Md. Staff Cite Continued Lack of Data on Columbia POR Costs

Maryland PSC Staff were unable to file a schedule for briefing outstanding issues related to Columbia Gas' Purchase of Receivables program, citing a lack of data from the company.

As previously reported by Matters (12/2), the PSC directed Columbia Gas to present additional details regarding various costs of implementing several provisions of RM 35, including Purchase Of Receivables and a 12-day enrollment timeline, after Columbia reported that recovering all such costs through the POR discount rate as directed by the PSC would result in a discount rate of 28%.

The PSC's direction came in response to discussion at the December 1 administrative meeting regarding Columbia's application for rehearing of several cost recovery issues (10/22), which was held in abeyance pending receipt of additional data. Expressing frustration with a lack of notice earlier in the POR process regarding the issues raised by Columbia, Commissioners said that they needed more information to consider whether to continue with implementation of the more costly RM 35 items, whether to grant Columbia a waiver of certain items, or whether to devise an alternative method of cost recovery (but which would still recover all costs from participating choice customers and not from distribution customers).

In a December 22 letter, Staff reported that it met with Columbia immediately after the December 1 administrative meeting. According to Staff, "[t]he Company agreed to send Staff a list of charges to date for COMAR 20.59 implementation with estimates for future work."

"Staff was given the impression that financial information to date was available and could be readily provided. Staff followed up on this request by e-mail and asked for the information an additional time in writing. The Company has called various members of the Staff to say that this information has been difficult to compile and is not yet ready. Staff also asked for Columbia's final position regarding POR and also a list and full discussion and support for all the options that Columbia wishes the Commission to consider."

"As of today [12/22], Staff has received no further information from Columbia regarding the implementation of COMAR 20.59, and we are unable to file the joint schedule requested prior to the end of the year," Staff said.