The Commission recently issued an Order launching an inquiry into the electric supplier certification and conduct rules. The inquiry will examine, "Supplier Rule revisions that will ensure electric choice for Customers is more competitive and in compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement entered into by the parties in PSC Docket 10-2; to provide additional protection for Customers; to require Electric Suppliers to include additional details regarding the rates, terms, and conditions of service in their offers to Customers to provide Electric Supply Services; to clarify sections of the Supplier Rules; to make the certification process for Electric Suppliers more uniform." The first workshop in the inquiry will be held by Commission Staff on August 20, 2012, at the Commission's offices. At the conclusion of the workshop process, Staff will submit proposed rule revisions to the Commission, and they may then issue them subject to notice and hearing processes. The full text of the Workshop Notice is available on the NEM Website.

The Board will convene a "legislative-type" hearing on 2013 BGS procurement proposals on September 21, 2012, from 10AM at the Board's Trenton offices. The purpose of the hearing is to take comments on the utilities' filed BGS proposals and on any alternative BGS proposals from stakeholders. Those wishing to participate in the hearing should contact Frank Perrotti at Frank.Perrotti@bpu.state.nj.us by September 14, 2012. Final comments on the BGS procurement proposals are due September 28, 2012. The full text of the Notice of Legislative Hearing is available on the NEM Website.

NFG filed proposed revisions to its Gas Transportation Operating Procedures Manual (GTOP) with the Commission. NFG explains that, "The primary purpose of this filing is to introduce new forms and procedures related to reclassification of Customer accounts and application of sales tax on Marketer charges for bills issued by Distribution under the Utility Combined Bill option. Additionally, clarification of Capacity Assignment/Use Procedures and the format/procedures for submitting marketer rate changes under the Utility Combined Bill option are provided." The changes are proposed to become effective thirty days from the date of filing.

Under the Capacity Assignment/Use Procedures section of the GTOP language would be added as to what constitutes supplier non-compliance and default as follows:

"Distribution releases pipeline capacity to Suppliers on a month-to-month basis. It is the responsibility of the Supplier to ensure that it is qualified to obtain capacity based upon the FERC tariff requirements and administrative procedures for each upstream interstate pipeline. Suppliers that fail to take the necessary steps to obtain the capacity release from Distribution in time to place a timely pipeline nomination for the first day of the calendar month will be considered out of compliance with the applicable reliability requirements in the terms and conditions of Distribution’s tariff, operating agreements, or this manual. If a Supplier does not meet this requirement more than once in a 12-month period, this event will be reported to Commission Staff. If a Supplier fails to meet this requirement more than twice in a 12-month period, the Supplier’s STBA Agreement will be in default and the Supplier will be subject to the involuntary discontinuance of service procedures under the UBPs. Upon termination, the Supplier shall be prohibited from receiving service under STBA Service for a period of three (3) months."

The filing also includes language on the marketers' calculation of sales tax to be included in a utility consolidated bill. The full text of the NFG GTOP Filing is available on the NEM Website.