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PUC Adopts Interim Gas Supplier Guidelines To Continues Five-Day Waiting Period
Excerpts from the Order:
{***} “Before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Commission) is a recommendation from the Commission’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight (OCMO) to continue the five-day waiting period when a customer chooses a natural gas supplier (NGS) or returns to natural gas distribution company (NGDC) service and, therefore, to maintain the waiver of the Commission’s regulations at 52 Pa. Code §§ 59.93(2) (relating to customer contacts with NGSs) and 59.94 (relating to time frames for switching), to the extent necessary. Specifically, OCMO recommends that the Commission waive its Regulations at 52 Pa. Code §§ 59.93(2) and 59.94 for an additional three years.” {***}
{***} DISCUSSION
“The Commission’s existing waiver of 52 Pa. Code §§ 59.93(2) and 59.94 and extension of the interim guidelines pursuant to its August 26, 2021 Tentative Order at this docket sunset on October 25, 2024. We deem that an extension of the interim guidelines as set forth in Appendix A is warranted during the pendency of the NGS switching rulemaking at Docket No. I-2013-2381742. In our opinion, reverting back to the ten-day period in our current regulations from the five-day timeframe permitted under the existing waiver would be counterproductive and -confusing for customers, potentially leading to renewed customer frustration with the natural gas supply market. Additionally, to date, we have not received any adverse comments, complaints, concerns, or suggestions of problems with the five-day waiting period.
Therefore, we propose to waive 52 Pa. Code §§ 59.93(2) and 59.94 and adopt the interim guidelines in Appendix A to continue the five-day waiting period for an additional three years through January 9, 2028. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to maintain the interim guidelines while the NGS switching rulemaking proceeds. This three-year period, ending January 9, 2028, will allow the Commission additional time to address the pending rulemaking that may revise our Regulations at 52 Pa. Code §§ 59.91- 59.99 to permanently change the switching waiting period.” {***}
CONCLUSION
{***} “With this Tentative Order, the Commission seeks to extend the waivers of its Regulations at 52 Pa. Code §§ 59.93(2) and 59.94, to the extent necessary, and to maintain and continue the five-day waiting period for a duration of three years through January 9, 2028. Parties may provide comments within ten days of the entry date of this Tentative Order. In the absence of any adverse comments, this Tentative Order will become final without further Commission action.” {***}
Tentative Order (01/08/2024)
I-2013-2381742
Investigation of Pennsylvania’s Retail Natural Gas Supply Market – Interim Guidelines Regarding Standards For Changing a Customer’s Natural Gas Supplier

