El Paso Electric Files Rate Case as Ordered by the El Paso City Council

As directed by the El Paso City Council, El Paso Electric (NYSE: EE) filed a rate case with the City today. To maintain uniform rates throughout its West Texas system, EPE filed the same rate case with all other cities in its Texas service territory and with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).

EPE's filing requests an increase of $17.6 million in rates and service charges:

$13.8 million in base rates to continue to provide its customers with safe and reliable service. The increase reflects investments by EPE in power generation and infrastructure needed to meet the growing regional demand for electricity as well as associated operating expenses; and

$3.8 million in interruptible rates and service charges to more closely reflect EPE's cost of providing these services.

In addition, EPE is seeking a one-time estimated surcharge of $8.7 million to recover legal and other expenses likely to be incurred by the City of El Paso and EPE as a result of the City Council's order calling for a rate case to be filed. EPE has proposed that the surcharge be paid over 12 months.