Opinion ID: 1705462
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Amount of Refund to Ratepayers May 25, 2005 through September 14, 2005 [22]

Text: Entergy Louisiana has already paid a refund to its retail customers in the form of a decrease of charges to its customers from May 25, 2005 through September 14, 2005, based on 2004-2005 data for interruptible load costs. Entergy Louisiana argues that the LPSC should have used 2004-2005 test year data in ordering a refund for this time period since this data reflects interruptible load costs actually incurred at the relevant time. The LPSC responds that the new retail base rate, effective May 25, 2005, was fixed using 2002 test year data, including 2002 interruptible load costs, submitted by Entergy Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana's customers paid the new rate, established using the 2002 test year data. LPSC argues that the retail customers should obtain a refund for the amounts they actually paid, rather than for the costs Entergy Louisiana incurred in 2004-2005. We find that Entergy Louisiana's argument is without merit. Entergy Louisiana cannot use 2004-2005 data to refund costs paid for interruptible load by retail customers who have paid these costs based on 2002 data. The decision by the LPSC to base the amount of refund on the 2002 test year data figures was not arbitrary or capricious, and is supported by the record.