Pennsylvania to Again Delay Mailing of Electric Choice Education Postcard

The Pennsylvania PUC is again delaying the requirement for the electric distribution companies to mail to customers a postcard promoting the PUC's PA Power Switch site.

The Commission first delayed and later dispensed with the mailing of the annual postcard for 2013. At that time, the PUC said that it would require the EDCs to resume the annual postcard mailing beginning in 2014, with the EDCs required to complete the annual postcard mailing by June 30 of each calendar year.

The PUC noted that on April 3, 2014, the Commission proposed regulation changes that "dramatically" reduce the time it takes consumers to change suppliers, and that provide shopping customers with greater and more uniform detail in supplier disclosure statements and enhance contract renewal notification requirements. Currently, the two rulemakings are being reviewed on an expedited basis, with the possibility of being finalized in mid- to late-2014.

"Anticipating the significant impact of these consumer protection measures on the competitive marketplace, and the current timeline for finalization and implementation of the two rulemakings, the Commission is postponing the annual postcard mailing until later in 2014 or into 2015," the PUC said.

The PUC said that it, through its Office of Communications, will notify the EDCs of the timing of the mailings as well as provide the layout as a digital file for the postcard.