Aldine Ratepayers file emergency motion to suspend water rate increase

By ARLENE NICHOLS Special to the NE News
Aldine Ratepayers Association (ARA) has filed a motion to suspend the effective date of a rate increase by Texas American Water. The motion was filed on April 14 with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Austin.
“In just the last thirty days TCEQ approved the prior rate increase by Texas American Water and here they are back again requesting another rate increase,” said Rep. Kevin Bailey. “We believe we are justified in taking the rare step of requesting that the latest request for a rate increase be suspended so that we can have a hearing on the merits of the case prior to any increase in rates. It is very difficult to believe that they can justify another rate increase so soon.”
The most recent filing by Texas American Water requests a 34% increase for the company with an effective date of April 22. The emergency motion filed by ARA would suspend the rate increase for 150 days. In the filing ARA stated that there is no basis for allowing Texas-American to put rates into effect without a hearing on the merits of the case. This is especially true given the fact that many of its customers live on fixed incomes.

“I made a commitment to support area residents in their fight against the company and I am following through on that commitment. TCEQ has rarely suspended rate increases but we have a situation that calls out for them to use their authority to suspend this increase,” said Bailey. “If our request for a suspension is granted then we will have an opportunity to have a hearing on the merits of the case.”
Last year ARA contested a rate increase by Texas-American. The company had attempted to increase water rates more than 33% and sewer rates by more than 60% before Rep. Bailey organized area residents to mount a legal challenge against the company. After two lengthy hearings the company settled for a 13.6 % increase in water rates and a 27.2% increase in sewer rates.
Aldine Ratepayers Association was formed by North Houston residents so they could protest rate increases by Texas American Water. The group represents residents who live in several North Houston neighborhoods including Greenwood Village, Mary Francis, Colonial Hills, Aldine Meadows, Bergville, Bertrand, Kenwood and Stretner.
The East Aldine Management District, after receiving a request from Bailey, hired attorney Jim Boyle of Austin to represent area residents in the legal process. Boyle was the Director of the Office of Public Utility Counsel for the State of Texas before going into private practice in Austin. He is recognized throughout the state for his knowledge and abilities in public utility and administrative law cases.