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Regulatory and Rate Matters
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Regulated Operations [Abstract]  
Regulatory and Rate Matters
Regulatory and Rate Matters

The Company is involved in various regulatory matters, some of which contain contingencies that are subject to the same uncertainties as those described in Note 16.
PNM

2014 Electric Rate Case

On December 11, 2014, PNM filed an application for revision of electric retail rates based upon a calendar year 2016 future year test period. The application proposes a revenue increase of $107.4 million, effective January 1, 2016. PNM’s proposed ROE is 10.5%. The requested base rate increase, combined with other rate changes, represent an average bill increase of 7.69%. PNM requested this increase to account for infrastructure investments made since the last rate case and investments needed in the next two years to provide reliable service to PNM’s retail customers, as well as to reflect the declining sales growth in PNM’s service territory. The primary driver of PNM’s identified revenue deficiency, accounting for approximately 92% of the rate increase, is related to infrastructure investments and the recovery of those investment dollars, including depreciation. PNM’s success with energy efficiency programs is a contributing factor to the decline in PNM’s energy sales since the last rate case and accounts for the balance of the rate increase after accounting for offsetting cost reductions. PNM is proposing several changes to rate design to establish fair and equitable pricing across rate classes and to better align cost recovery with cost causation. Specific rate design proposals include increased customer and demand charges, a revenue decoupling pilot program applicable to residential and small power customers, an access charge to customers installing photovoltaic systems after December 31, 2015, a re-allocation of revenue among PNM’s customer classes, a new economic development rate, and continuation of PNM’s renewable energy rider. A public hearing on the rate case is expected to begin in July 2015 and an order from the NMPRC is expected in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Renewable Portfolio Standard
The REA establishes a mandatory RPS requiring a utility to acquire a renewable energy portfolio equal to 10% of retail electric sales by 2011, 15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020. The NMPRC requires renewable energy portfolios to be “fully diversified.” The current diversity requirements are 30% wind, 20% solar, 5% other, and 1.5% distributed generation, increasing to 3% in 2015, subject to the limitation of the RCT.
The REA provides for streamlined proceedings for approval of utilities’ renewable energy procurement plans, assures utilities that they recover costs incurred consistent with approved procurement plans, and requires the NMPRC to establish a RCT for the procurement of renewable resources to prevent excessive costs being added to rates. Currently, the RCT is set at 3% of customers’ annual electric charges.
PNM’s renewable energy procurement plan for 2012 requested a variance from the RPS due to RCT limitations. The plan was diversity-compliant based on the reduced RPS, except for non-wind/non-solar resources, which were not available. In December 2011, the NMPRC approved PNM’s 2012 plan, but ordered PNM to spend an additional $0.9 million on renewable procurements in 2012. The NMPRC also required PNM to file its 2013 renewable energy procurement plan by April 30, 2012. The 2013 plan proposed procurements for 2013 and 2014 of 20 MW of PNM-owned solar PV facilities, at an estimated cost of $45.5 million, wind and solar REC purchases in 2013, and a PPA for the output of the Lightning Dock Geothermal facility. The plan also included an additional procurement of 2 MW of PNM-owned solar PV facilities at an estimated cost of $4.5 million to supply the energy sold under PNM’s voluntary renewable energy tariff. The plan enabled PNM to comply with the statutory RPS in 2013, but required a variance from the NMPRC’s diversity requirements in 2013 while the proposed geothermal facilities were being constructed. The NMPRC approved the plan in December 2012, but reduced the additional solar PV procurement from 2 MW to 1.5 MW. In 2013, PNM made renewable procurements consistent with the 2013 plan approved by the NMPRC. Construction of the solar PV facilities was completed in 2013 at a cost of $48.9 million. The geothermal facility began providing power to PNM in January 2014. The current output of the facility is 4 MW and future expansion may result in up to 10 MW of generation capacity.

PNM filed its 2014 renewable energy procurement plan on July 1, 2013. The plan meets RPS and diversity requirements within the RCT in 2014 and 2015. PNM’s procurements include 50,000 MWh of wind generated RECs in 2014, the construction by December 31, 2014 of 23 MW of PNM-owned solar PV facilities at a cost of $46.7 million, a 20-year PPA for the output of Red Mesa Wind, an existing wind generator having an aggregate capacity of 102 MW, beginning January 1, 2015, at a first year cost estimated to be $5.8 million, and the purchase of 120,000 MWh of wind RECs in 2015. The NMPRC approved the plan on December 18, 2013.

