WGES filed a petition with the Commission requesting that it initiate an investigation into the processes and procedures to be used by retail electric suppliers to access smart meter data once Pepco's deployment of smart meters has been completed. WGES explains that retail suppliers would benefit from understanding these details so they could better plan innovative product and service offerings.

WGES raises the following questions related to billing, real-time data and communications, PJM settlement and customer enrollment:
"I. Questions Related to Billing
* When can suppliers expect to receive customers' hourly data? Will there be one set roll-out date on which suppliers can expect to receive customers' hourly data, or will the transmission of this data be phased-in? Will the availability of hourly data from customers' advanced meters be dependent on the installation of a 'critical mass' of advanced meters?
* Will all meters be handled like current interval meters for EDI?
* Is there, or will there be, a 'flag' in EDI pre-enrollment historical usage responses to idenfify customers that have advanced meters?
* What kind, if any, of data quality checks and parameters will be established? If data quality checks and parameters are established, who will ensure compliance? Will suppliers receive 'raw' data, or will the data be filtered/standardized?
* Will suppliers have choices regarding billing data details (e.g., the ability to choose to receive hourly data in EDI billing data transactions or summary level data)?
* How will suppliers coordinate with Pepco to receive the desired level of billing data details?
* Will interval data be supplied in hourly or 15-minute increments?
* As suppliers introduce products and services to take advantage of the availability of interval meter data, will suppliers be given more space on bills to adequately/accurately describe the product and price?

II. Questions Related to Real-Time Data and Communications
* By what date will customers be able to access and view their usage data in real time?
* What kind, if any, of data quality checks and parameters will be established? If data quality checks and parameters are established, who will ensure compliance? Will customers receive 'raw' data, or will the data be filtered/standardized?
* Will the advanced meters have the capability to interfere with customers' building automation systems and thermostats?
* Will suppliers get real time outage data for their customers?
* Will customers be able to allow their suppliers to use the AMI communication systems to send signals to the customer about pricing or load reductions?

III. Questions Related to PJM Settlement
* When will hourly meter data be used for settlement? Is there a date certain on and after which hourly data will be used for settlement, or will this be phased-in?
* When will suppliers be able to receive historical hourly interval data (HIU) based on AMI meter data?
* What will be the method used to communicate HIU to suppliers: Internet portal or EDI?
* How far back will suppliers be able to get HIU data? e.g. will interval data be collected beginning on the date of AMI meter installation? Will HIU data be available all the way back to the date of meter installation?
* Will customers be allowed to opt-out of having hourly meters and will load profiles still exist and be utilized for any customers who opt-out of advanced meter installation?

IV. Question Related to Customer Enrollment
* Is there any expectation that the availability of AMI will be used to decrease the length of time required for customer switching?"

The full text of the WGES Petition is available from NEM headquarters.

NIMO filed gas and electric base rate cases for rates proposed to become effective April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014. However, NIMO filed supporting data to support a potential two to three year rate settlement. NIMO is seeking to increase electric revenues by $130.7 million, but under NIMO's proposal all electric customers except street lighting would have a delivery rate decrease. NIMO is seeking to increase gas revenues by $39.8 million resulting in a rate increase for gas customers and street lighting customers.

On the gas side, NIMO is proposing to change its Merchant Function Charge (MFC) calculation by: expanding its applicability to SC3 customers; modiying the return requirement on gas storage inventory; implementing a new charge to recover the return requirement on working capital for purchased gas; and to reconcile annually the recovery of commodity-related credit and collection expenses. NIMO is also proposing a change to the calculation of the electric MFC. NIMO proposes that SC12 customers be exempt from the electric MFC. This will result in changes to the gas and electric POR discount rates.

The billing charges/backout credits to issue a consolidated bill on behalf of an ESCO are proposed to change also. The charge for gas only customers will increase to $1.24 (from $0.53), and the charge for electric only customers will increase to $1.24 (from $1.15). The charge for dual gas and electric customers will increase to $0.62 (from $0.50). Customers participating in paperless billing, including ESCO POR customers, will receive a $0.40 bill credit.

NIMO is proposing to change the disconnect charge for when it disconnects a customer for non-payment of ESCO charges. The charges for electric disconnection are proposed to be $46 at the meter and $146 at the pole. The charge for gas disconnection is proposed to be $46.

The full text of the NIMO Base Rate Case Filing is available from NEM headquarters.

The Commission adopted a Final Order and Intermediate Work Plan in its proceeding to examine improving competition in the retail electricity market. One of the elements of the plan was for a coordinated three piece mailing to residential and small business electric consumers. The Commission is proposing to delay the mailing of the second (www.PAPowerSwitch.comtri-fold flyer) and third (FAQ) mailings until November 2012 and 2013, respectively. Based on feedback it has received, the Commission is concerned that consumers may be overwhelmed by the amount of choice mailings they are receiving, which could lead to the unintended consequence of a negative perception of energy choice. Comments on the Commission's proposal are due May 29, 2012. The full text of the Secretarial Letter is available on the NEM Website.