| Risk Factor | Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Load Factor | 0.0 | No minimum requirement in CenterPoint TDSP tariff |
| Demand Charge Premium | 0.0 | No premium over standard industrial delivery rates |
| Upgrade Cost Share | 0.25 | Standard CIAC + socialized 4CP transmission; dedicated facility costs at customer expense |
| Pending Regulatory Cases | 0.75 | 2 active PUCT proceedings (PUCT 56725, PUCT 55927) |
| Total Risk Score | 1.0 | Tier 2 |
| Utility Name | Type | Role | Large-Load Rider | Min Load Factor | Upgrade Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEP TEXAS CENTRAL COMPANY | INVESTOR OWNED | Alternate TDSP | None | N/A | Standard CIAC |
| CENTERPOINT ENERGY | INVESTOR OWNED | Primary TDSP | None — deregulated market; no large-load rider | N/A | Socialized (4CP) + dedicated facility CIAC |
| WHARTON COUNTY ELEC COOP, INC | COOPERATIVE | Cooperative | None | N/A | Member contribution |
| JACKSON ELECTRIC COOP, INC - (TX) | COOPERATIVE | Cooperative | None | N/A | Member contribution |
| TEXAS-NEW MEXICO POWER CO | INVESTOR OWNED | Alternate TDSP | None | N/A | Standard CIAC |
The the site is located in southern Brazoria County, Texas, within the ERCOT deregulated electricity market. CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric serves as the primary Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) for this area, with Texas-New Mexico Power and AEP Texas Central providing alternate TDSP coverage. Two electric cooperatives (Jackson Electric and Wharton County Electric) also have overlapping service territories.
Texas's deregulated market structure is favorable for large loads: there is no traditional "large-load rider" or special tariff schedule requiring minimum load factors or take-or-pay provisions. CenterPoint's applicable delivery tariffs are Rate PRIM (Primary Service, for loads at 4 kV+ distribution voltage) and Rate TRANS (Transmission Service, for loads at 69 kV+ transmission voltage). Generation is procured competitively through Retail Electric Providers (REPs) at market-based rates. Transmission costs are allocated via ERCOT's Four Coincident Peak (4CP) methodology, which large loads can manage through strategic load curtailment during summer peak periods.
Two active PUCT proceedings introduce moderate regulatory uncertainty. PUCT Project No. 56725 is a rulemaking addressing transmission cost allocation for Large Flexible Loads (LFLs), which could modify how large data center and industrial loads pay for transmission infrastructure. PUCT Docket No. 55927 is CenterPoint Energy's distribution rate case, which could adjust delivery charge levels for all customer classes. Standard Contribution in Aid of Construction (CIAC) provisions require customer-funded dedicated distribution infrastructure upgrades, though this is typical for greenfield large-load development nationwide.