PSC Staff Recommend Commission Dismiss Petition From Retail Suppliers To Introduce Purchase of Receivables

Staff of the Delaware PSC have recommended that the Commission dismiss a petition from the Retail Energy Supply Association to require the implementation of purchase of receivables at Delmarva Power

Among other things, Staff said that RESA's petition to institute POR is entirely duplicative of the process to review various electric choice enhancements, including POR, already underway in Docket No. 15-1693, in which the Electricity Affordability Committee made several recommended proposals to improve customer choice.

RESA had asked that POR be implemented by June 1, 2016. In contrast, the public comment period for the broader review of electric choice improvements does not close until March 30, 2016, making a June 1, 2016 implementation date for POR unlikely under that process.

Staff said that reviewing POR outside of this broader process, "will unnecessarily and inefficiently duplicate efforts already underway in Docket No. 15-1693 and require Staff, DPL, and multiple other interested parties to participate in two dockets."

"Furthermore, POR is one of many factors impacting the complex issue of consumer choice in Delaware, as the EAC has recognized in making its eight recommendations. It is not only more efficient for the Commission, Staff, and other parties to consider all eight recommendations in one docket, but it would be inappropriate to single out POR for separate and expedited treatment, as RESA has requested. POR itself is a complex issue that should be considered within the context of all factors impacting consumer choice, and Docket No. 15-1693 is the appropriate venue to do so," Staff said

Staff offered a proposed order to reject RESA's petition.