Press Release

PUC Seeks Comment on a Proposed Policy Statement Setting Guidelines for CAP Customers Shopping for Electric Generation; Approves Previously Ordered Changes to FirstEnergy Companies’ CAP Shopping Programs

Published on 2/28/2019

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved an Order requesting comments on a proposed policy statement designed to strengthen consumer protections for Customer Assistance Program (CAP) customers participating in the state’s retail electric market.

The Commission voted 5-0 to solicit comments on the proposed policy which would establish uniform guidelines for electric distribution companies’ (EDCs’) CAP shopping programs.  In designing future CAP shopping programs, EDCs should include the following provisions:

1. A requirement that the CAP shopping product has a rate that is always at or below the EDCs’ PTC(s) over the duration of the contract between the EGS and the CAP participant.
    
2. A provision that the contract between the EGS and the CAP participant contains no early termination or cancellation fees.
    
3. A provision that, at the end of the contract, the CAP participant may re-enroll with the EGS at a product that meets the same requirements as outlined in numbers 1 and 2 above, switch to another EGS offering a product that meets those requirements or be returned to default service.

Additionally, the Commission asks whether any party believes that it can show that there is a reasonable alternative to the program described above, where harm will not be incurred by either CAP or non-CAP customers, they are free to propose such a model.

Interested parties have 45 days from the publication of the Order in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to provide written comments to Secretary Rosemary Chiavetta, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, 400 North St., Harrisburg, PA  17120.  Written replies to filed comments must be submitted with 60 days of the date of publication.  Comments may alternatively be filed electronically through the Commission’s e-File system.

In a related matter today, the Commission voted 5-0 to set rules and procedures for the CAP shopping program and scripting for the FirstEnergy Customer Referral Program (CRP).  Prior to issuing today’s proposed policy statement, the Commission had ordered modifications to FirstEnergy’s CAP shopping program to be implemented on or before June 1, 2019.  Modifications to FirstEnergy’s CAP shopping program are consistent with the proposed policy statement issued today for comment.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket Nos.:

                    M-2018-3006578
                    P-2017-2637855
                    P-2017-2637857
                    P-2017-2637858
                    P-2017-2637866

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov