Provider of Last Resort (POLR) is the function a utility usually serves in markets that have opened energy supply to competition, serving customers who do not choose a competitive supplier.  What will the POLR of the future look like? (more…)

Starting 2/1/2010, Texas meters are moving to the head of the class.  Smart Meter Texas, a website/webservice collaborative of the big four TX TDSPs (AEP, Centerpoint, Oncor, TNMP), goes live that Monday providing energy consumers, REP’s, and other parties access to both data and features that raise the bar in smart grid world.  Where other states and markets are dipping their toes into these future capabilities, Texas is diving head first.

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ConEd hosted a ESCO meeting to announce some initiatives rolling out shortly.

Mandatory Hourly Pricing [MHP]

• MHP for accounts 1000kw – 1499kw total peak demand (not just one meter) begins Nov 2009, meters installed by Apr 2009 (300 customers)
• MHP for accounts 500kw – 999kw begins May 2011, meters installed by Apr 2010 (1400 customers)

PowerMove Expansion

• Allows Customer to choose supplier when they enroll, getting 7% savings immediately
• Expect Jun 2010 implementation pending PSC approval

Automated EDI Testing

• New automated testing process will reduce testing timeline to 10 days
• Web-based testing interface for trading partners; see progress; interact; email updates when files posted, etc.
• Implementation Jan 2010

Miscellaneous

• 600k accounts switched (3.1M total)
• 60 ESCO’s, 15 electric only, 28 gas only, 15 E&G

Attached below is FE’s summary of FE’s UCBRR solution.

Summary:  FirstEnergy-UCBRR-Summary-20090917

Links:

• Website, Rate Form for Met-Ed/Penelec:  http://www.firstenergycorp.com/supplierservices/files/Supplier_Registration/Ratedesignform%20rev%206%2021%2007.xls
• Website, Rate form for Penn Power:  http://www.firstenergycorp.com/supplierservices/files/Rates_and_EDI/suprates.pdf

The PA PUC ordered both PPL and PECO to prepare a report for how they would do Rate-Ready in their marketplaces.  PPL is leading a collaborative of LDC’s, suppliers and service providers through the requirements needed to make this happen.  Combined with POR, these markets in PA should be busy!  Notes:

• PA markets Duquesne, PennElec, MetEd, Allegheny Power and Penn Power all provide Rate Ready already.
• Most expect the new RR solution to look alot like the existing RR solutions already in place in PA
• PPL and PECO started with Bill-Ready in 1999
• To join the fray, contact Bruce Bolbat at PPL
• A report is due to the PA PUC by 11/9/09
• ESG is helping to coordinate Suppliers in this effort.  If interested, contact George Behr at ESG

NYC local taxes changed on 8/1 to 4½%.   Notes:

• Mayor’s proposal to charge the sales tax on ESCo charges and raise $83 million dollars was passed by the City Council in June
• New taxes for NYC go to the state legislature as well, known as a ‘home rule’.

KED

• In KED, ESCo’s have to calculate a 4 1/2% tax on charges and submit them for bill presentation as a separate line item.
• In KED POR program, KED purchases this tax along with the rest of charges.
• In KED POR, ESCo’s remit full tax amount to proper taxing authority.

ConEd

• In ConEd, the new tax is for both gas and electric.
• As in the past, Con Ed will buy the new NYC local taxes receivables as part of POR
• In ConEd, ESCO’s need to send in an 814 Change file to change the tax rate (use AMT*9M)
• As in the past, the ESCO is responsible for reporting and paying taxes to appropriate tax agency.

Miscellaneous

• If the meter is read on or after August 1, 2009, and the number of days from August 1, 2009, to the date of the meter reading is more than half the total number of days covered by the bill, report sales of these services at the new residential rate of 4½% or the nonresidential rate of 8 7/8%.  If the meter is read on or after August 1, 2009, and the number of days from August 1, 2009, to the date of the meter reading is more than half the total number of days covered by the bill, any sales of the services of transporting, transmitting, distributing, or delivering gas or electricity, even if made by someone other than the vendor of the gas or electricity, must be reported at the new rate of 4½%.

Related Resources:

PSC Notice: http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/notices/n09_12.pdf

ERCOT resi and small commercial customers will have new switching rules starting 8/16/09 for most territories (TDU’s have until 12/1 to complete changes).  Notes:

• On ’standard’ switch (formerly ‘on-cycle’), a customer’s first-available switch date FASD will be set 3 business days after switch received at ERCOT.  No special fees, no ‘waive notification’ option,
• If the normal read date is -3 or +3 days after FASD, that read will be used.  If outside that 7 day window then a physical read will be made on one of the 4 days after the FASD (TDSP’s have until 12/1/09 to implement).
• The standard switch will be made 4 days after ERCOT receives the switch.
• On ’self-selected’ switch (formerly ‘off-cycle’), a customer is switched on the date selected by the REP, and TDSP fees apply.
• Rescission postcard to customers is replaced by a notification postcard (no option to rescind).
• TDSP’s must have certain percentage of actual reads (reducing estimated reads) by 12/1/2009.

UPDATES:  above includes updates noted by Mike at TES Energy Services

The full order is here:  http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.214/36536adt.pdf

Also see:  http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.475/25.475.pdf

Retail energy gets one of its best tests to date when PA rate caps expire in 2010 and 2011. (more…)