RESA Asks PSC To Include Consideration of New POR Program As Part of Review of New Utility Billing System

The Retail Energy Supply Association has asked the District of Columbia PSC to include the accommodation of purchase of receivables as part of the PSC's review of billing system upgrades at Washington Gas Light, and such upgrades' impact on retail suppliers

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, the PSC had opened Formal Case 1138 to evaluate implementation of Washington Gas Light's new billing system and its impact on customers, on the approval process for natural gas suppliers, and on competition in the natural gas retail market in the District of Columbia

"A new billing system also offers the opportunity to enhance competition in the energy retail market by providing additional billing options for competitive energy suppliers," the PSC has noted

RESA noted that the PSC has mandated POR for Pepco, but not WGL.

"Given that sufficient time has passed since the implementation of Pepco’s program, which is working well, and with the onset of WGL’s new billing system and associated technology, it is RESA’s hope that WGL can easily accommodate the implementation and maintenance of a POR program, just as WGL does for its POR program in Maryland," RESA said

"Since it has been proven that implementation of such POR programs here and in many other markets throughout the country enhances the participation of suppliers, allowing for more choices to consumers, it makes sense that WGL should implement one for the District," RESA said

"Therefore, RESA requests that, as part of the investigation in this case surrounding WGL’s new billing system and its potential impact on customers and natural gas suppliers, the Commission include an assessment of whether WGL’s new billing system can accommodate a POR program and the estimated implementation costs," RESA said