The ALJ has issued a Proposed Order in Nicor's gas rate case. The Proposed Order provides that: 1) the monthly tolerance level should be increased from 2% to 5%; 2) Nicor should not be required to allocate a pro rata share of upstream capacity to suppliers at this time; 3) Customer Select customers should be assessed a balancing charge for Nicor's balancing service; 4) administrative charges associated with billing and gas supply should be included in rate base; 5) Nicor should not be required to provide a customer mailing list to suppliers; 6) either an account number or a meter number should be required for Customer Select sign-ups; 7) the maximum number of accounts for each Rider 13 group should be increased to 150; 8) credits associated with Hub services should be provided to all customers, including Sales, Transportation, and Select customers; and 9) commodity-related uncollectibles expense should be collected through rate base.

Exceptions are due August 26, 2005, and replies to exceptions are due August 31, 2005. The full text of the Proposed Order is available on the NEM Website.

Staff filed reply comments on the proposed electric and natural gas consumer protection regulations. Staff argued that: 1) there should be a five day window for completion of enrollments and drops; 2) customer lists should be provided to suppliers and those customers that wish to be excluded should be given an opportunity to be removed from the list; 3) when it is necessary to cancel and rebill a customer, the issue should be carried forward three years if necessary (the same period available for utility customers); 4) if a utility provides bill view access to its customers, it should also provide bill view access to the customers' competitive suppliers; 5) the supplier, rather than the utility, should provide the customer with notice of enrollment and notice of cancellation. The full text of Staff's Comments is available on the NEM Website.

The following procedural schedule has been set for Consumers gas rate case:

Staff/Intervenors Interim Testimony - 10/31/05
Motions to Strike - 11/07/05
Cross of Interim Witnesses - 11/14-18/05
Briefs on Interim Relief - 12/02/05
Order on Interim Relief - 12/20/05
Staff/Intervenors Final Testimony - 2/13/06
Rebuttal filings - 3/06/06
Motions to Strike - 3/13/06
Cross of all witnesses - 3/20-31/06
Briefs - 4/24/06
Reply Briefs - 5/08/06
Proposal for Decision(target) - 6/22/06

NEM has intervened in this proceeding. Members interested in participating should contact headquarters.

Central Hudson will hold a meeting of its retail access collaborative on August 31, 2005, at 10AM EST to discuss the details of its outreach and education plan for the termination of its Fixed Price Option. Letters to firm gas customers will be mailed the week of September 12. Those ESCOs that wish to mail their own materials (at their own expense by third party provider) to these customers should contact Jim Van Tassell at Central Hudson. The meeting will also be used to finalize details of the proposed energy fairs and ensure that ESCO information is presented accurately in all marketing materials. This meeting is important for those suppliers planning to offer fixed price gas supply for the upcoming heating season.

An article in the September issue of Dominion Virginia Power's (DVP's) customer newsletter will provide a brief explanation of renewable energy and will direct interested customers to websites listing electricity suppliers in Virginia. Customers interested in learning about renewable energy offers will be able to provide contact information, which DVP will make available to licensed and registered suppliers. In October, the Company will send a renewable energy bill insert containing similar information to customers in targeted areas. The list of customers who have expressed an interest in receiving offers from licensed and registered suppliers will be posted to the secured portion of DVP's supplier web site.