Update: PSC Will "Examine" Utility Consolidated Billing Charges, POR Amounts As SCB Implemented

The Maryland PSC issued an errata to its June 27 order concerning the cost recovery for supplier consolidated billing implementation

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com on June 27, the PSC adopted a $2.00 per bill fee for suppliers using SCB. The amount of the SCB per-bill fee was only listed in an ordering paragraph and not discussed elsewhere in the original order

The errata does not alter any of the previously issued language in the order, but includes erroneously omitted language in the body of the order concerning the decision to set the SCB per-bill fee at $2

Specifically, the errata adds the following language to the order:

"The Commission finds that a $2.00 per bill fee is reasonable. Nevertheless, the surcharge amount may need to be revisited over the course of the SCB program and adjusted from time to time, depending on variables including the rare [sic] of supplier and customer SCB participation. In the long term, the Commission will also examine UCB charges with the intent of keeping incentives in the UCB and SCB markets on relatively equal footing. The Commission will also examine POR amounts."

As noted yesterday, the selection of a per-bill fee charged to suppliers using SCB does not alter the economics for suppliers electing to use UCB. The PSC's errata notes that the Commission will continue to monitor the SCB per-bill fee as well as costs under UCB and POR, "with the intent of keeping incentives in the UCB and SCB markets on relatively equal footing."

See more background on the adopted SCB cost recovery method here

Case 9461