Press Release

PUC Finalizes Directives to Remove Barriers to a Competitive Retail Electric Market in the PPL Service Territory

Published on 8/6/2009

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today finalized measures designed to remove barriers to a competitive retail electric market in the PPL service territory.

The Commission voted 4-1 to direct actions intended to achieve a fully competitive retail market in the PPL service territory, given the scheduled expiration of PPL’s rate caps on Dec. 31, 2009. Vice Chairman Tyrone J. Christy issued a dissenting statement.

The PUC directed changes to certain standards, rules and operational protocols in order to make the retail market more viable for electric generation suppliers (EGSs) that wish to offer retail generation service to PPL customers.  PPL is one of the largest electric distribution companies (EDCs) in the Commonwealth. With that, the Commission felt it was important that its market contain competitive alternatives, that its customers are aware of these competitive alternatives and that no barriers exist to prevent EGS entry into the market. 

In finalizing the measure, the Commission recognized that each EDC is unique and may require different operating directives. The Commission does not believe a one-size-fits-all approach will work in removing the barriers to competition and anticipates that the directives will serve as the starting point in proceedings regarding other companies.

The Commission directives address:

• Customer information databases;
• Data access through standardized EDI transactions for post validation, estimation and editing (VEE) data, which, among other items, provide necessary customer account information such as interval usage, transmission and capacity peak load contribution, and meter read cycle information;
• Bill ready and rate ready options;
• Timely EDI testing;
• Purchase of receivables;
• Customer awareness and education programs;
• Commitments to a process for development of a uniform supplier tariff;
• An ombudsman for supplier issues; and
• PPL costs of competition related activities.

The Commission also directed that issues such as customer referral programs, provisions for billing services not covered by purchase of receivables programs, and customer shopping education efforts by EDCs and the Commission be referred to the Retail Market Working Group for further consideration.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. – M-2009-2104271

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