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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2477-10-2020 ORDINANCE NO. 24477-10-2020 ORDINANCE APPROVING A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE ATMOS CITIES STEERING COMMITTEE ("ACSC") AND ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION ("COMPANY") REGARDING THE COMPANY'S 2020 RATE REVIEW MECHANISM FILING; DECLARING EXISTING RATES TO BE UNREASONABLE; ADOPTING TARIFFS THAT REFLECT RATE ADJUSTMENTS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT; FINDING THE RATES TO BE SET BY THE ATTACHED SETTLEMENT TARIFFS TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; APPROVING AN ATTACHED EXHIBIT ESTABLISHING A BENCHMARK FOR PENSIONS AND RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS; APPROVING AN ATTACHED EXHIBIT REGARDING AMORTIZATION OF REGULATORY LIABILITY; REQUIRING THE COMPANY TO REIMBURSE ACSC'S REASONABLE RATEMAKING EXPENSES; 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 ACSC'S LEGAL COUNSEL. WHEREAS,the City of Fort Worth, Texas("City") is a gas utility customer of Company, and a regulatory authority with an interest in the rates and charges of the Company; and WHEREAS, the City is a member of the ACSC, a coalition of similarly-situated cities served by the Company ("ACSC Cities") that have joined together to facilitate the review of, and response to, natural gas issues affecting rates charged in the Company service area; and WHEREAS, ACSC and the Company worked collaboratively to develop a Rate Review Mechanism ("RRM") tariff that allows for an expedited rate review process by ACSC Cities as a substitute to the Gas Reliability Infrastructure Program ("GRIP") process instituted by the Legislature, and that will establish rates for the ACSC Cities based on the system-wide cost of serving the Company; and Ordinance No.24477-10-2020 Page 1 of 5 WHEREAS,on about March 31, 2020, the Company filed its 2020 RRM rate request with ACSC Cities based on a test year ending December 31, 2019; and WHEREAS, ACSC coordinated its review of the Company's 2020 RRM filing through its Executive Committee, assisted by ACSC's attorneys and consultants, to resolve issues identified in the Company's RRM filing; and WHEREAS, the Executive Committee, as well as ACSC's counsel and consultants, recommend that ACSC Cities approve an increase in base rates for the Company of$90 million applicable to ACSC Cities with an Effective Date of December 1, 2020; and WHEREAS, ACSC agrees that Company's plant-in-service is reasonable; and WHEREAS, with the exception of approved plant-in-service, ACSC is not foreclosed from future reasonableness evaluation of costs associated with incidents related to gas leaks; and WHEREAS, the two month delayed Effective Date from October 1 to December 1 will save ACSC ratepayers approximately $9 million off new rates imposed by the attached tariffs (Exhibit A), the impact on ratepayers should approximate the reasonable value of the rate filing found by the ACSC Consultants' Report, which was $81 million; and WHEREAS, the attached tariffs (Exhibit A) implementing new rates are consistent with the recommendation of the ACSC Executive Committee, are agreed to by the Company, and are just, reasonable, and in the public interest; and WHEREAS, the settlement agreement sets a new benchmark for pensions and retiree medical benefits (Exhibit B); and WHEREAS, the settlement agreement establishes an amortization schedule for regulatory liability (Exhibit Q; and Ordinance No.24477-10-2020 Page 2 of 5 WHEREAS, the RRM Tariff contemplates reimbursement of ACSC's reasonable expenses associated with RRM applications; NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the findings set forth in this Ordinance are hereby in all things approved. SECTION 2. That, without prejudice to future litigation of any issue identified by ACSC, the City Council finds that the settled amount of an increase in revenues of$90 million for ACSC Cities represents a comprehensive settlement of gas utility rate issues affecting the rates, operations, and services offered by Atmos Mid-Tex within the municipal