e10vk
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
Or
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number of issuing entity: 333-147114
CENTERPOINT ENERGY TRANSITION BOND COMPANY III, LLC
(Exact name of issuing entity as specified in its charter)
CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
(Exact name of depositor and sponsor as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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83-0492914 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization)
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Identification No.) |
1111 Louisiana
Suite 4689A
Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
Issuing
entitys telephone number, including area code:
(713) 207-5747
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of
the Securities Act.
o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer þ
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
o Yes þ No
The registrant does not have any voting or non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates.
Documents incorporated by reference: A portion of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.s Proxy Statement
relating to the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. has been
incorporated by reference in Item 11 of Part III of this report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 1B. |
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Unresolved Staff Comments. |
Not applicable.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 3. |
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Legal Proceedings. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 4. |
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Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
PART II
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Item 5. |
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Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 6. |
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Selected Financial Data. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 7. |
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Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 7A. |
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 8. |
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 9. |
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Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 9A. |
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Controls and Procedures. |
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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Item 9B. |
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Other Information. |
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC (the Company or Issuing Entity) currently
has four managers. Pursuant to the Companys limited liability company agreement, the Companys
affairs will be managed by managers to be appointed from time to time by CenterPoint Energy Houston
Electric, LLC (CenterPoint Houston). In the event that CenterPoint Houston transfers its
interest in the Company, the new owner or owners will appoint the Companys managers. The Company
will have at least one independent manager at all times who, among other things, is not and has not
been for at least five years prior to the date of his or her appointment:
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a direct or indirect legal or beneficial owner of the Company, CenterPoint Houston,
any of the Companys respective affiliates or any of CenterPoint Houstons affiliates, |
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a relative, supplier, employee, officer, director, manager (other than as an
independent director or manager of the Company, CenterPoint Houston or any of its
affiliates, as the case may be), contractor or material creditor of the Company,
CenterPoint Houston or any of its affiliates, or |
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a person who controls (whether directly, indirectly or otherwise) CenterPoint
Houston or any of its affiliates or any creditor, employee, officer, director, manager
or material supplier or contractor of CenterPoint Houston or its affiliates; provided,
that the indirect or beneficial ownership of stock of CenterPoint Houston or its
affiliates through a mutual fund or similar diversified investment vehicle with respect
to which the owner does not have discretion or control over the investments held by
such diversified investment vehicle shall not preclude such owner from being an
independent manager. |
The following are the managers and principal executive officers of the Company as of February 28,
2009:
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Name |
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Title and Background |
Bernard J. Angelo
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39 |
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Independent Manager of the Company; Partner
at Global Securitization Services, LLC since
2002. |
Gary L. Whitlock
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59 |
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Manager, President of the Company; Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. since September
2002. |
Walter L. Fitzgerald
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51 |
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Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer of the Company; Vice
President and Controller of CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. since 2001 and Senior Vice
President and Chief Accounting Officer since
2007. |
Marc Kilbride
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56 |
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Manager, Vice President and Treasurer of the Company; Vice President and Treasurer of
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. since June 2002. |
Scott E. Rozzell
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59 |
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Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company; Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. since
September 2002. |
Code of Conduct
The Company is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Houston which is wholly-owned
indirectly by CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CenterPoint Energy). The Board of Directors of
CenterPoint Energy (the Board) has adopted an Ethics and Compliance Code which applies to all of
its subsidiaries. The Ethics and Compliance Code, which includes key information about its
corporate governance initiatives, can be found on CenterPoint Energys website
(www.centerpointenergy.com) or upon written request.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Bernard J. Angelo serves as the independent manager of the Company, and the Company pays an annual
fee of $3,500 to Global Securitization Services, LLC for
Mr. Angelos services. As independent manager, Mr. Angelo will be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all claims, liabilities,
losses, damages, judgments, settlements, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees
and disbursements) that he may sustain or incur as a result of (i) his service as independent
manager or special member of the Company or (ii) any act or omission that he is alleged to have
taken or omitted to take as independent manager or special member of the Company. Messrs.
Whitlock, Fitzgerald, Kilbride and Rozzell are employees of CenterPoint Energy. They do not receive
any compensation from the Company for their services as executive officers of the Company, and they
do not receive any additional or separate compensation from CenterPoint Energy in respect of the
services that they perform for the Company.
