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Utilities Seek a Temporary Waiver of New Rule Requiring Expedited Return of Mercantile Customer to SOS
On July 17, 2026 the Ohio Edison Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, and The Toledo Edison Company (collectively, the “Companies”) filed a application for a limited waiver request of Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21-21(A) adopted in Case No. 25-0741-EL-ORD.
“To the extent the electronic data interchange (“EDI”) transaction referenced in Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21-21(A) is required to be available on July 17, 2026, a temporary waiver is needed to provide the Companies with adequate time to develop the EDI transaction and coordinate it through the EDI working group. The Companies will be able to receive and process any certified requests for an expedited return of a mercantile customer to the Companies’ standard service offer (“SSO”) using the Commission’s form identified in Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21- 21(C) until the EDI transaction is available and thereafter. The Companies further request expedited treatment of this Application.”
“Although the Companies are requesting a limited waiver with respect to the EDI transaction, the Companies will be able to process any certified requests for a mercantile customer’s expedited return to the Companies’ SSO submitted using the Commission’s certified request form identified in Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21-21(C) until the EDI transaction becomes available and thereafter. Therefore, the Companies can otherwise comply with the provisions of Ohio Adm.Code 4901:1-21-21 and 4901:1-10-36 with approval of this limited waiver.”
When PUCO adopted the new rules, the Commission noted that utilities may require additional time to implement necessary system changes, and acknowledged that an electric distribution company EDC can seek a temporary waiver supported by good cause.