limits arising from Atmos Mid-Tex's 2020 RRM filing, is in the public interest, and is consistent with the City's authority under Section 103.001 of the Texas Utilities Code. SECTION 3. That despite finding Company's plant-in-service to be reasonable, ACSC is not foreclosed in future cases from evaluating the reasonableness of costs associated with incidents involving leaks of natural gas. SECTION 4. That the existing rates for natural gas service provided by Company are unreasonable. The new tariffs attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, are just and reasonable,and are designed to allow Company to recover annually an additional$90 million from customers in ACSC Cities, over the amount allowed under currently approved rates. Such tariffs are hereby adopted. SECTION 5. That the ratemaking treatment for pensions and retiree medical benefits in Company's next RRM filing shall be as set forth on Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein. Ordinance No.24477-10-2020 Page 3 of 5 SECTION 6. That subject to any future settlement or decision regarding the balance of Excess Deferred Income Tax to be refunded to ratepayers, the amortization of regulatory liability shall be consistent with the schedule found in Exhibit C, attached hereto and incorporated herein. SECTION 7. That Company shall reimburse the reasonable ratemaking expenses of the ACSC in processing the Company's 2020 RRM filing. SECTION 8. That to the extent any ordinance previously adopted by the Council is inconsistent with this Ordinance, it is hereby repealed. SECTION 9. 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 10. 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 11. That consistent with the City Ordinance that established the RRM process, 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 December 1, 2020. SECTION 12. That a copy of this Ordinance shall be sent to Atmos Mid-Tex, care of Chris Felan, Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs Mid-Tex Division, 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., 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1900,Austin, Texas 78701. (signature page follows) Ordinance No.24477-10-2020 Page 4 of 5 PASSED AND APPROVED this 20"' day of October 2020. Mayor ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM Mary J. r i ecretary Sarah Fullenwider, City Attorney FORT Gf,O O� .�'LXP►S Exhibit A Rate Tariffs Effective December 1,2020 MID-TEX DIVISION RRC Tariff No: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: R—RESIDENTIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12101/2020 PAGE: 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 Ccf charges to the amounts due under the riders listed below: Charge Amount Customer Charge per Bill $20.25 per month Rider CEE Surcharge $ 0.05 per month' Total Customer Charge $20.30 per month Commodity Charge--All Ccf $0.26651 per Ccf 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. 'Reference Rider CEE-Conservation and Energy Efficiency as approved in GUD 10170. Surcharge billing effective July 1,2020. MID TEX DIVISION RRC Tariff No: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: C—COMMERCIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: I ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12/01/2020 PAGE: 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 30,000 Ccf. 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 Ccf charges to the amounts due under the riders listed below: Charge Amount Customer Charge per Bill $54.50 per month Rider CEE Surcharge $ 0,02 per months Total Customer Charge $54.52 per month Commodity Charge—All Ccf $0.11728 per Ccf 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. 'Reference Rider CEE-Conservation and Energy Efficiency as approved in GUD 10170. Surcharge billing effective July 1,2020. MID-TEX DIVISION RRC Tariff No: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: I—INDUSTRIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12/01/2020 PAGE: 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 $1,014.50 per month First 0 MMBtu to 1,500 MMBtu $0.4157 per MMBtu Next 3,500 MMBtu $0.3044 per MMBtu All MMBtu over 5,000 MMBtu $0.0653 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." 