|
|
|
|
|
Utility To Allow Non-Commodity Services To Be Billed On Utility Consolidated Bill, Subject To Conditions
The following story is brought free of charge to readers by VertexOne, the exclusive EDI provider of EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Columbia Gas in Pennsylvania has informed the Pennsylvania PUC that Columbia will allow third parties, including retail natural gas suppliers, to bill non-commodity services through Columbia's utility bill in Pennsylvania (called "on-bill" billing)
Prior to 2019, Columbia had limited, to only two select third-party providers, the availability of "on-bill" billing
However, as previously reported, the Pennsylvania PUC had in 2018 found that Columbia's earlier practice in the offering of "on-bill" billing was, "discriminatory."
The PUC had earlier directed Columbia to resolve the matter in a nondiscriminatory manner. Rather than opening on-bill billing to allow all providers to use the service, Columbia in 2019 elected to cease the offering of on-bill billing to any third party, thus complying with the PUC's nondiscrimination order
See details on the prior PUC order here
However, Columbia has now notified the Pennsylvania PUC that Columbia intends to change its practice, and to now permit on-bill
billing by third parties.
"Columbia will provide
such a service to all entities that desire the service on a non-discriminatory basis," Columbia said
The on-bill billing service will be open to any third party, not only retail natural gas suppliers.
Columbia noted that, under applicable law, a customer’s service may not be
terminated for nonpayment of nonbasic charges.
Columbia further said that it shall apply various limitations and conditions with respect to requests for on-bill billing, as discussed below
Columbia will offer on-bill billing via a, "written, contractual framework," and provided to the PUC a, "general outline," of
the, "standard terms and conditions," that will apply to any third-party requests for on-bill
billing
As further detailed below, Columbia will impose the following fees for on-bill billing: an initial set-up fee, an annual fee for the billing systems, a base access fee to integrate with Columbia's IT systems, an annual IT integration maintenance fee, and a monthly per-customer billing fee.
Columbia did not list the amount of any fees in its notice
Columbia said that contracts for the on-bill billing service would have, "[a] long initial term, typically spanning multiple years".
Columbia would impose insurance requirements as part of the on-bill billing service contracts, as follows: "comprehensive insurance coverage, including
general liability, auto liability, umbrella/excess liability, cyber liability,
professional liability, and workers’ compensation that conforms with company
standards".
More specifically, Columbia specifically listed the general outline of
the standard terms and conditions that will apply to any third-party requests for on-bill
billing as follows:
Entry Fee and Annual Billing Fees
Third parties are required to pay a one-time entry fee to cover Columbia’s
internal and external costs associated with integrating the third party into
Columbia’s billing system. Additionally, an annual billing fee is charged to
support baseline billing system services and is invoiced in equal monthly
installments.
Monthly Per-Customer Billing Fee
A recurring monthly fee is assessed for each customer billed through Columbia’s
system. This fee is designed to recover the incremental cost of including and
processing third-party charges on customer bills.
IT Integration, Maintenance and Modification Costs
Third parties must cover the cost of access to customer-facing systems such as
websites, IVR, and mobile apps. This includes a base access fee and an annual
maintenance fee. If enhancements or additional services are requested beyond
the baseline support, Columbia may charge additional fees based on actual costs
incurred. Access to IT integration services and customer list data described below
is contingent upon payment of the entry fee and annual billing fees.
Customer List Access and Associated Fees
Upon request and subject to applicable privacy policies and customer
preferences, Columbia may provide updated customer lists. A recurring fee
applies for this service. Third parties are required to delete outdated lists upon
receipt of new ones and certify compliance. Additional provisions may allow for
integration with utility communication channels, such as website links, subject to
feasibility and security considerations.
Contract Term Lengths
A long initial term, typically spanning multiple years, with automatic renewal
periods unless terminated with advance notice. This structure provides long-term
stability while allowing for periodic review and adjustment.
Insurance Requirements
Third parties must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including
general liability, auto liability, umbrella/excess liability, cyber liability,
professional liability, and workers’ compensation that conforms with company
standards.
Indemnification
Third parties are required to indemnify Columbia against claims arising from
breaches of the agreement, issues with covered products, or allegations that
Columbia is acting as a debt collector or advertiser on behalf of the third party.
Data Privacy and Security
Strict obligations apply to the handling of customer information. These include
compliance with all applicable data privacy laws, restrictions on data use and
sharing, incident reporting requirements, and annual audits. Data must be stored
and processed within the United States.
Confidentiality
All customer and business information must be treated as confidential.
Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited, and violations may result in
injunctive relief and other remedies
Apart from these standard terms, Columbia did not include in its filing additional specific language or specific fees for the program
PUC Docket R-2018-2647577
ADVERTISEMENT 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
July 1, 2025
Email This Story
Copyright 2025 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
NEW Jobs on RetailEnergyJobs.com:
• UPDATED 6/26 with correct contact email -- Senior Director of Operations - Retail Energy ***
|
|
|
|
|