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In a letter filing, on June 30, 2025, Columbia Gas in Pennsylvania filed a letter informing the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) that the utility will allow third parties, including retail natural gas suppliers, to bill non-commodity services through Columbia’s utility bill or “on-bill” billing.  

The following standard terms and conditions that will apply to any third-party requests for “on-bill” billing: 

Entry Fee and Annual Billing Fees
Third parties are required to pay a one-time entry fee to cover Columbia’s internal and external costs associated with integrating the third party into Columbia’s billing system. Additionally, an annual billing fee is charged to support baseline billing system services and is invoiced in equal monthly installments. 

Monthly Per-Customer Billing Fee
A recurring monthly fee is assessed for each customer billed through Columbia’s system. This fee is designed to recover the incremental cost of including and processing third-party charges on customer bills. 

IT Integration, Maintenance and Modification Costs
Third parties must cover the cost of access to customer-facing systems such as websites, IVR, and mobile apps. This includes a base access fee and an annual maintenance fee. If enhancements or additional services are requested beyond the baseline support, Columbia may charge additional fees based on actual costs incurred. Access to IT integration services and customer list data described below is contingent upon payment of the entry fee and annual billing fees. 

Customer List Access and Associated Fees
Upon request and subject to applicable privacy policies and customer preferences, Columbia may provide updated customer lists. A recurring fee applies for this service. Third parties are required to delete outdated lists upon receipt of new ones and certify compliance. Additional provisions may allow for integration with utility communication channels, such as website links, subject to feasibility and security considerations. 

Contract Term Lengths
A long initial term, typically spanning multiple years, with automatic renewal periods unless terminated with advance notice. This structure provides long-term stability while allowing for periodic review and adjustment. 

Insurance Requirements
Third parties must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability, auto liability, umbrella/excess liability, cyber liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation that conforms with company standards. 

Indemnification
Third parties are required to indemnify Columbia against claims arising from breaches of the agreement, issues with covered products, or allegations that Columbia is acting as a debt collector or advertiser on behalf of the third party. 

Data Privacy and Security
Strict obligations apply to the handling of customer information. These include compliance with all applicable data privacy laws, restrictions on data use and sharing, incident reporting requirements, and annual audits. Data must be stored and processed within the United States.

Confidentiality
All customer and business information must be treated as confidential. Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited, and violations may result in injunctive relief and other remedies.”

As background, in 2018 Commission order the PUC had found that Columbia’s practice of offering “on-bill” billing was, “discriminatory.”

To comply with the Commission’s directive, in 2019 Columbia elected to cease offering of on-bill billing to any third party as described in its filing provided below:

“Pursuant to Ordering Paragraph 4 of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Order dated August 8, 2019 (“August 8 Order”) in the matter at Docket No. R-2018- 2647577, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc. (“Columbia” or “the Company”) submits the following notice detailing its compliance with Sections 1502 and 2203(4) of the Public Utility Code, 66 Pa. C.S. §§ 1502, 2203(4). 

As it relates to Columbia’s billing practice regarding “on bill” billing service for non-commodity goods and services¹, the Commission concluded that “Columbia must either provide such a service to all entities that provide such non-basic services or must discontinue the “on bill” billing policy.” (August 8 Order at 3, citing Opinion and Order dated December 6, 2018, Docket No. R-2018-2647577). In is August 8 Order, the Commission further directed Columbia “to end its ‘on bill’ billing practice for CSP and Nicor within two customer bill cycles or the end of the contracts, whichever comes first.” (August 8 Order at 11). Accordingly, Columbia submits that it has complied with the Commission’s directives and Sections 1502 and 2203(4) of the Public Utility Code, by discontinuing its “on-bill” billing practice. 

As of September 30, 2019, Columbia’s contract with Columbia Service Partners (“CSP”) has terminated and CSP no longer has access to Columbia bills. Likewise, as of October 28, 2019, Columbia has terminated its contract with Nicor/PHS and Nicor/PHS no longer has access to Columbia bills. As of October 28, 2019, the Company has discontinued its “on-bill” billing practice.”

Notice Re Intention To Change Practice To Permit On Bill Billing – Columbia Gas  (07/01/2025)
R-2018-2647577  (02/15/2018)