For information regarding CenterPoint Energys executive compensation, see the sections entitled
Compensation of Directors, Director Compensation Table, Stock Ownership, Compensation
Discussion and Analysis, Executive Compensation Tables and Director Compensation Table in
CenterPoint Energys Proxy Statement relating to the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders of
CenterPoint Energy, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2009, and which
sections are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters.
None.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
None.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) |
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Documents filed as a part of this report: |
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1. |
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Financial Statements.
Not applicable. |
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Financial Statement Schedules.
Not applicable. |
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3. |
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Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K (exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed
herewith and the others are incorporated by reference): |
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3.1 |
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of the Issuing Entity filed with
the Delaware Secretary of State on February 11, 2008. |
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3.2 |
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Issuing Entity
dated as of February 12, 2008. |
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4.1 |
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Indenture dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between the Issuing Entity and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. |
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4.2 |
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First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between the
Issuing Entity and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas providing for the issuance of
the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds. |
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4.3 |
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Form of the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds. |
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10.1 |
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Transition Property Sale Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between
the Issuing Entity and CenterPoint Houston, as seller. |
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10.2 |
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Transition Property Servicing Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and
between the Issuing Entity and CenterPoint Houston, as servicer. |
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10.3 |
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Administration Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between the
Issuing Entity and CenterPoint Houston, as administrator. |
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10.4 |
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Intercreditor Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and among the Issuing
Entity, CenterPoint Houston, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and various other
parties named therein. |
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*31.1 |
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Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d)/15d-14(d). |
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*33.1 |
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Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed
securities for CenterPoint Houston. |
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*33.2 |
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Assertion of compliance with applicable servicing criteria for Deutsche Bank
Trust Company Americas. |
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*34.1 |
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Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for
asset-backed securities of Deloitte & Touche LLP on behalf of CenterPoint Houston. |
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*34.2 |
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Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for
asset-backed securities of KPMG LLP on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. |
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*35.1 |
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Servicer compliance statement. |
(b) |
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Exhibits required by this Form and Item 601 of Regulation S-K (exhibits marked with an
asterisk are filed herewith): |
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3.1 |
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of the Issuing Entity filed with
the Delaware Secretary of State on February 11, 2008 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 included as an exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 12, 2008). |
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3.2 |
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Issuing Entity
dated as of February 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 included as an
exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
February 12, 2008). |
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4.1 |
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Indenture dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between the Issuing Entity and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 included
as an exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
February 12, 2008). |
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4.2 |
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First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between the
Issuing Entity and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas providing for the issuance of
the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
included as an exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on February 12, 2008). |
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4.3 |
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Form of the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds (included as Exhibit A
to the First Supplemental Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2) (incorporated by reference to
the exhibit with the same numerical designation included as an exhibit to the Issuing
Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 12, 2008). |
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10.1 |
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Transition Property Sale Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between
the Issuing Entity and CenterPoint Houston, as seller (incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.1 included as an exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 12, 2008). |
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10.2 |
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Transition Property Servicing Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and
between the Issuing Entity and CenterPoint Houston, as servicer (incorporated by
reference to exhibit 10.2 included as an exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 12, 2008). |
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10.3 |
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Administration Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and between the
Issuing Entity and CenterPoint Houston, as administrator (incorporated by reference to
exhibit 10.3 included as an exhibit to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 12, 2008). |
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10.4 |
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Intercreditor Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 by and among the Issuing
Entity, CenterPoint Houston, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and various other
parties named therein (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.4 included as an exhibit
to the Issuing Entitys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 12,
2008). |
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*31.1 |
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Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d)/15d-14(d). |
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*33.1 |
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Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed
securities for CenterPoint Houston. |
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*33.2 |
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Assertion of compliance with applicable servicing criteria for Deutsche Bank
Trust Company Americas. |
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*34.1 |
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Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for
asset-backed securities of Deloitte & Touche LLP on behalf of CenterPoint Houston. |
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*34.2 |
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Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for
asset-backed securities of KPMG LLP on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. |
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*35.1 |
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Servicer compliance statement. |
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(c) |
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Not applicable. |
Item 1112(b). Significant Obligors of Pool Assets.
None.
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Item 1114(b)(2). |
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Credit Enhancement and Other Support, Except for Certain Derivatives Instruments. |
None.
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Item 1115(b). |
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Certain Derivatives Instruments. |
None.
