WGL Seeks June 2011 Start for POR in Maryland

Given the deferral of action by the Maryland PSC on Washington Gas Light's Purchase of Receivables compliance tariff, as well as other scheduling conflicts, WGL has proposed that it implement POR effective with the June 2011 billing cycle.

A June start date would allow WGL to implement POR using its new supplier portal on which all uniform electronic transactions, including the two required for POR, will be implemented.

WGL had originally sought a February 1, 2011 start date for POR, had the Commission accepted its compliance tariff in time to allow such a start date. As only noted in Matters, the PSC has deferred action on the compliance tariff (see 1/20).

However, the February start date would have required WGL to use a temporary platform for POR prior to anticipated start of uniform electronic transactions on May 15, 2011.

WGL said that due to scheduling conflicts, the earliest start date for POR is now the May billing cycle, assuming a decision approving POR is rendered at least 10 business days prior to the start date. However, WGL recommended a June start date because a May start date would require WGL to use the temporary POR platform for less than a single month, and it would be simpler to start the POR program in June after the start of uniform electronic transactions.

WGL is still awaiting final Commission approval to implement uniform electronic transactions on May 15, 2011 as well, and requires Commission approval by the end of April 2011 to meet this target date.