|
|
|
|
|
PUC Grants Extension, Sought By Retail Suppliers, Of Compliance Deadline For New Rule Requiring Highlighting On Bill, For Two Consecutive Bills, Any Changes To Rate Or Terms
The following story is brought free of charge to readers by VertexOne, the exclusive EDI provider of EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Addressing a petition from the Retail Energy Supply Association, the PUC of Ohio granted an extension of the deadline to comply with a new retail natural gas rule which requires retail gas suppliers to highlight and explain on bills, for two consecutive billing periods, any changes in rates, terms, or other conditions of service
The extension was granted through April 1, 2025.
As previously reported, in February 2024, PUCO adopted a modification to Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-29-12(B) to add language requiring that, on any bills issued "by or for retail natural gas suppliers" (including utility consolidated, dual, and supplier consolidated), the billing entity shall highlight and provide a clear explanation of any changes in the rates, terms, and conditions of service, for two consecutive billing periods
As previously reported, an ALJ already granted a waiver for compliance through January 1, 2025, so that utilities and suppliers could work through implementation. Apart from this extended compliance deadline, the rule otherwise became effective on July 15, 2024
RESA had said that due to complex issues related to implementation, including testing, a further waiver of Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-29-12(B) was needed, with RESA proposing an April 1, 2025 compliance date
RESA noted that natural gas utilities in Ohio do not use the same mechanisms to communicate the necessary information required under the rule. Some utilities use EDI, while others require coding to implement proprietary flat files, RESA said. Even when EDI is used by an LDC, there is no standard protocol for gas utilities in Ohio, RESA noted
"To complete the coding necessary for both LDC and supplier systems to send and receive the required customer notifications, the LDCs must provide suppliers with file specifications and the suppliers must then implement those specifications. In short, testing between the supplier and utility must occur," RESA said
RESA had said that no testing has occurred to date, and that not enough time remains this year to complete testing
RESA had warned that, absent an extension, compliance with the new rule provision may be "impossible" at some utilities, while implementation at other LDCs may result in a "substantial risk" of billing errors
RESA had stressed that suppliers and utilities have, "long provided customers with clear explanations of changes in the rates, terms, and conditions of service," but had said that the new requirement for such notices to be included on bills for two consecutive billing cycles, "requires substantial operational and IT work to coordinate, test and implement."
RESA had also noted that utilities, suppliers, and PUCO Staff have been diligently working to implement the new rule, but that such collaboration had revealed that additional time was needed for completion
Case No. 17-1847-GA-ORD
ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Copyright 2024 EnergyChoiceMatters.com. Unauthorized copying, retransmission, or republication
prohibited. You are not permitted to copy any work or text of EnergyChoiceMatters.com without the separate and express written consent of EnergyChoiceMatters.com
December 19, 2024
Email This Story
Copyright 2024 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com:
• NEW! -- Manager / Director of Sales, PJM Commercial
|
|
|
|
|