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Item 1117. |
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Legal Proceedings. |
None.
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Item 1119. |
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Affiliations and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. |
The Company is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Houston, which is wholly-owned
indirectly by CenterPoint Energy. CenterPoint Houston also serves as the Companys servicer,
depositor and sponsor.
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Item 1122. |
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Compliance with Applicable Servicing Criteria. |
See Exhibits 33.1, 33.2, 34.1 and 34.2 under Item 15.
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Item 1123. |
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Servicer Compliance Statement. |
See Exhibit 35.1 under Item 15.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, this 31st day of March 2009.
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CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC |
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(Depositor) |
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/s/ Marc Kilbride
Name: Marc Kilbride
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Title: Vice President and Treasurer |
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(Senior officer in charge of securitization) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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* 31.1 |
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Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(d)/15d-14(d) |
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* 33.1 |
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Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities
for CenterPoint Houston. |
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* 33.2 |
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Assertion of compliance with applicable servicing criteria for Deutsche Bank Trust
Company Americas. |
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* 34.1 |
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Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed
securities of Deloitte & Touche LLP on behalf of CenterPoint Houston. |
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* 34.2 |
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Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for
asset-backed securities of KPMG LLP on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas. |
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* 35.1 |
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Servicer compliance statement. |
exv31w1
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(d)/15d-14(d)
I, Marc Kilbride, Vice President and Treasurer of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, as
servicer (the Servicer), certify that:
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I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K and all reports on Form 10-D required to be
filed in respect of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K of CenterPoint Energy
Transition Bond Company III, LLC (the Exchange Act Periodic Reports); |
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2. |
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Based on my knowledge, the Exchange Act Periodic Reports, taken as a whole, do not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
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3. |
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Based on my knowledge, all of the distribution, servicing and other information
required to be provided under Form 10-D for the period covered by this report is included
in the Exchange Act Periodic Reports; |
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4. |
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Based on my knowledge and the servicer compliance statement required in this report
under Item 1123 of Regulation AB, and except as disclosed in the Exchange Act Periodic
Reports, the Servicer has fulfilled its obligations under the Transition Property Servicing
Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 between CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company
III, LLC, as the Issuing Entity, and the Servicer, in all material respects; and |
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5. |
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All of the reports on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed
securities and their related attestation reports on assessment of compliance with servicing
criteria for asset-backed securities required to be included in this report in accordance
with Item 1122 of Regulation AB and Exchange Act Rule 13a-18 and 15d-18 have been included
as an exhibit to this report, except as otherwise disclosed in this report. Any material
instances of noncompliance described in such reports have been disclosed in this report on
Form 10-K. |
Executed as of this 31st day of March, 2009.
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CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, as servicer |
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By:
Name:
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/s/ Marc Kilbride
Marc Kilbride
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Title:
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Vice President and Treasurer |
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exv33w1
EXHIBIT 33.1
REPORT ON ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH SERVICING CRITERIA
FOR ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (the Servicer), as a party participating in the
servicing function under Item 1122 of Regulation AB, hereby reports on its assessment of compliance
with the servicing criteria specified in paragraph (d) of Item 1122 of Regulation AB, as follows:
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The Servicer is responsible for assessing compliance with the servicing criteria
applicable to it. The servicing criteria specified in the following paragraphs of paragraph
(d) of Item 1122 of Regulation AB are not applicable to the Servicer based on the
activities it performs with respect to asset-backed securities transactions taken as a
whole involving the Servicer and that are backed by the same asset type backing the
approximately $488 million original principal amount of CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond
Company III, LLCs transition bonds (the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds): (1)(ii)
(outsourcing), (1)(iii) (back-up servicing), (1)(iv) (fidelity bond), (2)(ii) (wire
transfer disbursements), (2)(vi) (unissued checks), (3)(ii) (allocation and remittance),
(3)(iii) (disbursements to investors), (4)(iii) (additions, removals or substitutions),
(4)(v) (records regarding pool assets), (4)(ix) (adjustments to interest rates), (4)(xi)
(payments on behalf of obligors), (4)(xii) (late payment penalties), (4)(xiii) (obligor
disbursements) and (4)(xv) (external credit enhancement); |
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The Servicer used the criteria in paragraph (d) of Item 1122 of Regulation AB to assess
compliance with the applicable servicing criteria; |
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The Servicer has determined that it
is in compliance with the applicable servicing criteria as of December 31, 2008 and for the
period February 12, 2008 through December 31, 2008, which is the period covered by this
report on Form 10-K; and |
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4. |
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Deloitte & Touche LLP, a registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation
report on the Servicers assessment of compliance with the applicable servicing criteria as
of December 31, 2008 and for the period February 12, 2008 through December 31, 2008, which
is the period covered by this report on Form 10-K. |
Executed as of this 31st
day of March, 2009.