PNM filed its 2015 renewable energy procurement plan on June 2, 2014. The plan meets RPS and diversity requirements within the RCT in 2015 and 2016. PNM’s proposed new procurements included the construction by December 31, 2015 of 40 MW of PNM-owned solar PV facilities at a cost of $79.3 million. The proposed 40 MW solar facilities are identified as being a cost-effective resource in PNM’s application to retire SJGS Units 2 and 3 (Note 16). On September 25, 2014, a stipulated settlement was filed by PNM, staff of the NMPRC, the NMAG, NMIEC, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, and Western Resource Advocates. The stipulation proposed approval of PNM’s procurement proposals; however, the costs for the 40 MW of solar would be included in base rates to be set in PNM’s next general rate case rather than through PNM’s renewable energy rider. Under the agreement, PNM would be required to make additional renewable energy procurements in the event that the prior year’s actual renewable energy procurements did not meet the RPS for that year based on actual retail sales and the actual RCT. The parties also agreed to have additional discussions to attempt to reach agreement on RPS and large customer adjustment calculations to be used in future PNM renewable procurement plans. A public hearing on the stipulation was held on October 27, 2014. On November 26, 2014, the NMPRC issued an order approving the stipulation with a modification that revised the not-to-exceed price from $4.25 per MWh to $3.00 per MWh for any additional necessary procurements to meet the RPS requirement in 2013 or 2014. In December 2014, PNM procured an additional 44,000 MWh of renewable resources to meet the 2013 RPS requirement at an average cost of $1.75 per MWh.
PNM is recovering certain renewable procurement costs from customers through a rate rider. See Renewable Energy Rider below.
Renewable Energy Rider
The NMPRC has authorized PNM to recover certain renewable procurement costs through a rate rider billed on a per KWh basis. The rider will terminate upon a final order in PNM’s next general rate case unless the NMPRC authorizes PNM to continue it. As a separate component of the rider, if PNM’s earned return on jurisdictional equity in a calendar year, adjusted for weather and other items not representative of normal operations, exceeds 10.5%, PNM would be required to refund the amount over 10.5% to customers during May through December of the following year. On April 1, 2014, PNM made a filing with the NMPRC demonstrating that it had not exceeded the 10.5% return for 2013. Preliminary calculations indicate PNM’s jurisdictional equity return did not exceed 10.5% in 2014.

PNM recorded revenues from the rider of $34.3 million, $23.7 million, and $6.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012. In PNM’s 2015 renewable energy procurement plan case, the NMPRC approved a rate, which is designed to collect $44.7 million in 2015.
Energy Efficiency and Load Management
Program Costs

Public utilities are required by the Efficient Use of Energy Act to achieve specified levels of energy savings and to obtain NMPRC approval to implement energy efficiency and load management programs. Costs to implement approved programs are recovered through a rate rider. In 2013, this act was amended to set an annual program budget equal to 3% of an electric utility’s annual revenue.

In October 2012, PNM filed an energy efficiency program application for programs proposed to be offered beginning in May 2013. The filing included proposed program costs of $22.5 million plus a proposed profit incentive. The NMPRC approved PNM’s program application, including the annual profit incentive discussed below, on November 6, 2013.

On October 6, 2014, PNM filed an energy efficiency program application for programs proposed to be offered beginning in June 2015. The filing included proposed program costs of $25.8 million plus a proposed profit incentive. The proposed energy efficiency budget and plan are consistent with the 2013 amendments to the Efficient Use of Energy Act. PNM and the NMPRC staff filed a stipulation on January 30, 2015. If approved, the stipulation would establish program budgets and incentive amounts, assuming a threshold level of energy savings are achieved, for 2015 and 2016. Two parties filed statements in opposition to the stipulation. A public hearing on the stipulation was held in February 2015.
Disincentives/Incentives
The Efficient Use of Energy Act requires the NMPRC to remove utility disincentives to implementing energy efficiency and load management programs and to provide incentives for such programs. In 2010, PNM began implementing a NMPRC rule that authorized electric utilities to collect rate adders to remove disincentives and to provide incentives for energy and demand savings related to energy efficiency and demand response programs. In November 2013, the NMPRC issued an order authorizing PNM to recover an incentive equal to 7.6% of annual program costs beginning with program implementation in December 2013. Based on PNM’s currently approved program costs, this equates to an estimated annual incentive of $1.7 million.
 
