The Public Utility Commission Tuesday requested comments on proposed regulation changes that will reduce the time it takes to change electricity suppliers.
“Due to the recent impact of wholesale electricity market price increases on Pennsylvania consumers, and concerns that similar events could occur again in the immediate future, the Commission determined that the public interest requires extraordinary measures be taken,” the Commission said in a Secretarial Letter seeking comments on the proposed changes.
The comments will be considered as part of an expedited rulemaking proceeding where the Commission will require the electric distribution companies (EDCs) to further reduce the time it takes for consumers to switch electric suppliers.
The Commission views the time it takes for consumers to switch suppliers is unfavorable to those consumers who may wish to move away from an existing rate or onto a new rate under certain market conditions.
As of March 14, 2014, more than 12,283 consumers have contacted the Commission with concerns about electric supply prices, many of whom have expressed frustration with the time it takes to change suppliers. Of those, more than 4,775 consumers have filed informal complaints with the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services.
The Secretarial Letter contains a draft of the proposed regulations, which include requiring the EDCs to accelerate switching time frames through off-cycle meter readings that will allow consumers to switch suppliers within three days.
EDCs would be required to implement the changes within six months of the new regulations becoming final. Cost recovery for implementation would be addressed in each EDC’s next base rate proceeding.
Interested parties will have seven days to submit comments. The Secretarial Letter contains specific instructions on how to file comments. Consumers can email or write the PUC with comments.
Under current regulations, it can take between 11 and 40 days to switch electric suppliers, whether changing suppliers or moving to or from the utility for electric supply. The current switching timeframes reflect changes made as a part of the PUC’s Retail Markets Investigation. Those changes reduced the switching timeframe by five days from 16 to 45 days.