Maryland PSC Directs Staff to Develop Accelerated Switching Proposal

The Maryland PSC has directed its Office of External Relations to develop a proposal for accelerated switching.

The PSC had implemented accelerated switching on a temporary basis only in response to the polar vortex, but such measures have expired.

The Commission noted that a recent rulemaking session regarding consumer protections (RM 54), parties discussed the matter of accelerated switching for electricity and natural gas, and requested the Commission provide guidance on the number of days for a switch, on the number of permitted switches per billing cycle, and on a delay in the implementation to permit utilities to adapt their billing programs.

The Commission indicated in the rulemaking session that it prefers the shortest practicable number of days, and doesn't think multiple switches each billing cycle are necessary. The Commission said that it has no objection to a reasonable delay in the implementation period.

The PSC directed the Office of External Relations to draft a proposed regulation addressing the matter of accelerated switching by Maryland consumers of their electric and gas competitive suppliers which will be considered at the next to-be-scheduled RM54 rulemaking session proceeding.