National Fuel Gas Distribution Proposes to Not Implement Remote Access to Customer Account Number at This Time

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation proposed to the New York PSC to not, at this time, implement a program to provide customers with real-time remote access to their utility account numbers, due to a lack of interest and funding commitment from ESCOs (98-M-1343, see 11/28).

ESCOs will continue to consider the matter, and were provided until December 31, 2012 to develop a plan to fund the program.

National Fuel Gas Distribution had proposed two methods to allow customers to remotely access their account numbers.

The first approach is based upon developing enhancements to the utility's SmartPhone system (currently used to collect meter readings) and would provide customers with telephonic access to their account numbers. The SmartPhone approach was estimated to cost approximately $90,000.

The second approach is web-based and was estimated to cost approximately $25,000.

Under both of these options, National Fuel Gas Distribution proposed excluding the ongoing maintenance costs from the estimate at this time because they are likely to be relatively small.

National Fuel Gas Distribution asked ESCOs if they were willing to fund the programs. There were 10 votes in favor of at least one of the approaches, and 23 votes in opposition (including 16 non-responses). Of those in favor, the web-based approach was preferred over the SmartPhone approach.

As a result of the survey, National Fuel Gas Distribution proposes not to implement the plan to provide customers with real-time remote access to their utility account numbers at this time due to a lack of interest, National Fuel Gas Distribution reported to the PSC.

However, based upon discussion during a December 14 conference call, National Fuel Gas Distribution is willing to implement the web-based approach if a group of interested ESCOs is willing to develop a plan, no later than December 31, 2012, to self-fund the $25,000 cost.

A representative from one of the ESCOs has volunteered to coordinate development of such a plan, National Fuel Gas Distribution said.