The Commission is considering a proposed rule on regulatory filing requirements. The proposed rule would require "companies, utilities, marketers and operators to file via email, a notice with the Commission of any filing it makes, or that is made on its behalf, with any federal or state government agency, department, board, or bureau." The proposal is based on the Commission's perceived need to, "more closely monitor and participate in those proceedings before federal regulatory agencies that may have an impact on Georgia utilities and their ratepayers." The email filings are proposed to include, "a description of the purpose of said filing(s), including, but not limited to, the impact, if any, upon its operations within the state of Georgia of the granting of requested approval or actions requested of any petition for agency, department, board or bureau." Comments on the proposed rule are due August 18, 2006. The full text of the NOPR is available on the NEM Website.

The Commission directed the Electric Universal Service Program Working Group to consider the issue of participation by retail suppliers in the EUSP. The Commission directed the Working Group "to formulate recommendations to effect access to EUSP funds by customers who endeavor to switch to retail suppliers." Participation in the EUSP would involve residential customers only. Meetings will be held:

July 26, 2006 - all day
July 27, 2006 - 11AM to 5 PM
July 31, 2006 - all day
August 1, 2006 - 1PM to 5PM

A Working Group report on the issue is due August 15, 2006. Those interested in participating in these EUSP Working Group sessions should contact Annette Garofalo at MDPSC Staff (agarofalo@psc.state.md.us). The meetings will be held at BGE Spring Gardens. The Commission's EUSP Order is available on the NEM Website.

The ALJ issued a proposal for decision in the Consumers gas rate case. NEM had recommended moving to an aggregate reconciliation process from the current pool by pool annual reconciliation process. NEM also recommended convening a collaborative to examine possible improvements to the gas choice program. The ALJ proposed that the Commission reject the aggregate reconciliation proposal finding that the financial impact was unclear and fearing that "changing one variable of the program could affect other aspects of the program and adversely affect GCR customers." Despite the fact that more than five years have passed since the choice program was implemented, the ALJ also concluded that a collaborative was unnecessary. Exceptions to the Proposal for Decision are due August 2, 2006, and replies to exceptions are due August 16, 2006. The full text of the Proposal for Decision is available on the NEM Website.

The Commission opened a rulemaking proceeding on compliance with the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act by electric utilities and marketers. Utilities and marketers are required to demonstrate compliance with renewable standards on annual basis. The proposed rulemaking addresses utility and marketer obligations; fuel and technology standards for alternative energy sources; alternative energy system quantification, credit certification and credit program administrator; alternative compliance payments; force majeure provisions; cost recovery; and banking of alternative energy credits. Comments are due sixty days from the date of publication in the PA Bulletin. The full text of the NOPR will be posted on the NEM Website when made available electronically.

Dominion Virginia Power posted an updated Mass List that is accessible on its secured site by aggregators and marketers licensed with the SCC and registered with Dominion Virginia Power. The list is split into 72 files, based on zip codes, and the files are compressed and downloadable. Dominion Virginia Power's Competitive Service Provider site is available at:

http://www.dom.com/customer/vapower/energychoice/supplier/index.jsp

The site has the links to the Supplier Information Center, Secured Site, and more. Questions should be directed to Electric_Supplier_Relations@dom.com.