Arlington votes to reject Oncor's proposed rate increases for residential and street lighting

Arlington and other cities across North Texas are opposing Oncor’s move to increase rates for both residential and street lighting electricity.

Oncor, which builds and maintains infrastructure like power lines and substations, proposed a rate increase of 12.3% for residential and 51% for street lighting, according to a staff report prepared for council.

The new rates would see residential bills go up by about $7.90 per month on average, according to the report. The increase would see Oncor bring in $834 million more in revenue, a 13% increase more than with current rates.

Texas law allows cities to work with the Oncor Cities Steering Committee and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to negotiate Oncor’s rate increases, according to David Johnson, an assistant city attorney with Arlingto