|
|
|
|
|
PUC Issues Order On Default Service Reconciliations, "Anomalies" Reported
The following story is brought free of charge to readers by VertexOne, the exclusive EDI provider of EnergyChoiceMatters.com
The New Hampshire PUC has issued an order maintaining the status quo for electricity default service reconciliations at Unitil
The PUC had previously directed Unitil to file a position statement on whether the default service reconciliations should be made nonbypassable. Unitil, in response to a PUC directive, subsequently filed a proposal to make default service reconciliations nonbypassable
Unitil's proposal was generally opposed by the state's Dept. of Energy, the state's consumer advocate, and retail suppliers
In addressing the matter, the PUC noted that, during a hearing, "Mr. Pentz, on behalf of the Company [Unitil], revealed that in the context of discovery in this proceeding, see Hearing Exhibits 21 and 22, propounded on the Company by CPCNH, it came to the Company’s attention that there were 'some significant variances,' that is, anomalies, detected by the Company on a preliminary basis in the Default Service load and cost accounting associated with the Large (G1) Customer Group for the March 2022 to July 2023 period. Mr. Pentz further elaborated that the Company had launched an internal investigation of these anomalies, and would report Unitil’s findings to the Commission when available."
The PUC ultimately voted to maintain the status quo and maintain bypassable default service reconciliations at Unitil, including those related to RPS. Unitil's proposal was denied without prejudice to potential future changes to default service reconciliation
The PUC is, "satisfied that there were no special circumstances that required an adjustment to the reconciliation process due to the particular circumstances presented in this docket."
The PUC had previously directed that certain Unitil SOS reconciliation balances be deferred pending disposition of any potential change in SOS reconciliation. The PUC directed that such deferred balances shall be addressed in the next default service reconciliation under the current mechanism
In maintaining the status quo for default service reconciliations, the PUC stressed that, "we acknowledge that in the future, exploring changes in the frequency of Default Service reconciliations for Unitil may be warranted, as are other reforms related to carrying charges and other issues."
"For the upcoming Default Service year, however, especially in light of the integration of increased market-based procurements through ISO-New England purchases, and the upcoming results thereof, the Commission intends to maintain the contours of the Default Service program in a steady state. We do request that the Company keep the Commission informed, through public filings to be made in the DE 25-032 docket, regarding the progress of its internal accounting investigations in the Default Service field," the PUC said
DE 24-065
Copyright 2025 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
May 21, 2025
Email This Story
Copyright 2025 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
|
|
|
|
|