PUC Adopts Extension Of Waiver Allowing Shortened Five-Day Waiting Period For Switches

A tentative order previously issued by the Pennsylvania PUC concerning accelerated switching in the natural gas market has become final by operation of law.

Under the now final order, the PUC has extended through October 25, 2018 the shortened five-day waiting period between the time a natural gas customer is informed by the utility of a request submitted by a supplier to switch the customer's account, and the first date on which such switch may be executed.

Currently, natural gas regulations require a 10-day waiting period between the switch notice letter and first available switch date. However, the PUC previously issued a waiver of such regulations, replacing the 10-day waiting period with a 5-day waiting period, in efforts to accelerate switching. The waiting period provides the customer with the option to cancel the switch prior to execution.

The previously adopted waivers were to expire in October 2015. Noting that the PUC continues to conduct a retail natural gas market investigation, which includes a review of the switching timeline and process, the PUC said that it would be appropriate to extend the waivers allowing for a 5-day waiting period during the tendency of such retail market investigation.

"This Commission stresses the need to move forward in improving switching timeframes and notes that reverting from the five-day timeframe to the ten-day period outlined in our current regulations would be counterproductive, confusing and lead to renewed customer frustration with the natural gas supply market. Additionally, to date, this Commission has not received any complaints, concerns or suggestions of problems with the existing five-day waiting period," the PUC said in the tentative order which has become final

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