In June 2011, the NMPRC approved PNM-specific incentives for savings. PNM collected approximately $1.3 million, on an annual basis, in incentive revenues through November 2013 consistent with this order. On March 27, 2013, PNM filed its reconciliation for actual energy efficiency program costs, associated incentives, and actual collections for calendar year 2012. The reconciliation filing showed a net over-recovery of $0.2 million, composed of an over-recovery of $1.0 million of program costs and an under-recovery of incentives of $0.8 million. PNM subsequently revised the estimated incentive under-recovery to $0.5 million. PNM and the NMPRC staff filed a motion seeking to substitute the new reconciliation filing with a proposed effective date of May 28, 2013. On April 24, 2013, the NMPRC issued an order granting the motion. PNM implemented the new rate on May 28, 2013. In PNM’s 2014 energy efficiency program application, PNM proposed an energy efficiency incentive of $2.1 million. PNM’s proposed incentive was based upon a shared benefits methodology and is similar in amount to previous PNM incentives authorized by the NMPRC. Under the terms of the January 30, 2015 stipulation discussed above, the incentive amount would be $1.7 million in 2015 and $1.8 million in 2016 assuming threshold level of savings are achieved. A public hearing was held in February 2015. The NMPRC has not yet acted upon PNM’s application.

Energy Efficiency Rulemaking

On May 17, 2012, the NMPRC issued a NOPR that would have amended the NMPRC’s energy efficiency rule to authorize use of a decoupling mechanism to recover certain fixed costs of providing retail electric service as the mechanism for removal of disincentives associated with the implementation of energy efficiency programs. The proposed rule also addressed incentives associated with energy efficiency. On July 26, 2012, the NMPRC closed the proposed rulemaking and opened a new energy efficiency rulemaking docket that may address decoupling and incentives. Workshops to develop a proposed rule have been held, but no order proposing a rule has been issued. PNM is unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
On October 2, 2013, the NMPRC issued a NOPR and a proposed rule to implement amendments to the New Mexico Efficient Use of Energy Act. Included in the proposed rule is a provision that would limit incentive awards to an amount equal to the utility’s WACC times its approved annual program costs. The NMPRC received comments and a public hearing was held on November 20, 2013. The NMPRC issued an order on October 8, 2014, adopting the proposed rule.
FPPAC Continuation Application
Pursuant to the rules of the NMPRC, public utilities are required to file an application to continue using their FPPAC every four years. On May 28, 2013, PNM filed the required continuation application and requested that its current FPPAC be modified to increase the reset frequency of the fuel factor from annually to quarterly, to allow PNM to retain 10% of its off-system sales margin, and to apply the same carrying charge rate to both over and under collections in the balancing account. On December 20, 2013, a stipulated agreement was filed to resolve this case. On April 23, 2014, the NMPRC approved the stipulation. The settlement allows PNM to retain 10% of off-system sales margin from July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016, resolves all costs related to the mine fire incident discussed in Note 16, resolves the ratemaking treatment for coal pre-treatment at SJGS until the next rate case, required PNM to write-off $10.5 million of the under-collected balance in its FPPAC balancing account, and required PNM to extend the recovery of the remaining under-collected balance over 18 months beginning July 1, 2014. PNM recorded the $10.5 million write off as a regulatory disallowance in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The NMPRC approval of the amended stipulation in PNM’s 2010 Electric Rate Case limited the amount that could be recovered on an annual basis for fuel costs during certain years. Costs in excess of the limits were deferred, without carrying costs, for recovery in future periods. The fuel cost caps were $38.8 million for the FPPAC year beginning July 1, 2012 and $36.2 million for the FPPAC year beginning July 1, 2013. The fuel cost caps ended on June 30, 2014. The resulting under-recovery as of April 30, 2014 was $63.5 million. Consistent with the order approved in PNM’s FPPAC Continuation Application, PNM is recovering this under-collection, net of the write-off agreed to in the settlement, over an 18 month period beginning July 1, 2014.
Integrated Resource Plan
NMPRC rules require that investor owned utilities file an IRP every three years. The IRP is required to cover a 20-year planning period and contain an action plan covering the first four years of that period. PNM filed its 2014 IRP on July 1, 2014. The four-year action plan was consistent with the replacement resources identified in PNM’s application to retire SJGS Units 2 and 3. PNM indicated that it planned to meet its anticipated long-term load growth with a combination of additional renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, and natural gas-fired facilities. Consistent with statute and NMPRC rule, PNM incorporated a public advisory process into the development of its 2014 IRP. On July 31, 2014, several parties requested the NMPRC not to accept the 2014 IRP as compliant with NMPRC rule because to do so could affect the pending proceeding on PNM’s application to abandon SJGS Units 2 and 3 and for CCNs for certain replacement resources (Note 16) and because they assert that the IRP does not conform to the NMPRC’s IRP rule. Certain parties also ask that further proceedings on the IRP be held in abeyance until the conclusion of the pending abandonment/CCN proceeding. The NMPRC issued an order in August 2014 that dockets a case to determine whether the IRP complies with applicable NMPRC rules. The order also holds the case in abeyance pending the issuance of final, non-appealable orders in PNM’s 2015 renewable energy procurement plan case and its application to retire SJGS Units 2 and 3.
San Juan Generating Station Units 2 and 3 Retirement
On December 20, 2013, PNM filed an application at the NMPRC to retire SJGS Units 2 and 3 on December 31, 2017. On October 1, 2014, PNM and certain parties to the case filed a stipulation with the NMPRC proposing a settlement of this case. Other parties are opposing the stipulated agreement. Additional information concerning the NMPRC filing, including a summary of the terms of the stipulation is set forth in Note 16. A public hearing in the NMPRC case was held in January 2015. PNM will also make an application at FERC to seek approval of the restructured SJGS participation agreements. PNM is unable to predict the outcome of these matters.

