El Paso Electric : EPE Files Unopposed Settlement In Texas Rate Case

El Paso, Texas - On July 21, 2016, El Paso Electric Company (EPE) filed an unopposed settlement agreement (Unopposed Settlement) for EPE's rate case pending before the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).

If approved by the PUCT, the Unopposed Settlement would resolve EPE's rate case, including the revenue requirement for Four Corners Generating Station. The costs of serving residential customers with solar systems will be addressed in a future proceeding.

'While we did not anticipate some of the delays that occurred following the filing of the first proposed settlement in March, we are pleased to have been able to reach a resolution,' said Mary Kipp, El Paso Electric CEO. 'We are fortunate to live in a growing region. The Company set a new native peak of 1,892 MW on July 14, 2016, which surpassed last year's peak by more than five percent.'

The terms of the Unopposed Settlement include:

• an annual non-fuel base rate increase of $37 million, lower annual depreciation expense of approximately $8.5 million, a return on equity of 9.7% for AFUDC purposes, and including substantially all new plant in service in rate base, all as outlined in the original non-unanimous settlement
• an additional annual non-fuel base rate increase of $3.7 million related to Four Corners Generating Station costs*
• removing the separate treatment for residential customers with solar systems; and (iv) allowing EPE to recover most of the rate case expenses up to a date certain*

The Unopposed Settlement is subject to approval by the PUCT. The new rates will relate back to consumption on or after January 12, 2016.

EPE continues to meet the needs of its growing service territory with two generating units coming online in 2016. EPE anticipates filing new rate cases in Texas and New Mexico in early 2017.

Background

On August 10, 2015, EPE filed a request for an increase in non-fuel base revenues of approximately $71.5 million with the City of El Paso, other incorporated municipalities in its Texas service territory and the PUCT. When EPE filed its rebuttal testimony on January 15, 2016, it modified the requested increase to $63.3 million.

On March 29, 2016, EPE and other settling parties filed with the PUCT a Non-Unanimous Stipulation and Agreement and motion to approve interim rates (Non-Unanimous Settlement). Four parties to the rate case opposed the Non-Unanimous Settlement. Interim rates were approved by the PUCT effective April 1, 2016, subject to refund or surcharge. Subsequent to filing the Non-Unanimous Settlement, the case has been subject to numerous procedural matters, including a May 19, 2016 ruling by the PUCT that EPE's initial notice did not adequately contemplate the treatment of residential customers with solar systems contained in the Non-Unanimous Settlement.

About El Paso Electric

El Paso Electric is a regional electric utility providing generation, transmission and distribution service to approximately 400,000 retail and wholesale customers in a 10,000 square mile area of the Rio Grande valley in west Texas and southern New Mexico. El Paso Electric has a net dependable generating capability of 1,990 MW.

*New in the settlement filed July 21, 2016.