Retail Suppliers Seek to Close Petition to Institute Purchase of Receivables

The Retail Energy Supply Association has filed to close, without prejudice, a generic investigation regarding whether purchase of receivables, customer referral, and electronic interface programs should be implemented in New Hampshire.

RESA said that during an April technical session, "it became clear that there are still considerable questions about design and implementation regarding how a POR program would work in practice."

"RESA submits that it would be helpful for the time being to close the docket without prejudice to reopening this docket in the future when some related issues and dockets have been resolved or are closer to resolution."

In particular, RESA said that it would be beneficial for New Hampshire, "if the POR docket in Massachusetts (MA DPU Docket 10-53), which is entering a critical stage after a lengthy proceeding, were resolved or closer to resolution to see how POR programs are developed and implemented in neighboring Massachusetts (two of three [NH] electric distribution companies are active parties in the Massachusetts DPU docket)."

Public Service of New Hampshire did not oppose closing the docket at this time, but said that it, "does not necessarily agree that the resolution of the particular dockets cited by RESA in its Motion will be especially helpful in resolving the issues of design and implementation of the POR in New Hampshire in the future."

"The issues with implementing a POR are, in PSNH's view, largely a result of issues unique to New Hampshire's laws and regulatory framework and the circumstances of New Hampshire's utilities," PSNH said, which has previously said in testimony that POR is not permissible under PUC rule.

"Further, as has been noted in numerous filings with the Commission, the competitive marketplace for residential and small commercial customers has only recently begun developing New Hampshire," PSNH said. "Despite the short time, however, there has been a substantial expansion in the number of suppliers and the number of customers availing themselves of different supply options. PSNH believes it important to allow time for the market to mature and develop, and to have in place appropriate legal and regulatory processes, before determining whether a program such as a POR is necessary for supporting a competitive market in New Hampshire."

Docket DE 12-097