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CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, as servicer |
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By:
Name:
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/s/ Marc Kilbride
Marc Kilbride |
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Title:
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Vice President and Treasurer |
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exv33w2
Exhibit 33.2
MANAGEMENTS ASSERTION OF COMPLIANCE
Management of the Trust & Securities Services department of Deutsche Bank National Trust Company
and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (collectively the Company) is responsible for assessing
compliance with the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of Regulation AB promulgated by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Management has determined that the servicing criteria are
applicable in regard to the servicing platform for the period as follows:
Platform: Publicly-issued (i.e., transaction-level reporting required under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial
mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities issued on or after January 1, 2006
for which the Company provides trustee, securities administration, paying agent or custodian
services, as defined in the transaction agreements, excluding publicly-issued securities sponsored
or issued by any government sponsored entity (the Platform).
Applicable Servicing Criteria: All servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d), except
for the following criteria: 1122(d)(2)(iii), 1122(d)(4)(iv), 1122(d)(4)(v), 1122(d)(4)(vi),
1122(d)(4)(vii), 1122(d)(4)(viii), 1122(d)(4)(ix), 1122(d)(4)(x), 1122(d)(4)(xi), 1122(d)(4)(xii),
1122(d)(4)(xiii) and 1122(d)(4)(xiv), which management has determined are not applicable to the
activities the Company performs with respect to the Platform (the Applicable Servicing Criteria).
With respect to applicable servicing criterion 1122(d)(1)(iii), there were no activities performed
during the year ended December 31, 2008 with respect to the Platform, because there were no
occurrences of events that would require the Company to perform such activities.
Period: Year ended December 31, 2008 (the Period).
Managements interpretation of Applicable Servicing Criteria: The Companys management has
determined that servicing criteria 1122(d)(1)(iii) is applicable only with respect to its
continuing obligation to act as, or locate a, successor servicer under the circumstances referred
to in certain governing documents. It is managements interpretation that the Company has no other
active back-up servicing responsibilities in regards to 1122(d)(1)(iii) as of and for the Period.
The Companys management has determined that servicing criterion 1122(d)(4)(iii) is applicable to
the activities the Company performs with respect to the Platform only as it relates to the
Companys obligation to report additions, removals or substitutions on reports to investors in
accordance with the transactions agreements.
Third parties classified as vendors: With respect to servicing criteria 1122(d)(2)(i),
1122(d)(4)(i), and 1122(d)(4)(ii), management has engaged various vendors to perform the activities
required by these servicing criteria. The Companys management has determined that none of these
vendors is considered a servicer as defined in Item 1101(j) of Regulation AB, and the Companys
management has elected to take responsibility for assessing compliance with the servicing criteria
applicable to each vendor as permitted by Interpretation 17.06 of the SEC Division of Corporation
Finance Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations (Interpretation 17.06).
Management has policies and procedures in place designed to provide reasonable assurance that the
vendors activities comply in all material respects with the servicing criteria applicable to each
vendor. The Companys management is solely responsible for determining that it meets the SEC
requirements to apply Interpretation 17.06 for the vendors and related criteria.
With respect to the Platform and the Period, the Companys management provides the following
assertion of compliance with respect to the Applicable Servicing Criteria:
1. The Companys management is responsible for assessing the Companys compliance with the
Applicable Servicing Criteria as of and for the Period.
2. The Companys management has assessed compliance with the Applicable Servicing Criteria as of
and for the Period, including servicing criteria for which compliance is determined based on
Interpretation 17.06 as described above. In performing this assessment, management used the
criteria set forth by the Securities and Exchange Commission in paragraph (d) of Item 1122 of
Regulation AB.
