PUCT Assesses $578,916 in Penalties for Electric Rule Violations

Public Utility Commission of Texas 1701 N. Congress, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, TX 78701 Press Release Contact: Ellie Breed March 12, 2026 Media@PUC.Texas.Gov Public Utility Commission of Texas Assesses Over Half a Million Dollars in Penalties for Electric Rule Violations AUSTIN, Texas – The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) assessed $578,916 in penalties for violations of electric rules at its open meeting this week. The Commission has primary oversight and economic regulatory authority over the state’s electricity, water, and telecommunications industries.       The Commission approved settlement agreements in 11 separate dockets:       • Docket No. 58883: A settlement agreement with a power generation company for failing to submit required emergency operations plan filings to the PUCT (16 TAC 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3)). The company agreed to pay a $49,000 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 58954: A settlement agreement with a transmission and distribution utility (TDU) for rule violations related to reliability and continuity of service standards (PURA § 38.005 and 16 TAC § 25.52).  The TDU agreed to pay a $20,000 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 58995: A settlement agreement with a power generation company for failing to submit required emergency operations plan filings to the PUCT (16 TAC 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3). The company agreed to pay a $46,900 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 59005: A settlement agreement with a qualified scheduling entity (QSE) for failing in 2022 to provide emergency response service, which is used to maintain grid stability (PURA § 39.151(j); 16 TAC §§ 25.503(f)(2), 25.503(g)(3) and 25.507(d)(6); and ERCOT Nodal Protocols §§ 8.1.3.2 and 8.1.3.1.4). The QSE agreed to pay a $90,000 administrative penalty.

• Docket No. 59017: A settlement agreement with a power generation company for failing to submit required emergency operations plan filings to the PUCT (16 TAC 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3)). The company agreed to pay a $59,450 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 59030: A settlement agreement with a power generation company for failing to submit required emergency operations plan filings to the PUCT (16 TAC 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3)). The company agreed to pay a $25,000 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 59060: A settlement agreement with a power generation company for failing to submit required emergency operations plan filings to the PUCT (16 TAC 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3)). The company agreed to pay a $142,800 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 59065: A settlement agreement with a transmission and distribution utility (TDU) for rule violations related to reliability and continuity of service standards (16 TAC § 25.52).  The TDU agreed to pay a $31,000 administrative penalty. • Docket No. 59110: A settlement agreement with a retail electric provider (REP) for failing to submit required emergency operations plan filings to the PUCT (16 TAC 25.53(c)(1) and (c)(3)). The REP agreed to pay a $10,000 administrative penalty.  • Docket No. 59127: A settlement agreement with a retail electric provider (REP) for violations related to rules on the frequency and delivery of bills (16 TAC 25.479). The REP agreed to pay a $57,766 administrative penalty. • Docket No. 59301: A settlement agreement with an electric utility for violations related to electric service quality standards (16 TAC § 25.52). The utility agreed to pay a $47,000 administrative penalty.    Administrative penalty payments are made to the PUCT and are ultimately deposited into the state’s general fund. Typically, payments must be made within 30 days of the signed final order.       A recording of this week’s open meeting is available here. The next PUCT open meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026. About the Public Utility Commission of Texas Our mission is to serve Texans by regulating the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation, and offering customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints. Since its founding in 1975, the Commission has a long and proud history of service to Texas, protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality infrastructure. To learn more, please visit https://www.puc.texas.gov.