Summary

A long-standing dispute between four cities over costs of providing electric power was settled through mediation.

Program Highlights

• The Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) is a joint powers agency providing electrical power to its member cities of Bryan, Denton, Garland and Greenville.
• For the past twelve years, the member cities fought and litigated over how electric delivery costs are divided among the members, among other issues.
• In September 2008, the City of Bryan opposed a move by the TMPA board to refinance more than $360 million in existing debt.
• District courts in Travis and Grimes counties ordered mediation to settle the long running dispute. The dispute was successfully mediated and the agreement covers 20 cases in state court or before the Texas Public Utility Commission.

Lessons Learned

• Participants credited perseverance in working with fellow board members to end the litigation and find common ground to the benefit of member cities’ electric customers.

Resources to Learn More

• Settlement of TMPA lawsuit announced (Allbusiness.com)
• GEUS: TMPA settlement ends decade-long dispute (Herald Banner)
• Bryan sues area power agency (Denton Record-Chronicle)

The Rest of the Story…

TMPA operates power production station located outside of Bryan/College Station, Texas. The member cities each run their own electric company but jointly manage the agency through an eight-member board of directors.