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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-3365 - Ordinance - 08/25/2011 ORDINANCE NO. 2011-3365 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, ("CITY") APPROVING A NEGOTIATED RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE ATMOS CITIES STEERING COMMITTEE ("ACSC" OR "STEERING COMMITTEE") AND ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION ("ATMOS MID-TEX" OR "COMPANY") REGARDING THE COMPANY'S FOURTH ANNUAL RATE REVIEW MECHANISM ("RRM") FILING IN ALL CITIES EXERCISING ORIGINAL JURISDICTION; DECLARING EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE; ADOPTING TARIFFS THAT REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT AND FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE ATTACHED TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE; REQUIRING THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE CITIES' REASONABLE RATEMAKING EXPENSES; REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS OR ORDINANCES; DETERMINING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT; ADOPTING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS ORDINANCE TO THE COMPANY AND THE. STEERING COMMITTEE'S LEGAL COUNSEL. WHEREAS, the City of College Station, Texas ("City") is a gas utility customer of Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division ("Atmos Mid-Tex" or " Company"), and a regulatory authority with an interest in the rates and charges of Atmos Mid-Tex; and WHEREAS, the City is a member of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee ("ACSC" or "Steering Committee"), a coalition of approximately 154 similarly situated cities served by Atmos Mid-Tex that have joined together to facilitate the review of and response to natural gas issues affecting rates charged in the Atmos Mid-Tex service area (such participating cities are referred to herein as "ACSC Cities"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the agreement settling the Company's 2007 Statement of Intent to increase rates, ACSC Cities and the Company worked collaboratively to develop a Rate Review Mechanism ("RRM") tariff that allows for an expedited rate review process controlled in a three-year experiment by ACSC Cities as a substitute to the current GRIP process instituted by the Legislature; and WHEREAS, the City took action in 2008 to approve a Settlement Agreement with Atmos Mid- Tex resolving the Company's 2007 rate case and authorizing the RRM Tariff; and WHEREAS, the 2008 Settlement Agreement contemplates reimbursement of ACSC Cities' reasonable expenses associated with RRM applications; and WHEREAS, the Steering Committee and Atmos Mid-Tex agreed to extend the RRM process in reaching a settlement in 2010 on the third RRM filing; and Ordinance No. 2011-3365 WHEREAS, on or about April 1, 2011, the Company filed with the city its fourth annual RRM filing, requesting to increase natural gas base rates by $15.7 million; and WHEREAS, ACSC coordinated its review of Atmos Mid-Tex's RRM filing by designating a Settlement Committee made up of ACSC representatives, assisted by ACSC attorneys and consultants, to resolve issues identified by ACSC in the Company's RRM filing; and WHEREAS, independent analysis by ACSC's rate expert concluded that Atmos Mid-Tex is unable to justify an increase over current rates except for undisputed costs of $6.6 million to cover the steel service line replacement program initiated in 2010; and WHEREAS, the ACSC Settlement Committee, as well as ACSC lawyers and consultants, recommend that ACSC Cities approve the attached rate tariffs ("Attachment All to this Ordinance), which will increase the Company's revenue requirement by $6.6 million to extend current recovery of incremental direct costs of the steel service line replacement program authorized by ACSC Cities in ordinances passed in 2010; and WHEREAS, the attached tariffs implementing new rates are consistent with the negotiated resolution reached by ACSC Cities and are just, reasonable, and in the public interest. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: Section 1. That the findings set forth in this Ordinance are hereby in all things approved. Section 2. That the City Council finds the existing rates for natural gas service provided by Atmos Mid-Tex are unreasonable and new tariffs which are attached hereto and incorporated herein as Attachment A, are just and reasonable and are hereby adopted. Section 3. That Atmos Mid-Tex shall reimburse the reasonable ratemaking expenses of the ACSC Cities in processing the Company's rate application. Section 4. That to the extent any resolution or ordinance previously adopted by the Council is inconsistent with this Ordinance, it is hereby repealed. Section 5. That the meeting at which this Ordinance was approved was in all things conducted in strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 6. That if any one or more sections or clauses of this Ordinance is adjudged to be unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining provisions of this Ordinance and the remaining provisions of the Ordinance shall be interpreted as if the offending section or clause never existed. Section 7. That this Ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage with rates authorized by attached Tariffs to be effective for bills rendered on or after September 1, 2011. Ordinance No. 2011-3365 Section 8. That a copy of this Ordinance shall be sent to Atmos Mid-Tex, care of David Park, Vice President Rates and Regulatory Affairs, at Atmos Energy