Pa. PUC Grants Waiver Related To Switching Confirmation Letter In Light Of Implementation of Instant Connects (Day One Shopping), But Does Not Require EDCs To Change Timing

The Pennsylvania PUC issued a final order adopting a waiver to allow for a change in when the EDC switch confirmation letter is sent in situations of an instant connect (day one shopping), but will not require all EDCs to adopt such a change.

The PUC noted that regulations require that the EDC switch confirmation letter be mailed by the end of the next business day following the receipt of the notification of the customer’s selection of an EGS or default service provider.

In instant connect situations, however, the customer may not yet be at the service address, and if the letter is sent under the current timeline, the letter may be received by a different customer or be returned to the utility

The PUC originally proposed that in instant connect situations, a waiver be granted such that the EDC confirmation letter shall instead be mailed by the end of the next business day after the start of service at the new account location

However, in response to comments from certain EDCs noting that EDCs may have already made certain programming changes to comply with instant connects prior to any change in the timing of the confirmation letter, the PUC's final order, while granting necessary waivers, will not require EDCs to change the timing of the mailing of the confirmation letter

"[W]e will put in place a temporary, three-year waiver that permits, but does not require, an EDC to hold the confirmation letter until after a customer is in residence at their new address," the PUC said

Under this waiver, an EDC can either mail the confirmation letter by the end of the next business day following the receipt of the notification of the customer’s selection of an EGS, or may wait until service commences at the new address before mailing the letter.

"We emphasize that this waiver is permissive – the EDC is free to either mail the letter by the end of the next business day per the current regulation or it can wait until service has started at the new address. The EDC must choose one of the options, not both; however, an EDC is free, upon notice to the Commission, to change the option it exercises during the course of this three-year waiver," the PUC said