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. MID-TEX DIVISION RRC Tariff No: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: I—INDUSTRIAL SALES APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12/01/2020 PAGE: 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 1, 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. MID-TEX DIVISION RRC Tariff No: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: T—TRANSPORTATION APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12/01/2020 PAGE: 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 $ 1,014.50 per month First 0 MMBtu to 1,500 MMBtu $0,4157 per MMBtu Next 3,500 MMBtu $0.3044 per MMBtu All MMBtu over 5,000 MMBtu $0.0653 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. 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. MID-TEX DIVISION RRC Tariff No: ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RATE SCHEDULE: T—TRANSPORTATION APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12/01/2020 PAGE: 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. MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RIDER: WNA—WEATHER NORMALIZATION ADJUSTMENT APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 1210112020 PAGE: Provisions for Adjustment The Commodity Charge per Ccf(100 cubic feet) for gas service set forth in any Rate Schedules utilized by the cities of the Mid-Tex Division service area for determining normalized winter period revenues shall be adjusted by an amount hereinafter described, which amount is referred to as the "Weather Normalization Adjustment." The Weather Normalization Adjustment shall apply to all temperature sensitive residential and commercial bills based on meters read during the revenue months of November through April. The five regional weather stations are Abilene,Austin, Dallas,Waco, and Wichita Falls. Computation of Weather Normalization Adiustment The Weather Normalization Adjustment Factor shall be computed to the nearest one-hundredth cent per Ccf by the following formula: (HSFi x (NDD-ADD) ) WNAFi = Ri (BLi + (HSFi x ADD) ) Where i = any particular Rate Schedule or billing classification within any such particular Rate Schedule that contains more than one billing classification WNAFi = Weather Normalization Adjustment Factor for the ith rate schedule or classification expressed in cents per Ccf Ri = Commodity Charge rate of temperature sensitive sales for the ith schedule or classification. HSFi = heat sensitive factor for the ith schedule or classification divided by the average bill count in that class NDD = billing cycle normal heating degree days calculated as the simple ten-year average of actual heating degree days, ADD = billing cycle actual heating degree days. Bli = base load sales for the ith schedule or classification divided by the average bill count in that class The Weather Normalization Adjustment for the jth customer in ith rate schedule is computed as: WNAi= WNAFi x qy Where q;i is the relevant sales quantity for the jth customer in ith rate schedule. MID-TEX DIVISION ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION RIDER: WNA—WEATHER NORMALIZATION ADJUSTMENT APPLICABLE TO: ALL CUSTOMERS IN THE MID-TEX DIVISION UNDER THE RRM TARIFF EFFECTIVE DATE: Bills Rendered on or after 12/01/2020 PAGE: Base Use/Heat Use Factors Residential Commercial Base use Heat use Base use Heat use Weather Station Ccf Ccf/HDD Ccf Ccf/HDD Abilene 10.73 0.1545 94.79 0.7284 Austin 9.53 0.1489 211.76 0.9405 Dallas 15.77 0.1792 199.74 0.9385 Waco 9.99 0.1341 145.27 0.7110 Wichita 11.61 0.1402 120.34 0.5747 Falls Weather Normalization Adjustment(WNA)Report On or before June 1 of each year, the company posts on its website at atmosenergy.com/mtx-wna, in Excel format, a Weather Normalization Adjustment (WNA) Report to show how the company calculated its WNAs factor during the preceding winter season. Additionally, on or before June 1 of each year, the company files one hard copy and an Excel version of the WNA Report with the Railroad Commission of