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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-1998 - Ordinance - 02/11/1993ORDINANCE NO. 1998 AN ORDINANCE SUSPENDING THE NEW RATE SCHEDULE PROPOSED BY LONE STAR GAS AND DIRECTING THE HIRING OF AN EXPERT TO INVESTIGATE THE RATE FILING. WHEREAS, on January 20, 1993, Lone Star Gas filed a Statement of Intent for a change in rate effective February 24, 1993, with the City of College Station, Texas, which has original jurisdiction; WHEREAS, pursuant to V.T.C.S. Article 1446e the City Council may at any time within thirty (30) days of the effective date have a hearing to determine the appropriateness of the increase; WHEREAS, if the City Council does not make a final determination concerning any schedule of rates prior to the expiration of the period or periods of suspension the schedule is considered to have been approved by the City; WHEREAS, an investigation of the rate proposal must be made in light of the impact of FERC Order 636 on gas rates during the summer of 1992 and in light of the removal of Texas A&M Univer- sity from the local system of Lone Star Gas; WHEREAS, the City Council may suspend the proposed rate schedule for up to ninety (90) days from the effective date, may direct the hiring of an expert to investigate the rate filing within the ninety (90) day period, and may fix temporary rates during the hearing; WHEREAS, pursuant to V.T.C.S. Article 1446e Sec. 3.03, the util- ity shall reimburse the City for the reasonable cost of the ser- vices of rate consultants, accountants, auditors, attorneys and engineers; WHEREAS, the City Council may choose before the end of the ninety (90) day period to have a public hearing to hear further evidence regarding the proposed rate schedule; WHEREAS, notice has been provided to Lone Star Gas, the City of Bryan, and Brazos County of this hearing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION THAT: 1. The City Council suspends the Lone Star Gas proposed rate schedule for ninety (90) days from February 24, 1993. Ordinance No. 1998 Page 2 2. The City Council authorizes the hiring of experts, whether rate consultants, accountants, auditors, attorneys and engineers, to investigate the rate filing within the ninety (90) day period. 3. The experts shall examine the impact of FERC Order 636 on gas rates during the summer of 1992, the effect of the removal of Texas A&M University from the local system of Lone Star Gas, the Statement of Intent, the proposed revisions of tariffs and schedules, the statement specifying in detail each proposed in- crease, the effect the proposed increase is expected to have on the revenues of the company, the classes and numbers of utility customers affected, and other information required by the regula- tory authority~s rules and regulations. Such experts shall re- port their findings to the City Council. 4. Pursuant to V.T.C.S. Article 1446e Sec. 3.03, Lone Star Gas shall reimburse the City for the reasonable cost of the ser- vices of such experts. 5. The City Council may choose before the end of the ninety (90) day period to have a public hearing to hear further evidence and take action regarding the proposed rate schedule. 6. A copy of this order shall be sent to Lone Star Gas. II. This Ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage in accordance with the City Charter of the city of College Station. PASSED, ADOPTED, and APPROVED this 11th day of February, 1993. EST: thy~ C~fty Secre' r APPROVED: