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Excerpts from ALJ Entry:

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On July 12, 2024, EOG and Ohio Energy Leadership Council (together, Movants) filed a motion to modify the procedural schedule.

Movants seek these modifications to allow the parties an opportunity for more time to review objections and consider settlement discussions to resolve contested issues. Movants state that, according to their discussions with other parties, the parties could be prepared to discuss a new date for hearing at the August 20, 2024, prehearing conference. Finally, Movants represent that no parties to the proceedings objected to the motion. Pursuant Adm.Code 4901-1-12(C), Movants request an expedited ruling on its motion. {¶ 13} 

Upon consideration of the motion and the statements therein, the ALJ finds the motion is reasonable and should be granted. Therefore, the procedural schedule issued June 28, 2024, should be modified in the following manner: 

1. the filing date for direct testimony due by EOG and other parties (except Staff) is extended to August 9, 2024; 23-894-GA-AIR et.al -5 – 
2. the date for motions to strike objections is extended to August 12, 2024; and the date for memoranda contra motions to strike objections is extended to August 19, 2024; and
3. the September 3, 2024, hearing date is converted into a call and continue. 

A new date for the evidentiary hearing in this case will be determined at the August 20, 2024, prehearing conference. Parties attending the prehearing conference should be prepared to discuss potential dates.

As reported previously PUCO Staff’s proposed to introduce a POR discount to the gas utility’s program, which to date has had been set at a zero discount.  Alternatively proposed that other mechanisms should be explored to address write-offs associated with retail supplier debt, which is currently recovered under Enbridge’s Uncollectible Expense Rider (UEX).

Enbridge Gas Ohio (f/k/a Dominion East Ohio) opposes Staff’s proposal from the Public Utilizes Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to introduce a discount to the gas utility’s purchase of receivables (POR) program.

Staff also recommended that the Ohio gas utility examine, “the continued need for a purchase of receivable program as the Company exits the retail merchant function.”

Enbridge Gas Ohio responded by stating, “Generally speaking, this recommendation appears premised on review of a very narrow data set, does not include any analysis of the impact on the competitive market or on customers if the recommendations on pricing were adopted, and does not address whether such pricing regulation would be permissible under Ohio law.”

Competitive Retail Gas Suppliers (CRNGS) also objected to the introduction of a discount to the POR program including Interstate Gas Supply.  “The only supporting statement in the Staff Report for this recommendation is that the Company’s purchase of a supplier’s receivables ‘contributes’ to the amount owed [by customers at disconnection.”  “There is no evidence that shows a material impact of the purchase of receivables on the amount owed at disconnection.” 

RESA’s Objection  (07/26/2024)
Akron Energy Systems  (07/26/2024)
Ohio Energy Group  (07/26/2024)
Enbridge Gas Ohio (07/26/2024)
Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (07/26/2024)
ALJ Entry  (07/16/2024)
Staff Report  (06/26/2024)
23-0897-GA-ATA  (Opened 09/29/2023)
23-0897-GA-ATA  (Opened 09/29/2023)
The East Ohio Gas Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Ohio – ATA-Application for tariff approval

See also:  23-0894-GA-AIR23-0895-GA-ALT23-0896-GA-AAM23-0897-GA-ATA