Duquesne Light to Implement Seamless Move, Switch on Connect for Retail Supply as Part of Default Service Plan

Aside from previously reported retail auctions and referral programs (see earlier story), Duquesne Light proposes to implement several processes meant to remove barriers to customer choice under its proposed default service plan for the period beginning June 1, 2013, including "seamless move" and "switch on connect" functionalities, plus bill ready billing.

Under the "seamless move" functionality, Duquesne Light will allow customers to remain with their chosen competitive supplier when moving to a new location within Duquesne Light's service area. Currently, when a customer moves to a new address, they are automatically placed on default service, and must affirmatively switch back to their previously selected supplier.

Under the "switch on connect" functionality, Duquesne Light will allow new customers initiating service to take competitive supply at the time of service initiation. Currently, such customers must take default service for a billing cycle before they can take competitive supply.

Duquesne Light said these functionalities can be completed in a subsequent release of a new customer care and billing system, which Duquesne Light estimates can be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

Duquesne Light said that while it, "believes that the confirmation letter and rescind period are critical components of customer switches between suppliers, it would need to be eliminated when a customer selects a supplier upon moving into an EDC territory for the first time."

"It would not be practical for the Company to implement the 'switch on connect' functionality but then have a customer assigned to default service during the 10-day confirmation period. The Company does not see this as an issue because seamless moves will be initiated by contacting the Company," Duquesne Light said.

Additionally, Duquesne Light proposed to implement "off cycle switch" functionality as part of its smart meter program. "When a customer receives a Smart Meter, they will have the capability to select the date that they want to switch to a new supplier rather than waiting to switch on the next cycle bill," Duquesne Light said.

Duquesne Light also said that it plans to implement "bill ready" billing functionality starting June 1, 2015, at which time Duquesne Light said that it will be capable of billing any product an EGS would like to offer that is supported by then available metering data. Currently, Duquesne Light only offers rate ready billing.