09-14-95-R-9-B - Resolution - 09/14/1995q so[ution
NO. 9-14-95-R-9-B
A RESOLUTION URGING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE TO PASS A
RESOLUTION ASKING THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO REQUIRE THAT
INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC AND TELEPHONE UTILITY COMPANIES
AND COOPERATIVES BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF
CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FROM THE PUBLIC UTILITY
COMMISSION AND A VALID LOCAL FRANCHISE; AUTHORIZING CITIES
TO CHANGE ELECTRIC AND TELEPHONE UTILITY PROVIDERS WHEN
A VALID FRANCHISE EXPIRES; AND PROVIDING THAT THE PURCHASE
OF AN ELECT~C OR TELEPHONE UTILITY SYSTEM BE AT A FAIR AND
REASONABLE PRICE.
WHEREAS, cities in Texas are free to choose the suppliers of their water,
sewer, solid waste and cable television services; and
WHEREAS, before the Public Utility Commission was created, cities had
the right to determine their electric and telephone service providers and
could change electric and telephone providers when the franchise
expired; and
WHEREAS, the Public Utility Regulatory Act allows cities to refuse access
to streets and alleys to electric and telephone companies but does not
prescribe the procedures for implementing this refusal; and
WHEREAS, the Public Utility Regulatory Act does not prescribe the
procedures for cities to take when an existing electric or telephone
franchise expires and the city wants to change electric and/or telephone
providers;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that the City
of College Station proposes to the Texas Municipal League that TML pass
a resolution asking the Texas Legislature to require investor-owned
electric and telephone utility and cooperatives to possess a Certificate of
Convenience and Necessity from the Public Utility Commission and a
valid local franchise; providing that cities may change electric and
telephone utility providers when the franchise expires; and providing that
the purchase of an electric or telephone utility system be at a fair and
reasonable price.
PASSED AND APPROVED this ~ ~ day of September, 1995.
APPROVED:
Conn:e Hooks, City Secretary