Energy Choice
                            

Matters

Archive

Daily Email

Events

 

 

 

About/Contact

Search

PSC Expands Grid Modernization Proceeding To Include Re-examination of Retail Choice Issues

February 1, 2017

Email This Story
Copyright 2010-17 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

The Maryland PSC has expanded the scope of issues to be reviewed under its electric grid transformation proceeding (PC44) to include, "competitive markets and customer choice," issues, particularly re-examining current administrative processes that discourage customers from selecting a retail supplier

The PSC listed customer choice issues as among the issues, "ripe for action in this proceeding."

"Efforts within and between topic areas should be coordinated so that there is one unified proceeding with several components, rather than several different efforts operating independently," the PSC said. Other issues that are ripe to be addressed in the proceeding include rate design, energy storage, electric vehicles, interconnection process, and distribution system planning

"Each topic area will be addressed through a separate workgroup led by a Commission Advisor. Although we recognize that this large number of new workgroups can create challenges for stakeholders, we believe that splitting into smaller groups will allow more focused and productive work environments," the PSC said

"Of course, we know that efforts to modernize Maryland’s electric distribution systems are ongoing and will continue far into the future. But the action items identified in this Notice should be finished by June 2018," the PSC said

Regarding competitive markets and customer choice issues, the PSC said, "enhancing competitive markets and customer choice may be key components of modernizing Maryland’s electric distribution systems."

"Markets and choice can help ensure that Marylanders are receiving the services they desire at an affordable cost. One critical component to achieving this is to ensure that the market has appropriate access to data," the PSC said

"Customer data, particularly from smart meters, belongs to the customer. Customers should be able to share data with third parties as easily as is safely possible. Cybersecurity is a real threat that must be taken seriously, but it should not be used as a deterrent to providing customers access to their data," the PSC said

"Retail choice has existed for almost two decades in Maryland. We support retail choice, both as consistent with Maryland’s statutory construct and because of our belief that competitive, transparent, and customer-friendly retail markets will benefit customers," the PSC said

"Now is the right time to reexamine certain aspects of Maryland’s retail choice market, particularly those administrative or process burdens (not related to consumer protection) that discourage customers from selecting a retail supplier," the PSC said, citing comments from retail suppliers which had sought seamless moves, instant connects, and implementation of online look-up tools.

In the proceeding, the PSC will consider the following possible actions:

1. Developing a statewide standard data sharing format for implementation by utilities that have deployed AMI; and

2. Considering changes to retail choice that will create a more competitive, transparent and customer-friendly market in Maryland.

ADVERTISEMENT
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com:
NEW! -- Channel Manager, Sales -- Retail Supplier
NEW! -- Manager of Billing Operations
NEW! -- Marketing Associate -- Retail Supplier -- Houston
NEW! -- Directors: Telemarketing or Broker Channel Management - Retail Electric Supplier -- Houston
NEW! -- Analysts, Sales and Marketing - Retail Electric Supplier -- Houston
NEW! -- Market Director -- Retail Energy
NEW! -- Energy Business Development Professional
NEW! -- Managers, Sales and Marketing - Retail Electric Supplier -- Houston
NEW! -- Director, Wholesale & Retail Electricity Operations
NEW! -- Director, Finance & Operations
NEW! -- Sales Support Specialist -- -- Retail Supplier
NEW! -- Sales Associate -- Retail Energy
NEW! -- Energy Sales Rep
NEW! -- Channel Sales Manager -- Retail Supplier
NEW! -- Sales/Pricing Support Coordinator
NEW! -- Marketing Coordinator
NEW! -- Channel Partner Manager -- Retail Supplier
NEW! -- Retail Energy Sales

Email This Story

HOME

Copyright 2010-16 Energy Choice Matters.  If you wish to share this story, please email or post the website link; unauthorized copying, retransmission, or republication prohibited.

 

Archive

Daily Email

Events

 

 

 

About/Contact

Search