Pennsylvania Approves Delay in Mailing Customer Choice Education Materials

The Pennsylvania PUC has approved delaying two mailings from the electric distribution companies intended to educate customers about electric choice.

As first reported by Matters, the PUC had tentatively proposed the delay due to feedback that the Commission has received from consumers about the high volume of mail they receive from a variety of sources related to electric shopping. "We are concerned about overwhelming consumers and giving them a negative impression of electric choice," the PUC had said.

Under the PUC's original intermediate retail market workplan, the EDCs were to mail to customers a PAPowerSwitch.com tri-fold flyer in May 2012. The flyer provides consumers with a detailed walk-through of the steps involved when shopping for a competitive electric generation supplier and also highlights the potential savings that can be achieved by consumers when shopping for generation supply.

Additionally, EDCs were to mail customers, in October 2012, a letter from the EDCs encouraging consumers to shop, directing consumers to PAPowerSwitch.com and reinforcing the notion that all consumers, regardless of who supplies their electricity, will continue to receive safe and reliable distribution service from their EDCs. Attached to this letter will be "frequently-asked questions" document.

Under the PUC's final order approving a delay, the mailing of the PAPowerSwitch tri-fold flyer has been delayed until at least November 2012. "Individual EDCs are directed to work with our Office of Communications to implement this mailing as close to November 2012 as possible, but no later than February 2013," the PUC said, recognizing comments from some EDCs seeking flexibility in the delayed mailing date, due to other previously scheduled mailings, some of which also relate to customer choice.

Additionally, the mailing of the EDC letter and frequently-asked questions document has been delayed until 2013, to be sent no later than December 31, 2013.

"Despite proposing to delay these mailings, we remain steadfast in our commitment to consumer education regarding electric choice and appreciate the similar sentiments expressed by all stakeholders," the PUC said.

"A coordinated approach to these mailings will ensure their optimum effectiveness, and we believe that the mailings will be more effective in promoting competition if they are spaced out over a longer period of time," the PUC said.