PUC Grants One Utility's Sought Waiver Concerning New EDI Transaction

The PUC of Ohio granted a limited waiver to AEP Ohio concerning the use of an EDI transaction to allow retail suppliers to request an expedited return of a mercantile customer to default service

As previously reported by ECM, R.C. 4928.105, under last year's HB 15, requires that utilities complete, within three business days, a request for a mercantile customer to be returned, on an expedited basis, to the standard service offer (SSO).

In implementing this law, new Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21-21(A) provides that a request from a retail electric supplier, on behalf of a mercantile customer, for an expedited return of the customer to default service shall be made via a form developed by PUCO, "or an equivalent EDI transaction".

AEP Ohio has said that more time is needed to develop and test an EDI transaction for expedited returns of mercantile customers to default service, and has said that AEP Ohio will be able to process such returns manually in the interim

PUCO specifically granted AEP Ohio, "a limited temporary waiver of the EDI option to submit a certified request for an expedited return of a mercantile customer to the Company’s SSO, as required in Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21-21(A)."

PUCO ordered that this waiver shall only apply for 6 months.

If additional time is needed to implement an EDI transaction, PUCO directed that AEP Ohio must seek an extension of the waiver

PUCO's order only addressed a waiver petition from AEP Ohio, with relief limited to AEP Ohio. The FirstEnergy Ohio EDCs and Duke Energy Ohio have each sought similar waivers; such requests remain pending at PUCO (both requests are supported by PUCO Staff)

Case 26-801-EL-WVR, 26-0801-EL-WVR