Valley Customers Seek to Extend TCEQ Emergency Order

Last Thursday, Trey Wilson filed a request with the TCEQ to extend the Emergency Order issued by the State Agency on November 10, 2008. That Emergency Order -- issued after unanimous vote of the TCEQ Commissioners -- requires East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation to provide "continuous and adequate water service" to two households being represented by R L Wilson P.C. Law Firm.

The TCEQ's November Emergency Order prohibits the utility from interrupting our clients' water service for a period of 180 days. In that same Order, the TCEQ determined that water supply corporations (and water utilitioes, generally) may not terminate their existing customers' water service based upon the customers' failure to grant an easement.

Our Application to Extend was filed pursuant to 30 T.A.C. § 35.22, which provides:

Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, an emergency order issued under this chapter is limited to a reasonable time specified by the order, which may not exceed 180 days and may be renewed once for an additional period not to exceed 180 days by submittal of a new application.

We expect the Application to be considered at the May 6, 2009 TCEQ Commissioners' Agenda Meeting.