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HomeMy WebLinkAbout064625 - General - Contract - Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC.� relianto an NRG company Dana Burghdoff City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services 200 Texas Street Fort Worth, Texas 76102 CSC No. 64625 Re: 2026 Letter Agreement for NRG's Bill Assistance Program called Customer Assistance and Relief for Electricity ("NRG CARE Program") Dear Dana Burghdoff Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC (Reliant) is a certified Retail Electric Provider serving residential customers in the Texas ERCOT Market and is required to establish and maintain an energy assistance program in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. As an affiliate of NRG Energy, Inc. ("NRG"), Reliant offers City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Services ("Agency") the ability to participate in the NRG CARE Program. The Agency has a proven record of managing energy assistance and relief programs and is capable of processing customer payment assistance in an efficient, effective manner. Reliant allocates fundingto support the NRG CARE Program that encompasses the following Retail Electric Providers that are entities owned by NRG (`NRG Affiliates') who serve residential customers in the Texas ERCOT Market: Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC ("Reliant"), Direct Energy LP ("Direct Energy"), Stream SPE, Ltd ("Stream") , US Retailers, LLC dba DISCOUNT POWER ("Discount Power"), US Retailers, LLC dba CIRRO Energy ("Cirro Energy"), XOOM Energy Texas, LLC ("Xoom Energy"), and Green Mountain Energy Company ("Green Mountain Energy"). NRG has invited Agency to participate in the annual NRG CARE Program subject to the terms outlined in this letter agreement. Previous carryover funds Agency retains now fall under this Letter agreement effective January 1 st 2026. The purpose of these contributions is to provide funding for energy assistance payments to NRG Affiliates' customers. The funds contributed for energy assistance payments must be deposited in a depository bank account held in trust for the NRG CARE Program. The Agency will not discriminate during the distribution of NRG CARE funds because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, lawful source of income, level of income, disability, financial status, and location of customer in an economically distressed geographic area. �FFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX .� relianto an NRG company Agency will accept program applications from potential recipients and qualify customers as eligible recipients in accordance with the following NRG CARE program requirements: • Each recipient of NRG CARE contributions must be a customer with an active account under one of the following NRG affiliates: o Reliant Energy o Direct Energy o Stream o Discount Power o Xoom Energy o Green Mountain Energy o Cirro Energy • The recipient's name must match the customer account name on the bill, or be requested by an authorized user on the customer's account • Each recipient should be notified that the contributions are from the NRG CARE Program. • A customer on a prepaid service plan is eligible for NRG CARE assistance payments "Pledges". • The maximum annual customer assistance payment limit is $600.00 per calendar year • Pledge payments using NRG CARE funds can be used to pay a Deposit • Pledge payments using NRG CARE funds can be used to payfees charged bythe NRG Affiliates or by the Transmission Distribution Utility "TDU" • Recipients of NRG CARE contributions are eligible to receive multiple assistance payments on their account if the cumulative amount does not exceed the maximum annual payment limit of $600.00 in accordance with the Agency hardship criteria. Agency Program Guidelines: • Agency will distribute and discuss program guidelines in a training session with all volunteers and staff. • Agency qualifies active NRG Affiliate customer. • Agency utilizes the NRG Agency Portal to make inquiries and/or pledges on behalf of the customer at a�encyportal.nr�.com/A�encyPortal .� relianto an NRG company • Agency remits payment within 45 days from the pledge date to NRG Affiliates and includes documentation with Customer Name, Customer Account number and Pledge Payment Amount that denotes NRG CARE payment. Payment can be sent by check or ACH: o IfpayingbyACH, payment advice should be emailed to Credit Operations—Agency Assistance: Email: CreditOosA�encyCc�nr�.com o Ifpayingbycheck, mail check and documentation to the Payment Remittance Address: Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC P. O. Box 1046 Houston, Texas 77251-1046 Stream SPE, Ltd. P. O. Box 3367 Houston, Texas 77253-3367 Attn: Agency Assistance U.S. Retailers, LLC — Discount Power P. O. Box 3587 Houston, Texas 77253-3587 Attn: AgencyAssistance U.S. Retailers, LLC — CIRRO P. O. Box 3188 Houston, Texas 77253-3188 Attn: AgencyAssistance Green Mountain Energy Company P. O. Box 1509 Houston, Texas 77251-1509 Attn: AgencyAssistance Attn: AgencyAssistance XOOM EnergyTexas, LTD P. O. Box 3916 Houston, Texas 