Maryland PSC Commissioners Skeptical of Arguments Against Shortening Switching Timeline

The Maryland PSC yesterday took under advisement the utilities' alternative proposals to comply with the PSC's directive to temporarily accelerate the switching timeline, with such alternative proposals generally only accelerating the timeline for returns to SOS, not switches to another supplier.

While the PSC did not issue a ruling, questions from Commissioners indicated skepticism of arguments to maintain the current switching period, which may take up to 42 days.

While Baltimore Gas & Electric has proposed an alternative compliance plan to temporarily accelerate switches to SOS, in looking at the situation long-term, BGE expressed concern regarding an acceleration in the switching timeline that would preclude the customer's receipt of a confirmation letter of the switch prior to it taking effect. Apart from protecting customers against slamming, BGE said that the confirmation letter gives customers time to be contacted by an incumbent supplier about any potential early termination fee

However, Commissioner Anne Hoskins questioned why BGE saw itself as needing to be the "protector" of customers through a longer switching timeline, given that the Commission is increasingly holding suppliers accountable, and ensuring that customers have adequate disclosures.

Hoskins also pushed back against BGE's characterization of the current switching timeline as 12 days, since it could be as long as 42 days. Commissioner Lawrence Brenner also emphasized that the Commission wants the timeline accelerated from the current schedule that can take up to 42 days.