Sparked by demand to simplify the billing procedures in itsderegulated electricity and gas industries, the New York StatePublic Service Commission (NYPSC) approved a recommendationyesterday allowing customers who choose an alternative supplier theoption to receive a single, combined bill for each utility service.

Under the new billing structure, the customer can choose if thebill for natural gas or electric service is issued by the utilityor the energy services company (ESCO) chosen by the customer.

Previously, the commission allowed the availability of a twobill arrangement under which the utility company would bill forelectric or gas delivery services and the ESCO would bill for theelectricity or natural gas and any other services provided.

While several single bill options were voluntarily developed bysome of the utilities, yesterday’s action by the commission willensure the availability of a uniform, single-bill option statewide,the commission said.

The single bill requirements will apply to the 10 major gas andelectric utilities in the state. Utilities will be required toprovide interested parties with drafts of their tariff amendmentsfor comment in April. Following collaboration and comments by staffand interested parties, formal tariff amendments, including actualback-out credits and billing charges, will be filed in June. It isanticipated that the new tariffs will take effect in October ofthis year.

“Our staffs research and the ESCOs experience in the market todate have shown a strong customer preference for a single bill forelectric or natural gas service,” said Public Service CommissionChairman Maureen O. Helmer.

The commission said that because the utilities recover billingand customer relations costs in delivery rates, they will need todevelop credits to be deducted from rates to reflect the costsavoided when a customer chooses to receive a single electric or gasbill from an ESCO. Dave Flanagan, an NYPSC spokesman said noestimates concerning the size of the credit is available.

Conversely, when the utility is selected to provide a combinedbill, it must develop charges to reflect the additional cost ofbilling on behalf of the ESCO. All proposed back-out credits andutility billing charges will be reviewed by staff and must beapproved by the commission.

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