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PUC Adopts Staff’s Proposed CRES And CRNGS Rule Amendments
Re: In The Matter Of The Commission’s Review Of Chapter 4901:1-21 Of The Ohio Administrative Code.
The PUC of Ohio has adopted revisions to several of the competitive retail electric and natural gas rules under Ohio Admin. Code 4901:1-21, 4901:1-23, 4901:1-24, 4901:1-27, 4901:1-28, 4901:1-29, 4901:1-30, 4901:1-33, and 4901:1-34.
The Commission order revisions are limited to previously proposed by Staff only. The Commission did not adopt broader changes on marketing and enrollment sought by the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel or proposed by other suppliers. PUCO also declined to undertake an alignment between the competitive electric supplier CRES) and competitive natural gas supplier (CRNGS) rules at this time. “In response to those requests, the Commission will initiate a more comprehensive and thorough review to attempt to achieve further consistency between CRES and CRNGS rules, as well as finalize the review required by R.C. 121.951(A)(1) [a statutory mandate to reduce regulatory burdens], in a subsequent rulemaking.”
Minor changes or additions include:
- Gas Bills – The Commission order did add language for gas dual bills and gas supplier consolidated bills that calls for a specific highlighted notice on the bill of changes in rates or terms. Specifically, a rule governing the issuance a bill to a customer by a gas supplier now states, “customer bills should highlight and provide a clear explanation of any changes in the rates, terms, and conditions of service, for two consecutive billing periods. “This added language is meant to promote the objectives already stated in the rule, which had already provided that gas supplier bills, “shall be accurate and understandable, be rendered at intervals consistent with those of the customer’s natural gas company, and contain sufficient information for customers to compute and compare the total cost of competitive retail natural gas service(s).”
- Digital TPV Waiver – Given that PUCO did not alter the current audio TPV rule, PUCO granted extensions of the prior waivers to specific retail suppliers to allow the continued use of a digital TPV for those suppliers. PUCO said, “As is apparent in the attached rules, we have not substantively modified the existing TPV enrollment and consent requirements set forth in Ohio Adm.Code Chapters 4901:1-21 and 4901:1-29. Accordingly, unless otherwise ordered, the existing waivers in the cases listed above will be extended until the Commission issues an order substantively addressing the TPV and/or enrollment requirements in the next five-year rule review for Ohio Adm.Code Chapters 4901:1-21 and 4901:1-29, as discussed earlier in this Finding and Order. Further, these parties which have been granted such waiver requests, as well as all other interested stakeholders, will have the opportunity to fully participate in that future rulemaking process, including submitting comments regarding suggested modifications to the TPV customer enrollment and consent requirements.”
- License Renewals – In terms of the limited changes proposed by Staff noted above, PUCO codified prior waivers concerning the timelines for license renewals. Suppliers may now file for renewals up to 90 days prior to certificate expiration, rather than 60 days. A supplier filing a renewal application fewer than 30 days before expiration (as required) will be granted an automatic – extension of the existing certificate for a period of 31 days from the date the renewal was filed. A supplier who files for renewal after expiration of a certificate may request an extension of the existing certificate for a period of 90 days. Previously, this extension for suppliers filing after certificate expiration lasted “during the pendency” of the renewal review.
- Credit Reports/Ratings – PUCO also codified that suppliers may file credit reports and credit ratings under seal when submitted as part of their license applications (like the current protection provided to financial statements)
Finding & Order (02/21/2024
(Finding & Order that the Commission adopts amendments to the competitive retail electric service and competitive retail natural gas service rules in Ohio Adm.Code Chapters 4901:1-21, 4901:1-23, 4901:1-24, 4901:1-27, 4901:1-28, 4901:1-29, 4901:1-30, 4901:1-33, and 4901:1-34. Further, the Commission finds Ohio Adm.Code Chapters 4901:1-31 and 4901:1-32 should be adopted with no changes)
17-1843-EL-ORD (8/28/2017)