Corporation, 5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1862, Dallas, Texas 75240, and to Geoffrey Gay, General Counsel to ACSC, at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., P.O. Box 1725, Austin, Texas 78767-1725. PASSED AND APPROVED this 25th day of August , 2011. - 77~~~ ti~K~ - Mayor ATTEST; 'City Secretar APPROVED: d . City Attorney ATTACHMENT A MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: R - RESIDENTIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: All Cities except the City of Dallas EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 9/1/2011 Application Applicable to Residential Customers for all natural gas provided at one Point of Delivery and measured through one meter. Type of Service Where service of the type desired by Customer is not already available at the Point of Delivery, additional charges and special contract arrangements between Company and Customer may be required prior to service being furnished. Monthly Rate Customer's monthly bill will be calculated by adding the following Customer and Mcf charges to the amounts due under the riders listed below: Charge Amount Customer Charge per Bill $ 7.50 per month Commodity Charge - All Mcf $ 2.5116 per Mcf Gas Cost Recovery: Plus an amount for gas costs and upstream transportation costs calculated in accordance with Part (a) and Part (b), respectively, of Rider GCR. Weather Normalization Adjustment: Plus or Minus an amount for weather normalization calculated in accordance with Rider WNA. Franchise Fee Adjustment: Plus an amount for franchise fees calculated in accordance with Rider FF. Rider FF is only applicable to customers inside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality. Tax Adjustment: Plus an amount for tax calculated in accordance with Rider TAX. Surcharges: Plus an amount for surcharges calculated in accordance with the applicable rider(s). Agreement An Agreement for Gas Service may be required. Notice Service hereunder and the rates for services provided are subject to the orders of regulatory bodies having jurisdiction and to the Company's Tariff for Gas Service. ATTACHMENT A MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: C - COMMERCIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: All Cities except the City of Dallas EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 9/1/2011 Application Applicable to Commercial Customers for all natural gas provided at one Point of Delivery and measured through one meter and to Industrial Customers with an average annual usage of less than 3,000 Mcf. Type of Service Where service of the type desired by Customer is not already available at the Point of Delivery, additional charges and special contract arrangements between Company and Customer may be required prior to service being furnished. Monthly Rate Customer's monthly bill will be calculated by adding the following Customer and Mcf charges to the amounts due under the riders listed below: Charge Amount Customer Charge per Bill $ 16.75 per month Commodity Charge - All Mcf $ 1.0217 per Mcf Gas Cost Recovery: Plus an amount for gas costs and upstream transportation costs calculated in accordance with Part (a) and Part (b), respectively, of Rider GCR. Weather Normalization Adjustment: Plus or Minus an amount for weather normalization calculated in accordance with Rider WNA. Franchise Fee Adjustment: Plus an amount for franchise fees calculated in accordance with Rider FF. Rider FF is only applicable to customers inside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality. Tax Adjustment: Plus an amount for tax calculated in accordance with Rider TAX. Surcharges: Plus an amount for surcharges calculated in accordance with the applicable rider(s). Agreement An Agreement for Gas Service may be required. Notice Service hereunder and the rates for services provided are subject to the orders of regulatory bodies having jurisdiction and to the Company's Tariff for Gas Service. ATTACHMENT A MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: I - INDUSTRIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: All Cities except the City of Dallas EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 9/1/2011 Application Applicable to Industrial Customers with a maximum daily usage (MDU) of less than 3,500 MMBtu per day for all natural gas provided at one Point of Delivery and measured through one meter. Service for Industrial Customers with an MDU equal to or greater than 3,500 MMBtu per day will be provided at Company's sole option and will require special contract arrangements between Company and Customer. Type of Service Where service of the type desired by Customer is not already available at the Point of Delivery, additional charges and special contract arrangements between Company and Customer may be required prior to service being furnished. Monthly Rate Customer's monthly bill will be calculated by adding the following Customer and MMBtu charges to the amounts due under the riders listed below: Charge Amount Customer Charge per Meter $ 450.00 per month First 0 MMBtu to 1,500 MMBtu $ 0.2750 per MMBtu Next 3,500 MMBtu $ 0.2015 per MMBtu All MMBtu over 5,000 MMBtu $ 0.0433 per MMBtu Gas Cost Recovery: Plus an amount for gas costs and upstream transportation costs calculated in accordance with Part (a) and Part (b), respectively, of Rider GCR. Franchise Fee Adjustment: Plus an amount for franchise fees calculated in accordance with Rider FF. Rider FF is only applicable to customers inside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality. Tax