77251-3916 Attn: Agency Assistance Direct Energy LP P. O. Box 2349 Houston, Texas 77253-2349 Attn: AgencyAssistance • Agency must submit a monthly report form no later than the 10t" of each month to NRG via email, recording activity and balance of funds regardless if funds were distributed ornot. To qualify for additional funding under the annual NRG CARE Program, agencies must submit their monthly report excel workbook. o Email monthlyreportto: Diana Barahona at nr�carearogramC�nr�.com • AdditionalAgencyfunding opportunity under the annual NRG CARE program is determined solely by NRG and is based on the need of customers served by the Agency, Agency's utilization of current and previous funds and accurate timely reporting as well as the availability of NRG CARE funds. Agency may request additional NRG CARE Program funds when Agency has pledged or utilized 75% of the contributed funds. Additional contributions are subject to the NRG CARE Program funds available at time of request. .� relianto an NRG company • Agency must also keep records of all transactions relating to the distribution of NRG CARE contributions for a period of 2 year(s) and will allow NRG full access during normal business hours to inspect, audit or reproduce all such records and books of related to this agreement. NRG can terminate this agreement at any time during the year by providing 30 days advance written notice to Agency. Agency must take all necessary action outlined in the termination notice to conclude the program work. In the event Agency's participation in the NRG CARE Program is terminated for any reason, all remaining funds that are not utilized or pledged for qualifying customers must be returned to NRG via check or ACH transaction within 45 days of the date of termination. • All NRG Care Program funds that are not utilized or pledged to aid qualifying customers by the end of the calendar year, will be eligible to rollover to the next NRG CARE Program year. To acknowledge your agreement to and acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined in this letter please sign below. Keep a copyforyour records and return a copyto NRGvia emailto nrgcareprogram@nrg.com Sincerely, Michele Glover !;l/`l1(%(it,f�t.f l�il,f',�'l/�Cil %-� Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable Management Continuous Improvement and CARE Program AGREED AND ACCEPTED � �a�a $r�qG��lo�' Dana Burghdoff (Jan 2�202614:3�:�2 CST) Name: Dana Burghdoff Title: Assistant City Manager Date: Agency Name: City of Fort Wroth CSC No. CITY OF FORT WORTH APPROVAL RECOMMENDED: ����"D By: Name: Kacey Thomas Title: Directar, Neighbarhood Services ATTEST: an 4FORT �pA a"�@,oa lyDAdd P!`o -00 A ' 1 pPQ ���` � �\��,�A.e#sz, aa°n nep456qa By: � Name: Jannette Goodall Title: City Secretary CONTRACT COMPLIANCE MANAGER: By signing I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including ensuring all performance and reporting requirements. 7�I cita.�a. Deea�.ea�, L-��5'G(� By: Name: Michelle Doonkeen Title: Assistant Director, Neighborhood Services APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: So�Gcie MatGcew,t By: Name: Sophie Mathews Title: Assistant City Attomey CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION: M&C:25-0855 1295:N/A OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX Contract Renewal Page 1 of 1 M&C Review CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Create New From This M&C DATE: 9/16/2025 REFERENCE NO.: **M&C 25- 0855 LOG NAME: CODE: C TYPE: CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING: Page 1 of 2 Official site of the Clty of Fort Worth, Texas FORT �'4'ORTFI _�_ 19NS NRG CARE PROGRAM 2025 NO SUBJECT: (ALL) Authorize Execution of a New Agreement with Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC in a Total Amount Up to $100,000.00 for the NRG CARE Program from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Authorize the execution of a new agreement with Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC in an amount up to $100,000.00 for the NRG CARE Program from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030; 2. Authorize the acceptance of interest earned for the advanced funds in the amount of $34.98 for the new NRG CARE Program; and 3. Adopt the attached appropriation ordinance increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in the Grants Operating Other Fund, subject to receipt of the grant, in the amount of $100,034.98, for the purpose of funding the NRG CARE Program. DISCUSSION: Reliant Energy Retail Services, LLC, (Reliant Energy) developed the CARE Program (Program) as a supplement to government and community aid programs designed to assist Reliant Energy customers in financial distress to meet their electric utility related costs. The Program is funded by voluntary contributions from Reliant Energy, its customers, its employees and third parties. On January 23, 2024, City Council authorized execution of an agreement with Reliant Energy in an amount up to $100,000.00 for the CARE Program from January 1,2024 through December 31,2029. The Neighborhood Services DepartmenYs (NSD) Community Action