Four Corners Right of First Refusal

On February 17, 2015, PNM received notice from EPE that EPE has entered into an agreement to sell its 7% interest in Four Corners to APS, thereby triggering PNM’s ability to exercise its right of first refusal (“ROFR”) to acquire a portion of EPE’s interest in Four Corners. PNM intends to inform the NMPRC about receipt of the notice and advise the NMPRC that PNM does not intend to exercise its rights under the ROFR. If not exercised, the ROFR will expire 120 days from the date of the notice.

Transmission Rate Case
In October 2010, PNM filed a notice with FERC to increase its wholesale electric transmission revenues by $11.1 million annually, based on a return on equity of 12.25%. The filing also sought to revise certain Open Access Transmission Tariff provisions and bi-lateral contractual terms.  In December 2010, FERC issued an order accepting PNM’s filing and suspending the proposed tariff revisions for five months. The proposed rates were implemented on June 1, 2011, subject to refund. The rate increase applied to all of PNM’s wholesale electric transmission service customers, which include other utilities, electric cooperatives, and entities that use PNM’s transmission system to transmit power at the wholesale level.  The rate increase did not impact PNM’s retail customers. On January 2, 2013, FERC approved an unopposed settlement agreement, which increases transmission service revenues by $2.9 million annually. In addition, the parties agreed that if PNM files for a formula based rate change within one year from FERC’s approval of the settlement agreement, no party will oppose the general principle of a formula rate, although the parties may still object to particular aspects of the formula. PNM refunded amounts collected in excess of the settled rates in January 2013, concluding this matter.
Formula Transmission Rate Case
On December 31, 2012, PNM filed an application with FERC for authorization to move from charging stated rates for wholesale electric transmission service to a formula rate mechanism pursuant to which rates for wholesale transmission service are calculated annually in accordance with an approved formula. The proposed formula includes updating cost of service components, including investment in plant and operating expenses, based on information contained in PNM’s annual financial report filed with FERC, as well as including projected large transmission capital projects to be placed into service in the following year. The projections included are subject to true-up in the following year formula rate. Certain items, including changes to return on equity and depreciation rates, require a separate filing to be made with FERC before being included in the formula rate. As filed, PNM’s request would result in a $3.2 million wholesale electric transmission rate increase, based on PNM’s 2011 data and a 10.81% return on equity (“ROE”), and authority to adjust transmission rates annually based on an approved formula. The proposed $3.2 million rate increase would be in addition to the $2.9 million rate increase approved by the FERC on January 2, 2013.
On March 1, 2013, FERC issued an order (1) accepting PNM’s revisions to its rates for filing and suspending the proposed revisions to become effective August 2, 2013, subject to refund; (2) directing PNM to submit a compliance filing to establish its ROE using the median, rather than the mid-point, of the ROEs from a proxy group of companies; (3) directing PNM to submit a compliance filing to remove from its rate proposal the acquisition adjustment related to PNM’s 60% ownership of the EIP transmission line, which was acquired in 2003 ; and (4) setting the proceeding for hearing and settlement judge procedures. PNM would be allowed to make a separate filing related to recovery of the EIP acquisition adjustment. On April 1, 2013, PNM made the required compliance filing. In addition, PNM filed for rehearing of FERC’s order regarding the ROE. On June 3, 2013, PNM made additional filings incorporating final 2012 data into the formula rate request. The updated formula rate would result in a $1.3 million rate increase over the rates approved by FERC on January 2, 2013. The new rates apply to all of PNM’s wholesale electric transmission service customers. On June 10, 2013, FERC denied PNM’s motion for rehearing regarding FERC’s order requiring PNM to use the median, instead of the midpoint, to calculate its ROE for the formula rate case. On August 2, 2013, the new rates went into effect, subject to refund. On May 1, 2014, PNM updated its formula rate incorporating 2013 data resulting in a $0.5 million rate increase over the then current rates. PNM filed the updated rate request with FERC on May 30, 2014, at which time the new rates became effective, subject to refund. The parties have engaged in settlement negotiations and PNM anticipates that a settlement will be filed with FERC in the near future. There is no required time frame for FERC to act upon a settlement. PNM is unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding.
