Following the recommendation of a Staff Report, the Commission has opened an investigation into ComEd's supply rate design. Specifically, the investigation will examine, "issues related to supply rate design regarding residential customers of the Company and to address the proper allocation of non-coincidental peak demand among the four residential customer classes." The Staff Report noted the potential subsidies associated with non-space heating customers and suggested exploring the issue of whether a separate supply rate for such customers continues to be warranted, particulary in view of increased activity in the competitive market, and the impacts on the competitieve market of the existing separate rates. The full texts of the Initiating Order and Staff Report are available on the NEM Website.

NEM filed comments on the Board’s proposed readoption with amendments of its Energy Competition Rules. NEM noted its support for a number of the Board's proposed rule changes including modifying the rules to provide a consumer with a seven calendar day right of contract rescission, instead of the current fourteen calendar day provision. NEM also supported the Board's proposal to allow audio verification of a customer switch to be performed by a competitive supplier or by an independent third party. NEM did however oppose the proposal that the entire marketing portion of the call be taped. NEM offered additional suggested rule changes: 1) eliminate the requirement of thirty days written notice of termination; 2) modify the marketing standards to allow competitive suppliers to better express the value of competitive offerings; 3) examine the appropriate utility credit requirements based on capacity obligations. The full text of NEM's Comments is available on the NEM Website.

NFG recently filed proposed changes to its tariff pertaining to storage inventory balance requirements. Of particular concern are the proposed changes to required storage inventory levels. Additionally, there is a discrepancy in the demand charge applied to a supplier when a new customer is added (storage gas transfer rate) versus the rate when storage is returned by the supplier because of reduced customer usage (base storage transfer rate). The changes are proposed to become effective on August 31, 2011. Comments on the filing are due July 25, 2011. The full text of the NFG Filing is available on the NEM Website.

NEM filed comments in support of a Petition suggesting that the electric utility pricing be removed from the Power to Choose website. NEM further recommended that the removal of the electric utility pricing information be accompanied in the interim by a utility pricing disclaimer on the Power to Choose website that discloses to consumers that electric prices fluctuate on a daily basis and that prices can be extremely volatile, particularly in peak seasons. As a long term goal, NEM suggested that a stakeholder collaborative be formed for the purpose of studying how electric utility pricing can be disclosed to consumers in a more accurate, transparent and timely fashion. The full text of NEM's Comments is available on the NEM Website.