Press Release

PUC Adds 2nd En Banc Hearing on July 12th to Further Explore Supplier Consolidated Billing by Electric Generation Suppliers

Published on 5/15/2018

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has issued a Secretarial Letter announcing a second en banc hearing on Thursday, July 12, 2018, to hear testimony and gather additional information on customer billing practices by competitive electric generation suppliers (EGSs), specifically on the legality, merits and potential implementation of supplier consolidated billing (SCB).

Under SCB, customers would receive a single, consolidated bill from their chosen EGS that would include both their electric distribution company’s (EDC) distribution charges and their EGS’s generation and transmission charges.

The July 12^th hearing date is in addition to an initial en banc hearing on SCB scheduled for Thursday, June 14, 2018.  The Commission’s decision to add the second hearing comes in response to extensive stakeholder comments submitted, and based upon the number of parties expressing an interest in testifying.

The PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge will facilitate the June 14^th and July 12^th hearings, which will both be held in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg, PA.  Both hearings will begin at 1 p.m. The hearings are open to the public, and the Commission will be video streaming the hearings on the PUC’s website for those unable to attend the hearings in person.

The purpose of these hearings is to permit participants to inform the Commission on the following issues:

• Whether SCB is legal under the Public Utility Code and Commission regulations;
• Whether SCB is appropriate and in the public interest as a matter of policy;
• What are the possible benefits to consumers of SCB; and
• Potential alternatives to SCB.

On Jan. 18, 2018, the Commission approved a joint motion by Chairman Gladys M. Brown and Commissioner Norman J. Kennard to further explore the legality, merits and potential implementation of SCB, as well as the appropriateness of possible alternatives to SCB.  Under SCB, customers would receive a single, consolidated bill from their chosen EGS that would include both their electric distribution company’s (EDC) distribution charges and their EGS’s generation and transmission charges. 

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 No.:   M-2018-2645254

Contact:

• Deputy Press Secretary
  Governor's Office
  717-783-1116
  
• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov