Pa. Utility Seeks Protections for CAP Customers From Increased Bills Resulting From Shopping, Variable Rate Contracts

Duquesne Light said in its petition for a new default service plan (click here for recent story) that it would support the extension of shopping to Customer Assistance Program (CAP) customers under certain customer protections and conditions

"First, CAP customers that shop should be provided protections from increased bills resulting from shopping and variable rate contracts," Duquesne Light said

"Second, any CAP shopping plan must determine how customer protections will be implemented, and reported, whether the protections and associated costs are the responsibility of the EGS or the EDC, and provide sufficient time for process and system implementation and customer education," Duquesne Light said

"If these protections are adopted and implemented, the customer CAP credit will be applied to the distribution, generation and transmission portion of the bill in the same manner for CAP shopping customers as it is for CAP customers receiving default service. All CAP customers will be billed at the percentage of their budget billing amount based on their percentage of income as defined in the Company's most recent PUC approved Universal Services Plan," Duquesne Light said

Duquesne Light proposed that once the protections for CAP customers have been finalized and implemented, it would conduct a CAP customer education plan, which would include specific information about the CAP program benefits and pricing, information about the PTC, shopping components (including cancellation fees), and any further information that will provide CAP customers with details to make informed decisions concerning shopping.