Maryland Staff Recommend Show Cause Order on BGE Testing of XML for Gas Suppliers

The Maryland PSC Staff has recommended that the Commission direct Baltimore Gas & Electric, "to show cause why it cannot enter Castlebridge Energy Group, LLC into its [natural gas] testing program and provide a firm date when testing will be provided."

As only reported by Matters (11/17), Castlebridge asked the PSC to order Baltimore Gas & Electric to show cause why a delay in testing new gas suppliers' communication with BGE via Extensible Markup Language (XML), which is a pre-requisite to serve customers, is not unreasonable.

Castlebridge, which is seeking to begin serving gas customers on BGE's system, was informed that the final step for certification on BGE's system, XML testing, could not be completed until at least late spring of 2012. "Even then, only two suppliers would be tested at a time, and the next slots will not be available until next fall," Castlebridge reported

The matter is scheduled to be addressed at Wednesday's administrative meeting.

"Staff believes that this is a complaint that, in fairness, BGE should be given the opportunity to answer in order that the issues involved may be fully understood. The actions about which Castlebridge complains may affect other new gas suppliers. Staff would like the opportunity to respond after BGE has provided its explanation," Staff said in recommending the show cause order.