of Accounts (USoA) for electric utilities, as mandated by FERC Order No. 898.
  • The changes require the creation of new accounts for computer hardware, software, and telecommunication equipment that support transmission and distribution functions.
  • The new accounts are 351.1, 351.2, and 351.3, and the assets previously reflected in general plant sub-accounts 39701 and 39702 have been reclassified to these new accounts.
  • The reclassification includes significant plant amounts, including assets on lines 3, 4, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of interim TCOS Schedule B-1.
  • The assets reclassified are for computer hardware, software, and telecommunication equipment that support the specific functions of transmission and distribution.
  • The effective date of FERC Order No. 898 is January 1, 2025.

Statistics:

  • 351 new accounts were created for computer hardware, software, and telecommunication equipment that support transmission and distribution functions.
  • 59710 assets were previously reflected in general plant sub-accounts 39701 and 39702, and have been reclassified to the new accounts.
  • 19925 assets were reclassified from general plant account FERC 397 to the new accounts in FERC 351.
  • The reclassification includes significant plant amounts, including assets on lines 3, 4, 22, 23, 24, and 25 of interim TCOS Schedule B-1.

Sources:

  • "Uniform System of Accounts for Electric Utilities and Transmission Providers", Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC Order No. 898, August 2025.
  • Public Utility Commission of Texas, Application of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC for Interim Update of Wholesale Transmission Rates, PUC Docket No. 58516, August 2025.

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