Pennsylvania PUC Punts Another Retail Market Enhancement: Online Customer Information Access

The Pennsylvania PUC has deferred action on another retail market enhancement, specifically, retail suppliers' ability to access online customer information at the FirstEnergy utilities.

During the FirstEnergy EDCs' default service proceeding, retail suppliers had sought implementation of a secure website similar to the "Presentment Customer Usage" tool provided by PECO in order for retail suppliers to electronically access customer information, due to delays under existing methods. Retail suppliers said such a tool was needed, in part, due to delays that occur in the transmission of interval meter data for customers who opted out of inclusion on the eligible customer list (ECL).

The PUC delegated the issue to the Office of Competitive Market Oversight (OCMO), which has now issued a report on the subject.

Based on such report, the Commission will not order immediate implementation of any changes, but delegated the issue to the existing Electronic Data Exchange Working Group.

"The Commission understands the convenience to EGSs and customers of having all of this information readily available on a single website or webpage. Nonetheless, the Commission is also cognizant of a number of other pressing priorities facing the [FirstEnergy] Companies (and other electric distribution companies), including the implementation of retail market enhancements such as standard offer programs during the next phase of default service plans that go into effect on June 1, 2013. In addition, such website upgrades do not come without significant costs, which ultimately may be borne by ratepayers," the PUC said.

"Particularly since EGSs are able to access the necessary information via the ECL and interval meter data files (where available), the Commission does not wish to shift the responsibility to the Companies, at this time, to develop a comprehensive solution such as that suggested by RESA. Because the Commission believes, however, that such a tool should eventually be established by the Companies, suggestions are set forth below for moving this concept forward," the PUC said.

"We note that by order adopted on December 5, 2012 addressing Smart Meter Procurement and Installation, the Commission directed the Electronic Data Exchange Working Group (EDEWG) to initiate a web-portal working group to develop a standardized solution for acquisition of interval usage data via a secure web-portal. As noted in that order, the Commission expects the shorter-term solution will be a system that offers 12 months of historical interval usage (HIU) data via a secure web platform, while the longer-term solution will be a system that provides billing quality interval usage (IU) data within 24 to 48 hours of meter reads," the PUC said.

"The EDEWG working group is tasked to complete the development standards for the HIU solution by March 1, 2014 and to complete the development standards for the bill quality IU solution by March 1, 2015. Electric distribution companies (EDCs) are then required to propose these solutions as part of their smart meter implementation plans," the PUC said.

"The web-based solution for customer usage data suggested by RESA appears to be intricately related to EDEWG's efforts to develop a standardized solution for acquisition of interval usage data via a secure web-portal. Therefore, the Commission sets forth guidance and directives below seeking to ensure that RESA's suggestions are considered as part of that initiative. However, since most customers with interval meters who opted out of the ECL are already receiving generation from EGSs, the Commission does not believe that any additional steps need to be taken to address concerns about some of the delays associated with obtaining data for those customers," the PUC said.

Therefore, the Commission:

1. Advised EDEWG of the Commission's support for a web-based solution for HIU and IU issues that is compatible with development of a comprehensive website by the Companies and other electric distribution companies so that EGSs and customers may view key usage and service information in a single place, or a web-based solution for customer usage data, which can provide information in a timely manner to enable real time pricing to customers.

2. Recommended that RESA participate in EDEWG's web-portal working group to provide input as to the various components that it would like to see eventually included in the web-based solution for customer usage data.

3. Directed the FirstEnergy Companies to provide a status report to OCMO on March 31, 2014, which:

a. Addresses the development of a web-based solution for customer usage data in real time in connection with implementation of the HIU and IU solutions.

b. Provides cost estimates for developing a web-based solution for customer usage and service data.

c. Proposes a timeline for developing a web-based solution for customer usage and service data.

4. Directed OCMO to prepare a follow-up report to the Commission by June 30, 2014 outlining recommendations for moving forward with development by the Companies of a web-based solution for customer usage and service data in real time.

P-2011-2273650 et. al.