PSC Issues Final Report, Recommendations On Opt-In Electric Supply Program

The Maryland PSC has sent to legislators a final report concerning an opt-in electricity affordability program for residential and small commercial customers (PC 47).

As the result of a consultant's report on an opt-in program and public comments, the PSC's final submission to lawmakers does not recommend the establishment of a particular program or policy at this time

The consultant's report had recommended against a statewide opt-in program, but did propose a smaller pilot targeted to low-income customers or a geographic area (see details here)

"[A]lthough neither the Technical Staff nor the Commission recommend legislation or the establishment of a particular program or policy at this time, the Commission looks forward to continuing to inform the General Assembly on these issues," the PSC said

"Although the Commission has not decided whether to support any of the recommendations of the Gabel [consultant] Report at this time, the Commission may further explore some of its recommendations, as well as some of the ideas expressed in the written stakeholder comments, in PC 44, the Commission's ongoing electric distribution grid modernization proceeding," the PSC said

EnergyChoiceMatters.com exclusively reported that the PSC has expanded the scope of issues to be reviewed under its electric grid transformation proceeding (PC44) to include, "competitive markets and customer choice," issues, particularly re-examining current administrative processes that discourage customers from selecting a retail supplier, including, among other issues, seamless moves, instant connects, and implementation of online look-up tools (whose implementation had been recommended in the opt-in consultant report).

"In PC 44, the Commission has observed that '[u]niversal access to electricity for all Marylanders is a bedrock principle of Maryland public utility regulation, so limiting ratepayer impact -- particularly for limited-income Marylanders -- is always a significant decision factor,' and that '[c]ompetitive markets are an integral part of Maryland's electricity landscape that promote innovation, reduce costs, and increase customers' choices.' Therefore, the Commission perceives PC 44's new working group on enhancing competitive markets and customer choice as a good vehicle for further exploration of the issues raised by PC 47 [opt-in docket]. Additional opportunities may also arise in the context of the PC 44 new work group on innovative rate design options," the PSC said