Firm-Requirements Wholesale Customers
Navopache Electric Cooperative, Inc. Rate Case
In September 2011, PNM filed an unexecuted amended sales agreement between PNM and NEC with FERC. The agreement proposed a cost of service based rate for the electric service and ancillary services PNM provides to NEC, which would result in an annual increase of $8.7 million or a 39.8% increase over existing rates. PNM also requested a FPPAC and full recovery of certain third-party transmission charges PNM incurs to serve NEC. NEC filed a protest to PNM’s filing with FERC. In November 2011, FERC issued an order accepting the filing, suspending the effective date to be effective April 14, 2012, subject to refund, and set the proceeding for settlement. The parties finalized a settlement agreement and PNM filed for the necessary FERC approval on December 6, 2012. The settlement agreement provided for an annual increase of $5.3 million and an extension of the contract for 10 years through December 31, 2035. On April 5, 2013, FERC approved the settlement agreement. PNM has refunded the amounts collected in excess of the settled rates concluding this matter.
City of Gallup, New Mexico Contract
PNM provided both energy and power services to Gallup, PNM’s second largest firm-requirements wholesale customer, under an electric service agreement that was to expire on June 30, 2013. On May 1, 2013, PNM and Gallup agreed to extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2014 and to increase the demand and energy rates under the agreement. On May 1, 2013, PNM requested FERC approval of the amended agreement to be effective July 1, 2013. On June 21, 2013, FERC approved the amended agreement.
On September 26, 2013, Gallup issued a request for proposals for long-term power supply. PNM submitted a proposal in November 2013. On March 26, 2014, Gallup notified PNM that the contract for long-term power supply had been awarded to another utility. PNM’s contract with Gallup ended on June 29, 2014.  PNM’s revenues for power sold under the Gallup contract were $6.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2014 and totaled $11.7 million during 2013.  PNM’s 2014 Electric Rate Case discussed above reflects a reallocation of costs among regulatory jurisdictions reflecting the termination of the contract to serve Gallup.
TNMP
Advanced Meter System Deployment
In July 2011, the PUCT approved a settlement and authorized an AMS deployment plan that permits TNMP to collect $113.4 million in deployment costs through a surcharge over a 12-year period. TNMP began collecting the surcharge on August 11, 2011. Deployment of advanced meters began in September 2011 and is scheduled to be completed over a 5-year period.
In February 2012, the PUCT opened a proceeding to consider the feasibility of an “opt-out” program for retail consumers that wish to decline receipt of an advanced meter. The PUCT requested comments and held a public meeting on various issues. However, various individuals filed a petition with the PUCT seeking a moratorium on any advanced meter deployment. The PUCT denied the petition and an appeal was filed with the Texas District Court on September 28, 2012.
On February 21, 2013, the PUCT filed a proposed rule to permit customers to opt-out of the AMS deployment. The PUCT adopted a rule on August 15, 2013 creating a non-standard metering service for retail customers choosing to decline standard metering service via an advanced meter. The cost of providing non-standard metering service will be borne by opt-out customers through an initial fee and ongoing monthly charge. All transmission and distribution utilities in ERCOT were required to initiate proceedings to establish these charges.
On September 30, 2013, TNMP filed an application to set the initial fee and monthly charges to be assessed for non-standard metering service provided to those retail customers who choose to decline the advanced meter necessary for standard metering service. TNMP’s filing sought recovery of $0.2 million through proposed initial fees ranging from $142.84 to $247.48 and an additional $0.5 million in annual ongoing expenses via a proposed monthly charge of $38.99. On June 20, 2014, the PUCT approved a settlement among the parties permitting TNMP to recover $0.2 million in costs through initial fees ranging from $63.97 to $168.61 and ongoing annual expenses of $0.5 million collected through a $36.78 monthly fee. The settlement presumes up to 1,081 consumers will elect the non-standard meter service, but preserves TNMP’s rights to adjust the fees if the number of anticipated consumers differs from that estimate. TNMP notified all appropriate customers that they could elect non-standard metering. As of February 20, 2015, 89 customers have made the election. TNMP does not expect the implementation of non-standard metering service to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Remand of ERCOT Transmission Rates for 1999 and 2000
