Pennsylvania PUC Approves EDI Changes for Future PLC/NSPL Values, Net Metering

The Pennsylvania PUC has approved the Electronic Data Exchange Working Group's request for two change controls for statewide implementation, to provide electric generation suppliers (EGSs) with information on future customer peak load contribution values, and to implement a net metering flag.

Under Change Control #087, future Peak Load Contribution (PLC) data and the Network Service Peak Load (NSPL) values will be included with the customer's Historical Usage and Historical Interval Usage data under the EDI 867 Historical Usage and Historical Interval Usage (867 HU/HIU) transaction sets, when such data become available. Currently, although the data may be available, EGSs typically cannot access the data electronically until June 1, at which time the future PLC/NSPL values take effect and become current.

An effective date range for current and future PLC and NSPL values will also be included.

The PUC ordered the electric distribution companies (EDCs) to implement Change Control #087 within 12 months, unless an EDC already has plans to make system-wide modifications that would incorporate this change at a later time.

The PUC also approved a modified version of the requested Change Control #085, which will add a net metering flag to the current the EDI 814 Enrollment, Change, Reinstatement, and 867 HU/HIU transaction sets.

Change Control #085 as proposed included fuel source codes. PECO reported that its customer accounts are currently not marked with a specific fuel type, and that it would be burdensome and costly for PECO to identify the specific fuel source.

As the PUC found that fuel type information is not necessary for the EGSs to effectively address customers' concerns regarding net metering, the PUC directed that Change Control #085 be revised to enable a yes/no response indicating whether net metering is present on the account without specifying the particular fuel source.

EDCs shall implement Change Control #085 within 12 months of the order, or within 12 months of the date that the change control is revised to remove the requirement for fuel source type from the change control, whichever is later, unless an EDC already has plans to make system-wide modifications that would incorporate this change at a later time.

The PUC's order adopting the new change controls (Docket No. M-00960890F0015) refrained from directing a method of cost recovery. The PUC had tentatively proposed recovering any costs in base rates but withdrew that specific direction. In comments PECO had noted that the change controls were related to the generation portion of the customer's bill, and had said that other mechanisms, including the incorporation of costs into the Purchase of Receivables discount or the incorporation of the costs into the Generation Supply Adjustment, may be appropriate for cost recovery.