RESA Asks Regulator To Schedule Supplier Working Group Meeting And Adopt A Process For Regular Schedule For Supplier Working Group Meetings

September 26, 2019

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Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

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The Retail Energy Supply Association has renewed its request for the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to schedule a Supplier Working Group meeting and establish a regular schedule for future meetings.

In its request, RESA said, "In March 2011, the Authority established a working group comprised of suppliers, aggregators, the electric distribution companies ('EDCs'), and the Office of Consumer Counsel ('OCC') 'for the purpose of having a mechanism in place to reach collaborative agreements and resolution of common issues, other than matters currently encompassed by the [Electronic Business Transactions] working group . . . .' The Authority also designated members of its staff to participate in the Supplier Working Group. Although the Authority initially held a couple of Supplier Working Group meetings, in July 2011, the agency was restructured and meetings were not held for several years."

"Recognizing the benefits the Supplier Working Group provided, in November 2014, the Authority reinstated the Supplier Working Group process. During 2015 and 2016, the Supplier Working Group met on a fairly consistent basis. However, in 2017, the effort slowed8 and a Supplier Working Group meeting has now not been held in nearly two (2) years," RESA said

"Given the value the Supplier Working Group has provided and can continue to provide in the future, on October 16, 2018, RESA requested that the Authority schedule a Supplier Working Group meeting and establish a schedule for future meetings. The Authority has not yet ruled upon that request," RESA said

"RESA continues to believe in the value of the Supplier Working Group process. In fact, it has recommended that the practice be adopted in other jurisdictions. With the working group in place, stakeholders are able to identify market trends, discuss matters in a more open forum than a technical meeting or hearing can provide (while still ensuring compliance with notice and due process requirements), and agree on actions that could correct potential issues before they become widespread. This type of dialogue, which only requires a comparatively small investment of time, facilitates more immediate and needed communications in an industry that is constantly evolving. Without such dialogue, the Authority and all stakeholders are limited to reacting; instead of proactively engaging on topics that will define the future of an energy market that can provide benefits to Connecticut consumers and other market participants," RESA said

"In particular, the Supplier Working Group has been, and can continue to be, an effective forum for discussion of policy and general market issues because if those issues are ultimately docketed, it is generally as a rulemaking or uncontested proceeding. As a consequence, more informal discussions among stakeholders and the Authority can occur without implicating the ex parte rules. However, even matters that may ultimately lead to a contested case proceeding can be discussed without implicating the ex parte rules especially if, as has been the practice, a notice and agenda are issued before the meeting and all stakeholders are permitted to participate," RESA said

RESA said that the Supplier Working Group would provide an appropriate forum to discuss the following

• License Review Application;

• Rate Board improvements;

• Renewable Portfolio Standards ('RPS') change impacts (e.g., reporting, disclosure label changes, etc.);

• Voluntary renewable product offerings;

• Consumer awareness/education outreach opportunities; and

• Other potential retail market enhancement policies (e.g., Supplier Consolidated Billing, 'Enroll with Your Wallet,' etc.).

Docket No. 17-01-03 et al.

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