Steve Houle joins the BRC Team

Full Bio:

Mr. Houle is an experienced utility industry executive with a demonstrated history of success in developing and implementing strategy in all aspects of economic regulation, technology development, legislative/regulatory advocacy, and project management.

During 2004 and 2005, as Vice President of Corporate Technology & Development for TXU Electric Delivery, Mr. Houle led TXU”S team in developing and negotiating TXU’s innovative agreement with Current Communications Group LLC to transform TXU Electric Delivery’s power distribution network into the nation’s first broadband-enabled Smart Grid. The CURRENT BPL network solution incorporates advanced digital communication and computing capabilities that, for the first time, provide real-time monitoring through the electric distribution network, enabling TXU Electric Delivery to improve network reliability, asset utilization, and customer service.

Mr. Houle was Vice President of Rates & Regulation for TXU Electric Delivery, TXU Business Services, TXU Gas Distribution, and TXU Lone Star Pipeline from 1999-2004.

Mr. Houle’s focus at TXU Electric was the preparation, filing, litigation, and successful resolution of the various proceedings required to implement electric restructuring in Texas. This included cases involving corporate restructuring, securitization of $1.3 billion of Regulatory Assets, recovery of over $1 billion of fuel costs, and rate unbundling. In 2002 & 2003, approval was received for retail rate increases of $940 million annually, transmission cost recovery of $22 million, and a settlement was reached resolving all outstanding issues regarding stranded nuclear plant and fuel costs. In 2004, Mr. Houle secured approval of $53.4 of transmission rate increases and $462 million of retail rate increases

At TXU Gas, Mr. Houle’s focus was to increase rates to support capital investment and increased gas costs. From 1999 through 2004, Mr. Houle initiated over 50 gas rate cases that resulted in increases of non-fuel revenue of $80 million annually and increased the sales price of TXU Gas by $500 million. In 2003, Mr. Houle negotiated a settlement at the Texas Railroad Commission to recover $1.1 billion in gas costs.

During the period 1977 to 1999, Mr. Houle held a variety of positions in the Electric Distribution, Regulatory, and Economic Regulation areas of TXU. Houle has testified in over 40 proceedings as an expert witness before various regulatory agencies and courts primarily in the areas of fuel cost recovery, pricing, cost allocation, and contract performance.

Mr. Houle has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electric Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Dallas. Mr. Houle is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.