Illinois Maintains Blended Uncollectibles Rate in ComEd POR

The Illinois Commerce Commission has affirmed the blended uncollectibles discount rate in Commonwealth Edison's Purchase of Receivables program on rehearing (10-0138).

Although a written order had not been served on parties as of press time, the ICC yesterday voted, without discussion, to adopt a proposed order from an ALJ without any substantial changes.

The adopted proposed order, which was first reported in Matters (7/13), maintains a blended uncollectibles discount rate applicable to all receivables purchased under POR, rather than using separate residential and commercial uncollectibles factors.

The fixed charge of 50 cents per utility consolidated bill, which was not subject to rehearing, is also maintained.

Although the end result of a blended discount rate is apparent, details regarding specific findings and conclusions of law will have to wait for the issuance of a written order. In particular, in addition to policy reasons for a blended uncollectibles rate, the proposed order had concluded that only a single discount rate is permissible under statute.

On exceptions, Staff said that such a conclusion could hinder the ICC's justification, at the appellate level, for use of the flat 50 cents per bill charge, since the use of a flat charge (rather than a percentage) essentially creates an infinite number of "effective" discount rates specific to each customer's usage. Dominion Retail has appealed the 50 cents charge to the courts.

Kevin Wright, President of the Illinois Competitive Energy Association which opposed the blended uncollectibles rate, said that ICEA, "will consider other legal and legislative remedies," in response to the order on rehearing, subject to reviewing the final written order.