Following various appeals, the ERCOT transmission rates approved for the fourth quarter of 1999 and 2000 were remanded back to the PUCT. In October 2011, TNMP joined in a non-unanimous settlement relating to resettlement of the fourth quarter of 1999. In January 2012, the PUCT approved the non-unanimous settlement awarding TNMP $1.6 million. In June 2012, TNMP filed its transmission cost recovery factor filing (“TCRF”) seeking $3.2 million in additional transmission costs. The PUCT staff requested a hearing asserting the settlement proceeds from the 1999 remand settlement must be credited against the costs TNMP requested in its TCRF. After further discussion, PUCT staff agreed that no credit was required since TNMP had not recovered those costs in 1999. The PUCT staff agreed to interim rate relief permitting TNMP to add $1.6 million in uncontested costs to its existing TCRF. TNMP implemented the interim rates on September 1, 2012. On November 19, 2012, the PUCT ordered that the $1.6 million in interim rates were final and authorized TNMP to institute a surcharge in March 2013 to collect the additional $1.6 million in initially disputed costs plus interest.
Energy Efficiency
TNMP recovers the costs of its energy efficiency programs through an energy efficiency cost recovery factor, which includes projected program costs, under or over collected costs from prior years, rate case expenses, and performance bonuses (if the programs exceed expectations). In September 2011, the PUCT approved a settlement that allows TNMP to collect the estimated 2012 energy efficiency program costs of $3.4 million and a $0.3 million bonus for 2010. TNMP’s new rates were effective January 1, 2012. On August 28, 2012, the PUCT approved a settlement that permitted TNMP to collect an aggregate of $5.2 million effective January 1, 2013. On October 25, 2013, the PUCT approved a settlement that permits TNMP to collect an aggregate of $5.6 million, including a performance bonus for 2012 of $0.7 million, beginning March 1, 2014. On May 30, 2014, TNMP filed its 2015 energy efficiency cost recovery factor application with the PUCT requesting recovery of $5.7 million to be collected beginning March 1, 2015. The request included an incentive bonus of $1.5 million for having achieved demand savings for the 2013 program year that exceeded the goal. On August 6, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation resolving TNMP’s application. The PUCT approved the settlement on September 11, 2014 permitting TNMP to collect $5.7 million beginning March 1, 2015. TNMP recorded the $1.5 million incentive bonus for 2013 upon approval by the PUCT.
Transmission Cost of Service Rates
TNMP can update its transmission rates twice per year to reflect changes in its invested capital. Updated rates reflect the addition and retirement of transmission facilities, including appropriate depreciation, federal income tax and other associated taxes, and the approved rate of return on such facilities. The following sets forth TNMP’s most recent interim transmission cost rate increases:
Effective Date
 
Approved Increase in Rate Base
 
Annual Increase in Revenue
 
 
(in millions)
September 27, 2012
 
$
26.4

 
$
2.5

March 20, 2013
 
21.9

 
2.9

September 17, 2013
 
18.1

 
2.8

March 13, 2014
 
18.2

 
2.9

September 8, 2014
 
25.2

 
4.2

In January 2015, TNMP filed an application to further update its transmission rates to reflect an increase in total rate base of $27.1 million, which would increase revenues by $4.4 million annually. The application is pending before the PUCT.
Periodic Distribution Rate Adjustment
In September 2011, the PUCT approved a new rule permitting interim rate adjustments to reflect changes in investments in distribution assets. The rule permits distribution utilities to file for a periodic rate adjustment between April 1 and April 8 of each year as long as the electric utility is not earning more than its authorized rate of return using weather-normalized data.
Consolidated Tax Savings Adjustment
On June 14, 2013, the Governor of Texas signed into law a bill eliminating the consolidated tax savings adjustment (“CTSA”) from electric utility ratemaking in Texas. Previously, the CTSA required electric utilities to artificially reduce their respective tax expenses due to the losses incurred by their affiliates. The bill became effective on September 1, 2013.