CL&P "Exploring" Whether EDI Vendors Can Implement "Corrective" Measures Upon Receiving Rate Info From Suppliers, Before Sending To EDC, To Address Inaccurate "Next Rate" Info

Connecticut Light and Power in comments to PURA suggested two options to be explored to address ongoing inaccuracies appearing on the next rate information section of utility consolidated bills for customers of retail suppliers

As previously reported, PURA is reviewing the issue of the Next Rate Info obligation, and suppliers' obligation with it, after Sen. Len Suzio called for an investigation of the matter after his competitive supplier apparently sent the utility incorrect information for the next-month rate section of the bill. See our prior story for more details

"It is undisputed that retail suppliers are the source and cause of the inaccurate data in question," CL&P (Eversource) said in comments to PURA

Nevertheless, CL&P said that it is committed to continuing to work with PURA, OCC, the Office of the Attorney General and other stakeholders to help identify potential solutions to this problem.

Eversource requested that PURA issue public notice of a technical meeting in which the EDCs, OCC, the AG, retail suppliers and other stakeholders can evaluate proposed solutions. "At the technical meeting, which the Company recommends should be transcribed, representatives of Eversource will be prepared to describe the estimated costs, estimated time frame to implement, and the pros and cons of the two potential solutions it is presently evaluating," CL&P said

"Under Option One, Eversource is exploring whether the vendors who operate the electric data information ('EDI') system can implement a solution. As PURA is aware, retail suppliers submit their pricing data via EDI to the EDCs. Eversource is examining whether it is possible for EDI vendors to implement corrective measures at the time they receive pricing data from retail suppliers and before the EDI systems transmit this data to the EDCs," CL&P said

"Under Option Two, Eversource is evaluating the estimated cost, estimated timeframe, and the pros and cons of Eversource modifying its I.T. systems in order to be able to receive from retail suppliers and retain the necessary data to either (a) insert “Not Provided” when a retail supplier fails to timely provide the correct Next Cycle Rate or (b) have Eversource’s billing system prevent retail suppliers from charging their customers a rate that exceeds the applicable Next Cycle Rate shown in a prior months’ bill," CL&P said

In separately filed comments, UI also suggested convening a technical conference, although it did not suggest the specific options as CL&P did

UI did offer, however, that there may be continued confusion regarding what information is to be listed under the "Next Rate" info.

"UI asserts that electric suppliers are having difficulty applying the Authority’s interpretation of Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-245d(a)(2). The Authority interpreted §16-245d(a)(2) to mean that the “Next Cycle Rate” is to display the electric generation service charge for the forthcoming consumption period, rather than the forthcoming billing period. That means that the 'Next Cycle Rate' box on customer bills does not indicate the generation service rate that will be billed to customers next month, but rather the rate that will be billed to them in two months for their next month’s electric use. UI asserts that customer and electric supplier confusion still pervades notwithstanding the Authority’s practical intent," UI said