Analysis of Securitization of Stranded Costs & CTC Charges in Texas

Gulf Coast Coalition of Cities
Completed May 2005

Synapse provided expert witness testimony in Docket Nos. 30485 (January 2005) and 30706 (March 2005) before the Texas Public Utility Commission.  Neil Talbot and Robert Fagan testified in January on aspects of securitization of stranded costs by CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, the T&D arm of the former Houston Light and Power. In a separate but related docket, Amy Roschelle testified in March on the appropriate interest rate to use in association with a competitive transition charge (CTC) for stranded assets. The thrust of the testimony of all three witnesses focused on ensuring a fair and reasonable stranded cost recovery process, a risk-adjusted rate of return, and minimizing the impact of charges to consumers. Project completed in May 2005.