Md. People's Counsel: PSC Should Gather Data On Rates Paid By Low-Income Customers on Competitive Supply, "Consider" Whether NY-Style Prohibition Needed

The Maryland PSC should gather data on the electric rates paid by low-income customers to determine if a prohibition or other restrictions should be placed on shopping for an electricity supplier by low-income customers, the Maryland Office of People's Counsel said in comments filed with the PSC

OPC was commenting on a report filed in PC 47, which is examining the potential for an opt-in affinity program in the state (see story here). The report noted that New York and Pennsylvania have taken actions to prohibit or otherwise condition the ability of low-income customers to shop for a retail supplier

OPC noted that low-income customers participating in Maryland’s Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) are currently permitted to purchase electricity from a retail supplier.

"While OPC does not object to EUSP customers continuing to do so at this time, it would be helpful to gauge whether EUSP participants purchasing electricity from retail suppliers are consuming more of the scarce EUSP benefits than would be the case if those customers had been receiving Standard Offer Service from their local utilities instead," OPC said

"As a result, OPC recommends that the Commission consider gathering the data needed to consider whether similar reforms are appropriate here in Maryland. In order to accomplish this, OPC recommends that the Commission direct Baltimore Gas & Electric, Pepco, Delmarva Power, SMECO, and Potomac Edison to report how many of their EUSP customers receive electric supply from a retail supplier, and how much those customers are paying for that electricity each month," OPC said

The OPC made a similar request in a proceeding considering the annual EUSP plan (see story here); the PSC did not specifically address OPC's request at that time

For a variety of reasons, including those stated in the consultant report (see story here), OPC said that a state-endorsed opt-in affinity program was not appropriate at this time, and expressed concerns with the consultant's recommendations for two potential opt-in pilots (proposed to be run by a low-income agency or a municipality)