Electric Disconnection Rules Pending at PUC

On April 16, the Public Utility Commission proposed amendments to its electric service disconnection rules. The amendments would modify the eligibility requirements for deferred payment plans and other low-income customer protections. The amendments also modify the disconnection notice requirements as they pertain to customers with life-threatening medical conditions. Finally, the amendments contain a proposed switch-hold rule intended to prevent customers from changing retail providers without first paying any balance they owe to their previous provider.

The proposed amendments, drafted by Commission staff, are part of an ongoing effort by the agency to clarify various billing issues that are important both to retail electric providers and consumers. The Commission is accepting public comments on the proposed amendments, although comments must be submitted by May 6. Interested parties can also submit replies to those comments by May 21. The agency’s three Commissioners are expected to adopt a final version of the rules sometime early this summer.

To read the proposed amendments, click here.

--Eileen McPhee

Regulatory experts needed for Afghanistan, Iraq

Never thought your knowledge of tariff methodologies and docketing systems would lead to exciting adventure? Think again.

In an email blast to American utility officials and consultants, the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners signals that the war-torn countries of Afghanistan and Iraq need help establishing electric regulatory agencies. Explains Erin Skootsky, director of NARUC's international programs: "Afghanistan is planning to create a regulatory agency, pending passage of legislation (and) Iraq plans to create a Department of Regulation at the Ministry of Electricity following passage of an electricity regulatory law.”

Skootsky notes that her organization “has been approached” about potentially assisting with in-country technical training programs and workshops. She said the training would be short-term — one week for NARUC member volunteers and 1-3 weeks for consultants — and focused on the foundations of regulation, management of a regulatory agency, tariff methodologies, licensing issues, docketing systems and consumer protection. There’s no indication from Ms. Skootsky’s email about which government or organization, specifically, solicited NARUC’s assistance.

Other details? According to preliminary security information cited by Ms. Skootsky, participants would be lodged at United States government facilities or guest houses and not in independent hotels. "Project security would inspect all locations prior to meetings and provide local ground transportation," writes Ms. Skootsky, adding that "country clearance and other security arrangements will be quite extensive."

For those interested, replies should be sent to Ms. Skootsky by April 12, 2010. Her email address is eskootsky@naruc.org.

-- R.A. Dyer