College Station, Texas, August 3, 2025
News Summary
Glenn Gavit has been appointed as the permanent director of College Station’s electric utility after serving as the interim director since May. His appointment comes amidst a lawsuit against the Texas Public Utility Commission regarding a $26 million refund order. The city council is set to discuss the financial implications of this ruling in an upcoming meeting, while emergency management advises residents to stay informed about safety threats. Additionally, Texas A&M University is exploring small modular reactor plants at its RELLIS campus.
College Station, Texas – Glenn Gavit has officially been appointed as the permanent director of the City of College Station’s electric utility. Gavit has been serving in this capacity as interim director since Timothy Crabb’s retirement in May of this year.
Gavit joined College Station Utilities (CSU) as the electric substation and metering superintendent in 2019, where he quickly worked his way up. He was promoted to assistant director in 2020 and then to deputy director in 2024, showcasing his commitment and abilities within the utility.
Amid Gavit’s appointment, the City of College Station is embroiled in an ongoing lawsuit against the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC), filed in Travis County. This lawsuit is a response to a PUC order demanding the city to refund over $26 million in electric transmission revenue. This revenue is reportedly connected to transactions dating as far back as 1996, which were previously endorsed by former PUC board members.
The city alleges that the current PUC board failed to heed recommendations made by an administrative judge from the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) regarding the legal implications of the refund. According to city officials, this refund will be divided amongst 34 other electric companies.
To mitigate the potential financial repercussions of the PUC’s ruling, the College Station city council is scheduled to discuss the refund issue in its upcoming meeting on September 26. Paying the refund could prevent the city from incurring an additional $7 million in interest and will enable the city’s lawsuit against the PUC to proceed. Officials have also indicated that the PUC’s order will not affect current electric rates for residents and that, should the lawsuit fail, it could hinder future projects within the electric department.
Mayor John Nichols and City Manager Bryan Woods expressed that the financial situation might not be unique to College Station, as the city could be the first of several municipal electric companies facing fines from the PUC. It’s noteworthy that the members of the PUC are appointed by the governor of Texas, lending weight to their decisions.
As of September 20, the PUC had not issued a public response to the city’s lawsuit.
In additional news related to community safety, emergency management coordinator Jason Ware has urged residents to sign up for emergency notifications and to practice evacuation plans due to ongoing flood threats and the current hurricane season.
In the aftermath of the Bryan mass workplace shooting that occurred in April 2021, all criminal charges have been resolved. Larry Bollin pled guilty to attempted capital murder, resulting in a life sentence. Meanwhile, a College Station man named Dylan Golden has been arrested for charges of family violence aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. This marks his twelfth arrest since November 2011.
In a forward-looking development, the Texas A&M University System has unveiled plans to explore the construction of small modular reactor plants (SMRs) at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus. This initiative, dubbed “The Energy Proving Ground,” aims to implement advanced reactors within a timeframe of five to seven years. The developers selected for the SMR project include Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Natura Resources, and Aalo Atomics. The Early Site Permit (ESP) process has commenced with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), with operational phases anticipated in the early to mid-2030s.
FAQs
Who is Glenn Gavit?
Glenn Gavit is the newly appointed permanent director of the City of College Station’s electric utility, having served as interim director since May.
What is the lawsuit against the Texas PUC about?
The city of College Station has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) seeking to reverse an order requiring the city to refund over $26 million in electric transmission revenue.
What does the PUC order entail?
The PUC order mandates that College Station refund over $26 million to 34 other electric companies, based on revenues connected to transactions dating back to 1996.
What will happen if the lawsuit is unsuccessful?
If the lawsuit is unsuccessful, it could impede future projects from the electric department and impose an additional financial burden on the city.
How is the community being informed about safety threats?
Emergency management coordinator Jason Ware has encouraged residents to sign up for emergency notifications and practice evacuation plans, given ongoing flood threats and hurricane season.
What are the plans for small modular reactors?
The Texas A&M University System is exploring the development of small modular reactors at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus, with plans for deployment in the next five to seven years.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| New Director Appointed | Glenn Gavit as permanent director of College Station Electric Utility |
| Lawsuit Filing | City sues Texas PUC to reverse $26 million refund order |
| PUC Order Background | Refund connected to transactions since 1996 |
| City Council Meeting | Discussion on the PUC refund set for September 26 |
| Community Safety | Emergency notifications and evacuation plans emphasized by officials |
| SMR Development Plans | Texas A&M System exploring small modular reactors at RELLIS campus |
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Additional Resources
- KBTX News: Glenn Gavit Named Director
- Wikipedia: Public utility
- WTAW News: College Station Lawsuit
- Google Search: Texas Public Utility Commission
- KXXV News: College Station PUC Order Details
- Google Scholar: PUC Refund Order
- Power Magazine: Texas A&M SMR Initiative
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Modular Reactors
- KBTX News: College Station Refund Fight
- Google News: College Station $26M Refund
Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER
The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