Texas'Gas Services Division, addressed to the Director of that Division. Exhibit B 2020 Benchmark for Pensions and Retiree Benefits N N In 9 � d «fA m w w w to c m S OD (1 m � 0 E S: a c v m co W 0 a: — w w w w 403, A_L OD e �8 W)8Doi �U $ v � r �-om w w w w ww � 0 J a ao s o o LL,M Cl. & € P� �g a a = vOwl 10m � o 0F= d w w w w w Nmy _� r L E w Vl V ' In ee o CM CMd � c Ol > � ° A9 8s DO i LL a S 0) N N sa o x a:� Fm esC L ai - OWW G Wm IiJ W `0) /R 64 w !9 GOtll C ' 0 C0 L e=o ��j {��{� �et v v 0'' eo rn }b � us LU cp3 � w �p5 Z W W d w to w w w t�v a N p cA c O LU o� 5 D � ot3 w m x d a : m d Y cA J �f yj z. = O 1- y ca F o (n in x (a W c m A N a ?s � R -00 m ° $ cQioEv a m mr U 0 (Cp1 y� o �(p1 U N _' N J @ N X tfj S 0 q lLN O 00 v [' 1� d I� LL � O C Qq10 15 �j .LC Y .Y IV 'm « O M " LLW 0 LL N v^ 7n E m E o f `O a' ccp c O tv' d fOp V c . a�1�u5 � oio nv m� mm �m w M Fm "' � map`p 0 H N H w a 4p N O S. Q O y m � 2 ac 8 LL - 10 06 O W m N �•- W c0 N O o CD am ov CD 2 o CL E eEo oiso .60 ,Qy CL :k & O k ca O 912912 Z.- C*4 N of c Z — N C� ef10 cpt� d00)O�N� ��� � �� ONN� Exhibit C 2020 Schedule for Amortization for Regulatory Liability ATMOS ENERGY CORP.,MID-TEX DIVISION RATE BASE ADJUSTMENTS TEST YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,2019 AMORTIZATION OF REGULATORY LIABILITY Beginning of Year End of Year Rate Base Rate Base Corrected Balance Line Year Ended Adjustment Annual Adjustment for December 31, No. Dec.31 Amount Amortization(1) Amount(2) 2017(3) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 1 2017 $ - $ 292,268,881 $ 292,268,881 2 2018 292,268,881 12,075,562 280,193,319 3 2019 280,193,319 12,085,165 268,108,155 4 2020 268,108,155 11,171,173 256,936,982 5 2021 256,936,982 11,171,173 245,765,809 6 2022 245,765,809 11,171,173 234,594,635 7 2023 234,594,635 11,171,173 223,423,462 8 2024 223,423,462 11,171,173 212,252,289 9 2025 212,252,289 11,171,173 201,081,116 10 2026 201,081,116 11,171,173 189,909,943 11 2027 189,909,943 11,171,173 178,738,770 12 2028 178,738,770 11,171,173 167,567,597 13 2029 167,567,597 11,171,173 156,396,424 14 2030 156,396,424 11,171,173 145,225,251 15 2031 145,225,251 11,171,173 134,054,077 16 2032 134,054,077 11,171,173 122,882,904 17 2033 122,882,904 11,171,173 111,711,731 18 2034 111,711,731 11,171,173 100,540,558 19 2035 100,540,558 11,171,173 89,369,385 20 2036 89,369,385 11,171,173 78,198,212 21 2037 78,198,212 11,171,173 67,027,039 22 2038 67,027,039 11,171,173 55,855,866 23 2039 55,855,866 11,171,173 44,684,692 24 2040 44,684,692 11,171,173 33,513,519 25 2041 33,513,519 11,171,173 22,342,346 26 2042 22,342,346 11,171,173 11,171,173 27 2043 11,171,173 11,171,173 (0) 28 29 Revenue Related Tax Factor 7.16% See WP_F-5.1 Revenue Related Taxes on Annual Amortization"Tax 30 Amortization $ 799,924 Factor 31 Amortization Including Revenue $ 1 1,971,09L Amortization +Taxes 32 33 Notes: 34 1. The annual amortization of a 26 year recovery period is based on the 35 Reverse South Georgia Method. 36 2. The Regulatory Liability is recorded to FERC Account 253, Sub Account 27909. 37 3. This is the final Mid-Tex liability balance filing the Fiscal Year 2018 tax return. City of Fort Worth, Texas Mayor and Council Communication DATE: 10/20/20 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 20-0753 LOG NAME: 21ADOPTION OF ATMOS 2020 RRM SUBJECT (ALL)Adopt Ordinance Approving Negotiated Settlement and Establishing Maximum Permitted Rates and Charges that Atmos Energy Corporation d/b/a Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division,may Assess Customers in the City of Fort Worth Effective December 1,2020 RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance establishing maximum permitted rates and charges that Atmos Energy Corporation, d/b/a Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division, may assess customers in the City of Fort Worth,effective December 1,2020, pursuant to a negotiated settlement of Atmos'proposed rate increase under its 2020 Rate Review Mechanism filing. DISCUSSION: The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication(M&C)is to approve a negotiated settlement with Atmos