Adjustment: Plus an amount for tax calculated in accordance with Rider TAX. Surcharges: Plus an amount for surcharges calculated in accordance with the applicable rider(s). Curtailment Overpull Fee Upon notification by Company of an event of curtailment or interruption of Customer's deliveries, Customer will, for each MMBtu delivered in excess of the stated level of curtailment or interruption, pay Company 200% of the midpoint price for the Katy point listed in Platts Gas Daily published for the applicable Gas Day in the table entitled "Daily Price Survey." ATTACHMENT A MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: I - INDUSTRIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: All Cities except the City of Dallas EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 91112011 Replacement Index In the event the "midpoint" or "common" price for the Katy point listed in Platfs Gas Daily in the table entitled "Daily Price Survey" is no longer published, Company will calculate the applicable imbalance fees utilizing a daily price index recognized as authoritative by the natural gas industry and most closely approximating the applicable index. Agreement An Agreement for Gas Service may be required. Notice Service hereunder and the rates for services provided are subject to the orders of regulatory bodies having jurisdiction and to the Company's Tariff for Gas Service. Special Conditions In order to receive service under Rate I, Customer must have the type of meter required by Company. Customer must pay Company all costs associated with the acquisition and installation of the meter. ATTACHMENT A MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: T - TRANSPORTATION APPLICABLE TO: All Cities except the City of Dallas EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 9/112011 Application Applicable, in the event that Company has entered into a Transportation Agreement, to a customer directly connected to the Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division Distribution System (Customer) for the transportation of all natural gas supplied by Customer or Customer's agent at one Point of Delivery for use in Customer's facility. Type of Service Where service of the type desired by Customer is not already available at the Point of Delivery, additional charges and special contract arrangements between Company and Customer may be required prior to service being furnished. Monthly Rate Customer's bill will be calculated by adding the following Customer and MMBtu charges to the amounts and quantities due under the riders listed below: Charge Amount Customer Charge per Meter $ 450.00 per month First 0 MMBtu to 1,500 MMBtu $ 0.2750 per MMBtu Next 3,500 MMBtu $ 0.2015 per MMBtu All MMBtu over 5,000 MMBtu $ 0.0433 per MMBtu Upstream Transportation Cost Recovery: Plus an amount for upstream transportation costs in accordance with Part (b) of Rider GCR. Retention Adjustment: Plus a quantity of gas as calculated in accordance with Rider RA. Franchise Fee Adjustment: Plus an amount for franchise fees calculated in accordance with Rider FF. Rider FF is only applicable to customers inside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality. Tax Adjustment: Plus an amount for tax calculated in accordance with Rider TAX. Surcharges: Plus an amount for surcharges calculated in accordance with the applicable rider(s). Imbalance Fees All fees charged to Customer under this Rate Schedule will be charged based on the quantities determined under the applicable Transportation Agreement and quantities will not be aggregated for any Customer with multiple Transportation Agreements for the purposes of such fees. ATTACHMENT A MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: T - TRANSPORTATION APPLICABLE TO: All Cities except the City of Dallas EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 9/112011 Monthly Imbalance Fees Customer shall pay Company the greater of (i) $0.10 per MMBtu, or (ii) 150% of the difference per MMBtu between the highest and lowest "midpoint" price for the Katy point listed in Platts Gas Daily in the table entitled "Daily Price Survey" during such month, for the MMBtu of Customer's monthly Cumulative Imbalance, as defined in the applicable Transportation Agreement, at the end of each month that exceeds 10% of Customer's receipt quantities for the month. Curtailment Overpull Fee Upon notification by Company of an event of curtailment or interruption of Customer's deliveries, Customer will, for each MMBtu delivered in excess of the stated level of curtailment or interruption, pay Company 200% of the midpoint price for the Katy point listed in Platts Gas Daily published for the applicable Gas Day in the table entitled "Daily Price Survey." Replacement Index In the event the "midpoint" or "common" price for the Katy point listed in Platts Gas Daily in the table entitled "Daily Price Survey" is no longer published, Company will calculate the applicable imbalance fees utilizing a daily price index recognized as authoritative by the natural gas industry and most closely approximating the applicable index. Agreement A transportation agreement is required. Notice Service hereunder and the rates for services provided are subject to the orders of regulatory bodies having jurisdiction and to the Company's Tariff for Gas Service. Special Conditions In order to receive service under Rate T, customer must have the type of meter required by Company. Customer must pay Company all costs associated with the acquisition and installation of the meter.