Partners will administer the Program. On April 25, 2025, the City received notice from Reliant Energy of significant changes to the CARE Program. Effective May 1, 2025, the Reliant CARE Program and the Direct Energy Neighbor to Neighbor bill assistance programs merged into a new program called the NRG CARE Program (Customer Assistance and Relief for Electricity). Per the terms of the merger, all CARE and Neighbor to Neighbor funding can be applied across all seven affiliates under the NRG umbrella. Affiliates include: Reliant Energy, Direct Energy LP (Direct Energy), Stream SPE, Ltd (Stream) , US Retailers, LLC dba DISCOUNT POWER (Discount Power), US Retailers, LLC dba CIRRO Energy (Cirro Energy), XOOM Energy Texas, LLC (Xoom Energy), and Green Mountain Energy Company (Green Mountain Energy). In addition, the maximum allowable assistance under NRG's CARE program was increased from $300.00 to $600.00 per calendar year. To be eligible, recipients of the NRG CARE Program must be a customer of an NRG Affiliate with an active account and the applicant's name must match the NRG Affiliate's customer account name. Due to the merger, Staff requests authorization for the execution of a new contract with Reliant Energy in the total amount up to $100,000.00 for the NRG CARE Program from May 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030. During the period of June 2017 to June 30, 2025, the City received a total amount of $78,732.98 from Reliant Energy in the form of advanced funds under the CARE Program. These funds earned interest earnings of $759.23, out of which $724.25 were appropriated and added by the City for the program http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc review.asp?ID=33715&councildate=9/16/2025 9/22/2025 M&C Review Page 2 of 2 (M&C-24-0026). The balance earned interest of $34.98 needs to be appropriated by the City into the new NRG Care Program project. A total of 316 Tarrant County households were assisted under the previous CARE program with grant funds totaling $73,801.69. The carryover funds from the CARE program will be transferred to the new NRG CARE program. It is projected that up to 350 qualified households will receive assistance under the new agreement. The term of the Agreement will begin May 1, 2025. The Agreement will automatically renew on a year-to-year basis until terminated. No indirect costs are allowed by Reliant Energy and no matching funds are required. This program serves ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS and remaining parts of Tarrant County. FISCAL INFORMATION/CERTIFICATION: The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations, and adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Other Fund. The Neighborhood Services Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to expenditures being incurred, Neighborhood Services Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of funds. This is an advance grant. TO Fund Department Account � Project ID ID Program Activity Budget Reference # Amount Year (Chartfield 2) FROM � Fund Department Account I Project ID ID Submitted for Citv Manaaer's Office bv: Oriqinatinq Department Head: Additional Information Contact: ATTACHMENTS Program I Activity Budget Year Dana Burghdoff (5804) Kacey Bess (8187) Benedict George (7339) 101075 Reliant Care Proiect Budaet Summarv.pdf (CFW Internal) 19NS NRG CARE PROGRAM 2025 Updated FID.xlsx (CFW Internal) ORD.APP 19NS NRG CARE PROGRAM 2025 21003 A025(31.docx (Public) Reference # Amount (Chartfield 2) http://apps.cfwnet.org/council_packet/mc_review.asp?ID=33715&councildate=9/16/2025 9/22/2025 F�RT ��RTH� City Secretary's Office Contract Routing & Transmittal Slip COntraCtor'S Name: Reliant an NRG Company SubjeCt Of the Agreement: Contract between NRG and City to provide for an energy assistance program in the Texas ERCOT market to provide energy assistance and relief to struggling Reliant customers financial distress to meet their electric utility related costs. M&C Approved by the Council? * Yes 0 No ❑ If�so, the M&C inust be attached to the contract. Is this an Amendment to an Existing contract? Yes ❑ No 8 If so, provide the original contracl number and the amendinenl number. Is the Contract "Permanent"? �Yes ❑ No 8 If unsure, see back page for permanent cont�^act listing. Is this entire contract Confidential? xYes ❑ No 8 If only specific information is Confidential, please list what information is Confidential and the page it is located. Effective Date: 1/1/2026 Expiration Date: 12/31/2026 If different fi^om the approval c�ate. If applicable. Is a 1295 Form required? * Yes ❑ No 0 �'If so, please ensure it is attached to the approving M&C or attached to lhe contracl. Proj ect Number: If applicable. *Did you include a Text field on the contract to add the City Secretary Contract (CSC) number? Yes 8 No ❑ Contracts need to be routed for CSO processin� in the followin� order: L Katherine Cenicola (Approver) 2. Jannette S. Goodall (Signer) 3. Allison Tidwell(Form Filler) *Indicates the information is required and if the information is not provided, the contract will be returned to the department.