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PUC Assesses $334,000 in Penalties for Electric Rule Violations
In a press release the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) assessed $334,000 in penalties for violations of electric rules at its open meeting this week.
The Commission approved settlement agreements in three separate dockets as discussed below:
Docket No. 58674 – A settlement agreement with a power generation company for violations related to its failure to comply with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) dispatch instructions (16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 25.503(f)(2) and 16 TAC § 25.503(f)(8)). The company agreed to pay a $300,000 administrative penalty and take corrective action to prevent future violations. (Settlement Agreement And Report To The Commission Regarding Luminant Energy Company, Llc’s Violations Of 16 TAC 25.503 And ERCOT Nodal Protocols 6.4.6 AND 6.5.7.9)
Docket No. 58944 – A settlement agreement with a solar power generation company for violations related to its failure to file an Emergency Operations Plan with the PUCT (16 TAC § 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3)). The company agreed to pay a $20,000 administrative penalty. (Settlement Agreement And Report To Commission Regarding TPE Whitney Solar, LLC’s Violations Of 16 Texas Administrative Code §§ 25.53(C)(1) And (C)(3), Related To Filing Emergency Operations Plans And Annual EOP Updates Or Affidavits)
Docket No. 58979 – A settlement agreement with an electric utility for violations related to reliability and continuity of service rules during reporting year 2023 (Public Utility Regulatory Act § 38.005 and 16 TAC § 25.52). The utility agreed to pay a $14,000 administrative penalty.
Administrative penalty payments are made to the PUCT and are ultimately deposited into the state’s general fund. Typically, payments must be made within 30 days of the signed final order.
