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Parties Request Extension Of Current Columbia Gas Merchant Function Plan Pending Negotiations

August 27, 2018

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

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Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., Staff of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Retail Energy Supply Association, Interstate Gas Supply, Inc., Dominion Energy Solutions, Inc., Direct Energy Services, LLC, Direct Energy Business, LLC, Stand Energy Corporation and Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. (collectively, the Movants) requested from PUCO an extension through December 31, 2018, of the Amended Stipulation and Recommendation filed in Case No. 12-2637-GA-EXM, relating to Columbia's merchant function and related exemptions, on November 27, 2012, as approved by the Commission in an Opinion and Order dated January 9, 2013, and as further modified by its Entry on Rehearing dated March 20, 2013.

The Movants sought the extension because they are currently negotiating the possible next steps to follow Columbia’s above-referenced exemption proceedings.

The Amended Stipulation had provided that it, "shall be for a five-year term, commencing on April 1, 2013, and ending on March 31, 2018."

In a joint motion, the Movants said, "Certain Movants allege there is some uncertainty as to what provisions continue in the Amended Joint Stipulation and Recommendation after March 31, 2018. However, the Movants are working towards a negotiated solution to resolve their differences. Therefore, the Movants are requesting that the Commission expressly extend the Amended Joint Stipulation and Recommendation, through December 31, 2018 so that all the terms in effect as of March 31, 2018, continue uninterrupted through December 31, 2018, with the agreed-upon capacity levels updated for Columbia’s capacity contracts in effect on April 1, 2018 and any capacity contract updates through December 31, 2018. This extension would provide certainty while the Parties negotiate possible next steps with Columbia’s commodity exemption proceeding."

The Movants agree that the Commission’s disposition of the Motion to Extend is not a Commission action that modifies the ongoing Amended Stipulation and Recommendation, as is noted in the following Amended Stipulation language: "After [March 31, 2018], the provisions of this Amended Stipulation including the then-approved method of supplying commodity for standard service offer and Standard Choice Offer ('SCO') service shall continue until modified by the Commission unless otherwise stated herein." Further, Columbia’s joining the motion shall not compromise Columbia’s position that the Amended Stipulation and Recommendation continues automatically pursuant to the terms of that agreement.

The Movants agree to use best efforts to reach a negotiated solution in order to present it to the Commission by October 15, 2018.

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