Press Release

PUC Permits PECO Energy to File Modified Plan for its Advance Payments Pilot Program

Published on 4/25/2019

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today permitted PECO Energy Company (PECO) to file a modified advance payments pilot program open to new or existing electricity customers of the utility.

The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt a joint motion by Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille and Vice Chairman David W. Sweet that modifies the proposed prepaid service pilot program previously submitted by PECO, and permits the company to submit a compliance filing that includes significant modifications aimed at ensuring customer protections and education.

“This approval is meant to permit an innovative pilot program consistent with available technologies to allow customers and applicants more convenience and flexibility,” said Commissioners Brown Dutrieuille and Sweet in their joint motion.  “We assure all stakeholders that this approval is not intended to circumvent or reduce the consumer protections to which customers are now entitled.”

PECO may file a compliance plan within 60 days of the date of the Commission’s final order which establishes a prepaid metering pilot program with the following PUC-directed modifications:

1. A customer who has not paid during the five-day grace period is automatically removed from the program and returned to standard payment terms and conditions, including, but not limited to, the traditional termination procedures. 
    
2. A participant who informs PECO that a medical certification will be provided is automatically removed from this program and returned to standard payment terms and conditions in order to provide full consumer protections to those in need of them.
    
3. Existing deposits may be eligible for application to the program but may be returned to the customer at the customer’s election. 
    
4. Customers holding an active protection from abuse order are eligible for this Plan but must be informed of their other payment plan options in order to determine which may be the best choice for them.
    
5. PECO may not initiate a fee for payments made on the website or customer portal.

As part of their motion, Chairman Brown Dutrieuille and Vice Chairman Sweet stressed that advanced metering has opened a door to new possibilities that were not available under prior metering systems, and the traditional monthly billing cycle is no longer the only way to approach billing - as smart meters can transmit daily usage.

“Customers using the prepaid program can add funds to their accounts in a manner that suits their needs, perhaps adding funds every two weeks to coincide with their paychecks, instead of making a large payment monthly,” the Commissioners wrote in their motion.

If PUC-proposed modifications are not acceptable to PECO, then the company will simply not file its compliance filing.

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.:  P-2016-2573023

Contact:

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