3. The Company has complied, in all material respects, with the Applicable Servicing Criteria as
of and for the Period, except as follows: For servicing criterion 1122(d)(1)(i), policies and
procedures were not instituted to monitor certain events of default in that notification of the
event of default was not provided to the certificateholders within the timeframe required by the
transaction agreements.
KPMG LLP, a registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report with respect to the
Companys compliance with the Applicable Servicing Criteria as of and for the Period.
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DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY
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/s/ Gary R. Vaughan
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Gary R. Vaughan |
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Its: Managing Director |
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/s/ David Co
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David Co |
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Its: Director |
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/s/ Matt Bowen
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Matt Bowen |
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Its: Director |
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/s/ Kevin Fischer
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Kevin Fischer |
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Its: Director |
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/s/ Robert Frier
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Robert Frier |
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Its: Director |
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DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
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/s/ Kevin C. Weeks
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Kevin C. Weeks |
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Its: Managing Director |
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/s/ Jenna Kaufman |
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Jenna Kaufman |
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Its: Director |
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Dated: February 27, 2009
exv34w1
Exhibit 34.1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Member of
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC
Houston, Texas
We have examined managements
assertion, included as Exhibit 33.1 and titled, Report on Assessment of
Compliance with Servicing Criteria for Asset-Backed Securities, that CenterPoint Energy Houston
Electric, LLC (the Company) complied with the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of the
Securities and Exchange Commissions Regulation AB applicable for the approximately $488 million
original principal amount of CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLCs transition bonds
(the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds) as of December 31, 2008 and for the period February
12, 2008 (issuance date of the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds) through December 31, 2008,
excluding criteria 1122(d)(1)(ii) (outsourcing), (1)(iii) (back-up servicing), (1)(iv) (fidelity
bond), (2)(ii) (wire transfer disbursements), (2)(vi) (unissued checks), (3)(ii) (allocation and
remittance), (3)(iii) (disbursements to investors), (4)(iii) (additions, removals or
substitutions), (4)(v) (records regarding pool assets), (4)(ix) (adjustments to interest rates),
(4)(xi) (payments on behalf of obligors), (4)(xii) (late payment penalties), (4)(xiii) (obligor
disbursements), and (4)(xv) (external credit enhancement), which management has determined are not
applicable to the activities performed by the Company with respect to the 2008 Senior Secured
Transition Bonds. Management is responsible for the Companys compliance with the servicing
criteria. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on managements assertion about the
Companys compliance with the servicing criteria based on our examination.
Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), and, accordingly, included examining, on a test basis, evidence about the
Companys compliance with the applicable servicing criteria, including tests on a sample basis of
the servicing activities related to the 2008 Senior Secured Transition Bonds, determining whether
the Company performed those selected activities in compliance with the servicing criteria during
the specified period, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. Further, an examination is not designed to detect noncompliance arising from errors
that may have occurred prior to the period specified above that may have affected the balances or
amounts calculated or reported by the Company during the period covered by this report. We believe
that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Our examination does not provide
a legal determination on the Companys compliance with the servicing criteria.
In our opinion, managements assertion that the Company complied with the aforementioned applicable
servicing criteria as of December 31, 2008 and for the period February 12, 2008 through December
31, 2008 for the approximately $488 million original principal amount of CenterPoint Energy
Transition Bond Company III, LLCs transition bonds is fairly stated, in all material respects.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Houston, Texas
March 31, 2009
exv34w2
Exhibit 34.2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
The Trust & Securities Services department of Deutsche Bank
National Trust Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas:
We have examined the compliance of the Trust & Securities Services department of Deutsche Bank
National Trust Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (collectively the Company) with
the servicing criteria set forth in Item 1122(d) of the Securities and Exchange Commissions
Regulation AB for publicly-issued (i.e., transaction-level reporting required under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial
mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities issued on or after January 1, 2006,
for which the Company provides trustee, securities administration, paying agent or custodian
services, as defined in the transaction agreements, excluding publicly-issued transactions
sponsored or issued by any government sponsored entity (the Platform), except for servicing
criteria 1122(d)(2)(iii) and 1122(d)(4)(iv) 1122(d)(4)(xiv), which the Company has determined are
not applicable to the activities it performs with respect to the Platform, as of and for the year
ended December 31, 2008. The Company has determined the following servicing criteria to be
applicable only to the activities the Company performs with respect to the Platform as described
below:
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Servicing criterion 1122(d)(1)(iii) is applicable only with respect to the Companys
continuing obligation to act as, or locate a, successor servicer under the circumstances
referred to in certain transaction agreements. It is managements interpretation that the
Company has no other active back-up servicing responsibilities in regards to 1122(d)(1)(iii)
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. Furthermore, Managements Assertion of
Compliance indicates that there were no activities performed related to this criterion during
the year ended December 31, 2008 with respect to the Platform, because there were no
occurrences of events that would require the Company to perform such activities. |
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Servicing criterion 1122(d)(4)(iii) is applicable to the activities the Company performs
with respect to the Platform only as it relates to the Companys obligation to report
additions, removals or substitutions on reports to investors in accordance with the
transactions agreements. |
Management is responsible for the Companys compliance with those servicing criteria. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys compliance based on our examination.
