Pa. PUC Sets Hearing on "Intermediate" Retail Competition Work Plan

The Pennsylvania PUC has scheduled an en banc hearing on November 10 regarding its Investigation of Pennsylvania's Retail Electricity Markets, specifically to inform its consideration of the "intermediate" work plan to promote competition (I-2011-2237952).

The intermediate track of the PUC's investigation is focused on near-term changes to support retail choice without large-scale market design modification (such as modifying or eliminating default service, which is under the "long-term" track). See 7/28 story for more detail on the scope of the intermediate track.

A Tentative Agenda for the hearing includes panels on a statewide consumer education campaign; accelerated switching timeframes; customer referral programs; a retail opt-in auction; and default service plans beyond June 2013.

Issues suggested by the PUC to be addressed by each panel include:

Consumer Education-Statewide Campaign
- Surveys/Awareness
- Funding
- Timing
- Message

Accelerated Switching Timeframes
-Shortening or Elimination of 10-Day Confirmation/Waiting Period
- Changes to Confirmation Letter

Customer Referral Programs
- EDC Call Center Scripts
- New/Moving Customers/Account Changes
- Billing Inquiries
- Energy Efficiency Inquiries
- Other Inquiries

- Enrollment with Participating EGSs
- Selection of EGSs
- Customer Eligibility (including CAP customers)
- Referral vs. Assignment
- Role of EDC
- Introductory Price – Amount of Discount and Length of Introductory Period
- EGS's Obligations to Customer
- Customer's Rights and Options At End of Introductory Period

Retail Opt-In Auction
- Customer Eligibility (including Customer Assistance Program [CAP] customers)
- Existing Default Service Supply Contracts
- Auction Structure
- Auction and Post-Auction Service Terms
- Participant Requirements
- Logistics
- Coordination with other programs
- Potential Effect of Opt-in Auction on Default Service Prices

Default Service Plans Beyond 2013
- One-Year Bridge Plans
- One-Year Extension of Existing Plans
- Two-Year Plans Consistent with PUC Regulations and any Additional Directives