Utility Reports Updated Date For Implementation Of Supplier Consolidated Billing Pilot

AEP Ohio filed a status update regarding implementation of a supplier consolidated billing pilot

AEP Ohio currently anticipates that suppliers would be able to start enrolling customers by the end of the third quarter of 2018 for an initial SCB phase with, "basic functionality."

"AEP Ohio, participating suppliers, and [PUCO] Staff continue to work together to finalize the designs of a SCB program which lends itself to a positive customer experience. While AEP Ohio continues to work with all parties involved in the SCB pilot, several factors have led to a delay in implementation. First, AEP Ohio is developing a more fully-automated approach then what was originally envisioned as part of the pilot. This automation with allow for a better product initially and allow for less manual work by the suppliers and by AEP Ohio. Second, involvement in AEP Ohio’s most recent ESP Case and filed Stipulation delayed discussions between AEP Ohio and participating suppliers from fully developing the framework around the SCB Pilot," AEP Ohio said in a status update

"AEP Ohio currently anticipates that Suppliers would be able to start enrolling customers by the end of the third quarter of 2018. This date will allow for SCB to start for AEP Ohio and will consist of a program that encompasses basic functionality of the program. A second deployment will be made at the end of 2018 which will be able to address more complex customer issues under the SCB pilot. The second deployment will allow AEP Ohio to adjust for any needed changes from the first few months of program deployment and will take into consideration feedback from the suppliers and from the Commission Staff," AEP Ohio said in a status update

"All parties involved with AEP Ohio’s SCB Pilot have agreed to an adjusted implementation date of third quarter 2018, with a second more comprehensive roll-out phase at the end of 2018. This shift reflects better automation to the program and takes into consideration the delay caused by all parties involved in the most recent ESP Case. AEP Ohio commits to regular meetings with the suppliers and the Staff involved with SCB to finalize the details of the pilot program," AEP Ohio said in a status update