Our examination was conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) and, accordingly, included examining, on a test basis, evidence
about the Companys compliance with the servicing criteria specified above and
performing such
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. Our examination included testing
selected asset-backed transactions and securities that comprise the Platform, testing selected
servicing activities related to the Platform, and determining whether
the Company processed those selected transactions and performed those selected activities in
compliance with the servicing criteria. Furthermore, our procedures were limited to the selected
transactions and servicing activities performed by the Company during the period covered by this
report. Our procedures were not designed to determine whether errors may have occurred either
prior to or subsequent to our tests that may have affected the balances or amounts calculated or
reported by the Company during the period covered by this report for the selected transactions or
any other transactions. We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion. Our examination does not provide a legal determination on the Companys compliance with
the servicing criteria.
As described in the accompanying Managements Assertion of Compliance for servicing criteria
1122(d)(2)(i), 1122(d)(4)(i) and 1122(d)(4)(ii), the Company has engaged various vendors to perform
the activities required by these servicing criteria. The Company has determined that none of these
vendors is considered a servicer as defined in Item 1101(j) of Regulation AB, and the Company has
elected to take responsibility for assessing compliance with the servicing criteria applicable to
each vendor as permitted by Interpretation 17.06 of the SEC Division of Corporation Finance Manual
of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations (Interpretation 17.06). As permitted by
Interpretation 17.06, the Company has asserted that it has policies and procedures in place
designed to provide reasonable assurance that the vendors activities comply in all material
respects with the servicing criteria applicable to each vendor. The Company is solely responsible
for determining that it meets the SEC requirements to apply Interpretation 17.06 for the vendors
and related criteria as described in its assertion, and we performed no procedures with respect to
the Companys eligibility to apply Interpretation 17.06.
Our examination disclosed the following material noncompliance with servicing criterion
1122(d)(1)(i), as applicable to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2008. Policies and
procedures were not instituted to monitor certain events of default in that notification of the
event of default was not provided to the certificate holders within the timeframe required by the
transaction agreements.
In our opinion, except for the material noncompliance described above, the Company complied, in all
material respects, with the aforementioned servicing criteria, including servicing criteria
1122(d)(2)(i), 1122(d)(4)(i) and 1122(d)(4)(ii) for which compliance is determined based on
Interpretation 17.06 as described above, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008.
(Signed) KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 27, 2009
exv35w1
EXHIBIT 35.1
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected and acting Vice President and
Treasurer of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC as servicer (the Servicer) under the
Transition Property Servicing Agreement dated as of February 12, 2008 (the Servicing Agreement)
between the Servicer and CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC (the Issuer) and
further that:
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A review of the activities of the Servicer and of its performance under the Servicing
Agreement during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 has been made under the
supervision of the undersigned pursuant to Section 3.03 of the Servicing Agreement; and |
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To the best of the undersigneds knowledge, based on such review, the Servicer has
fulfilled all of its obligations in all material respects under the Servicing Agreement
throughout the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, except as set forth on Annex A
hereto. |
Executed
as of this 31st day of March, 2009.
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CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, as servicer |
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By:
Name: |
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/s/ Marc Kilbride
Marc Kilbride |
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Title: |
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Vice President and Treasurer |
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ANNEX A
to Certificate of Compliance
LIST OF SERVICER DEFAULTS
The following Servicer Defaults, or events which with the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or
both, would become Servicer Defaults known to the undersigned occurred during the year ended
December 31, 2008:
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Nature of Default |
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None. |
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