Energy Corporation,d/b/a Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division(Atmos),regarding Atmos'2020 filing under the Rate Review Mechanism(RRM). The settlement was negotiated and is recommended by the Executive Committee of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee(ACSC),a coalition of 171 cities including Fort Worth,which works cooperatively to provide members with more effective and efficient representation on natural gas-related issues. The RRM Tariff was most recently re-adopted in 2019(M&C 19-0185)and serves as an alternative rate adjustment mechanism to the default process outlined in state law. Like the state-law adjustment mechanism,the RRM allows Atmos to adjust rates to recover capital improvement costs,but unlike state law,the RRM takes into account Atmos'overall financial situation,including operating costs and revenues and allows cities, as regulatory entities,to review filings and identify expenses or investments considered to be unreasonable or unnecessary that should be reduced or disallowed. Since it was originally adopted,the RRM process has generally resulted in rate increases that are less than Atmos would have been entitled to implement under the default state-law adjustment mechanism. On or about March 31,2020,Atmos filed a rate request under the RRM Tariff. Given Atmos'claim that its historic cost of service should entitle it to recover$141.2 million in additional system-wide revenues,the RRM settlement at$90 million for ACSC Cities reflects substantial savings to its member-cities. ACSC's consultants produced a report indicating that Atmos had justified increased revenues for ACSC Cities of at least$81 million. It was determined that a settlement at$90 million (equivalent to$81 million with a two-month delay)is fair and reasonable. The City worked with and through ACSC to analyze the schedules and evidence offered by Atmos to support its request to increase rates. City staff concur with the ACSC Executive Committee in their recommendation that the City take action to approve the negotiated settlement's rates and charges before November 1,2020; new rates become effective December 1,2020. The attached Ordinance reflects the terms of a negotiated settlement between ACSC and Atmos to resolve issues raised by ACSC during the review and evaluation of Atmos'filing. Under the Ordinance Atmos'revenues would increase by$90 million. This figure represents a reduction of approximately$51.2 million from the amount Atmos requested in its RRM filing. On approval of the attached Ordinance,the rates shown in Exhibit A of the Ordinance will be effective for bills rendered on or after December 1, 2020. Key elements of the rate changes are as follows: Tariff Rate-Customer Class Current Proposed R-Residential Customer Charge $ 19.55 $20.25 Consumption Charge $0.17423/Cc $0.26651/Cc C-Commercial Customer Charge $46.50 $54.50 Consumption Charge $0.09924/Cc $0.11728/Cc I-Industrial&T- Transportation Customer Charge $845.50 $ 1,014.50 Consumption Charge Tier 1 $0.3572/MMBtu $0.4157/MMBtu Consumption Charge Tier 2 $0.2616/MMBtu $0.3044/MMBtu Consumption Charge Tier 3 $0.0561/MMBtu $0.0653/MMBtu The ACSC staff report includes an Average Bill Comparison regarding the impact of the settlement rates on the average monthly bills for Atmos Mid-Tex Division customers by Customer Class: Tariff Rate- Average Current Proposed Cost- Customer Class Consumption Change Change R-Residential 44.5-Ccf $52.01 $57.16 $5.15 9.9% C-Commercial 357.4-Ccf $236.07 $251.55 $15.48 6.56% -Industrial 4,143-MMBtu $ 11,929.86 $ 12,326.23 $396.37 3.32% Transportation 41143-MMBtu $4,233.25 $4,629.63 $396.38 9.36% This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. A Form 1295 is not required because:This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. FISCAL INFORMATION I CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that approval of this recommendation will have no material effect on City funds. Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Dana Burghdoff 8018 Originating Business Unit Head: Steve Cooke 5134 Additional Information Contact: Roger Venables 6334