Texas TDUs Publish FAQs On Process, Issues Related To Retail Provider Reimbursements Under Electricity Relief Program

The Texas TDUs have posted a series of frequently asked questions and a presentation concerning the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program, under which eligible residential customers may not be disconnected for non-payment

See background on the Electricity Relief Program here

In brief, REPs will be reimbursed for energy charges at a rate of $0.04/kWh for customers in the program, and delivery charges (except securitization charges) will not be charged to REPs

The joint TDUs will hold a second workshop with the REPs related to the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program (ERP) process on April 14

As previously reported, the PUC's executive director has directed that the REP reimbursement process may begin on April 20, 2020

As a result, the TDUs said in the FAQs that REPs can begin submitting to the TDUs, for eligible customers, TDU delivery charge suppression spreadsheets through MarkeTrak on April 20, 2020

Notable FAQs include the following:

Q: When a REP submits a MarkeTrak to suppress TDU charges, the customer is already past due on their payment to the REP. Will the TDUs cancel 810_02 invoices received by REPs prior to the suppression request?

A: After the TDU has processed the TDU delivery charge suppression request, the TDU will cancel the 810_02 invoice immediately prior to the completion of the TDU delivery charge suppression request and will send a replacement invoice with suppressed TDU delivery charges. TDU delivery charges will be suppressed for subsequent 810_02 invoices for the duration of the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program unless the REP notifies the TDU to remove the customer from the program, if the TDU receives a Move In or Move Out, or as otherwise directed by an Applicable Legal Authority (ALA

Q: If the customer is removed from the ERP-eligible list due to failure to provide proper documentation of unemployment within 30 days, will the ESI ID be cancel/rebilled to reapply the suppressed TDU charges?

A: No. However, the REP does need to submit a delete subtype MarkeTrak (ERP_D) upon removal of the customer from the ERP-eligible list so the TDU can begin applying TDU delivery charges on subsequent 810_02 invoices.

Q: If a customer switches to another REP will the suppressed TDU charges follow the customer to their new REP?

A: Yes. Additionally, Mass Transition events are considered to be switches; therefore, suppressed TDU charges will follow the customer to the new REP.

Q: Will TDU suppressed charges be visible to the REP in order to unbundle rates?

A: AEP, TNMP, and Oncor will show the suppressed charges on their 810_02 invoices. CenterPoint will make a report of suppressed charges available to REPs upon request.

Q: When submitting a reimbursement request, must a REP currently be the REP of Record?

A: No. A REP may request reimbursement for energy charges that correlate to any 810_02 invoice with suppressed charges as long as the REP has not previously requested reimbursement for the same invoice.

Q: If a Disconnect for Non-Pay order (DNP) is sent by the REP in error for a customer eligible for the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program, will that DNP automatically be rejected/cancelled?

A: The Commission order does not require the TDUs to reject or cancel DNPs for customers on the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program. If a REP issues a DNP order for an ERP-eligible customer’s premise, the REP should immediately move to reconnect the customer.

Q: At the conclusion of the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program, how will the balance of the Rider be allocated?

A: For any amounts recovered under the rider that remain after the end of the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program, the TDUs will issue a refund through REPs to end-use customers in the same manner the rider was charged. REPs must pass through any monies refunded to customers.

See the presentation and FAQs here

Concerning delivery rate suppression, the TDUs noted that, under the process, the TDU shall suppress the Delivery Charges within three (3) business days of receipt of the REP’s TDU delivery charge suppression request via MarkeTrak. The day the TDU receives the MarkeTrak request is considered Day 0, as long as the day received is a Business Day. Otherwise, Day 0 will be considered the next Business Day.

After the TDU has processed the delivery charge suppression request, the TDU will cancel the 810_02 invoice immediately prior to the completion of the TDU delivery charge suppression request and will send a replacement invoice with suppressed TDU delivery charges.

TDU delivery charges will be suppressed for subsequent 810_02 invoices for the duration of the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program unless the REP notifies the TDU to remove the customer from the program, if the TDU receives a Move In or Move Out, or as otherwise directed by an Applicable Legal Authority