Pennsylvania PUC Sets Deadline for Utilities To Offer Switch-At-Connect, Seamless Moves

The Pennsylvania PUC has set a deadline for electric distribution companies to offer switch-at-connect functionality (known in Pennsylvania as instant connect), and seamless moves.

Under instant connect, customers may begin taking competitive electric supply immediately when their electricity service is turned on, without having to be placed on default service for a period. Under seamless moves (contract portability), customers can continue with competitive supply when moving to a new address.

"We believe that it is reasonable to expect the EDCs to have seamless moves and instant connects in place by July 1, 2016," the PUC said in a secretarial letter.

"We expect the EDCs to file under the docket numbers listed above, within 30 days of the date of this Secretarial Letter, a revised plan to implement seamless moves and instant connects in their service territories by July 1, 2016," the PUC said.

"Each plan should also provide an estimate of the costs to design, test, implement and maintain seamless moves and instant connects, and proposals for the recovery of those costs," the PUC said.

"We are providing a 30-day comment period on the plans filed by the EDCs. Interested parties are to file comments with the Secretary under the dockets listed above, within 30 days of each plan filing date. The Commission will then review the comments and determine appropriate further actions with regard to the filed plans," the PUC said.