PSC Says Bifurcation, Phase II Consideration Of Default Service Adder Not Needed

The Maryland PSC issued a procedural order concerning consideration of Baltimore Gas & Electric's rate case and settlement, and proposals to bifurcate the issue of the bypassable SOS Administrative Adjustment, or deferral of the issue until another phase of the proceeding

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, several parties (which did not include retail suppliers) entered into a settlement to establish an interim level for the bypassable SOS Administrative Adjustment, while the level of the rate would be further determined during a second phase of the proceeding

Currently, the SOS Administrative Adjustment component is 0¢/kWh, as set in a prior Commission order. As exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, BGE has proposed to set the bypassable SOS Administrative Adjustment at 1.00 mill per kWh, for all of BGE’s SOS customer classes

In surrebuttal testimony, PSC Staff has proposed setting the SOS Administrative Adjustment at 1.46 mills per kWh for residential customers and 1.25 mills per kWh for Type I customers, with the amount less than 0.5 mills per kWh for other SOS classes

A coalition of retail suppliers has recommended setting the SOS Administrative Adjustment at 11.82 mills per kWh for residential customers and 21.06 mills per kWh for all non-residential customers

The PSC ruled that, "the Commission has determined that it will not bifurcate review of the uncontested issues in the Settlement and the sole contested issue of the SOS Administrative Adjustment. Furthermore, the Commission has concluded that a Phase II proceeding to address the merits of the SOS Administrative Adjustment is not necessary."

Accordingly, the PSC adopted the following revised procedural schedule to address the settlement and the lone contested issue of the SOS Administrative Adjustment:

Written Testimony:

• Testimony in support of the Settlement (Uncontested Issues) and on the SOS Administrative Adjustment (Contested Issue) shall be filed by all Parties on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Evidentiary Hearings on the Contested and Uncontested Issues:

• Thursday, November 14, 2019, beginning at 10:00 a.m.; and

• Friday, November 15, 2019, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (if necessary)

Case No. 9610