Visual Primer: Retail Energy Market Regulations Evolve to Help Customers Make Informed Choices

Visual Primer: Retail Energy Market Regulations Evolve to Help Customers Make Informed Choices

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

With growing access to competitive retail energy markets, regulatory reforms are focused on ensuring that consumers choosing third-party suppliers have accurate information to make educated decisions. In addition to updating marketing standards and sales practices that enhance customer protections, recent reforms are intended to empower customers by improving transparency of product and pricing information.

State Commissions Grapple With Impacts of Utility Disconnection Bans

Visual Primer: State Commissions Grapple With Impacts of Utility Disconnection Bans

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

In light of the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, state utility commissions are taking different approaches to mitigate the impacts on utilities and ratepayers. Several states have extended moratoriums on service terminations while directing utilities to proactively engage in outreach programs to inform customers about payment assistance and plans. Others have allowed utilities to resume disconnections for nonpayment as costs of unpaid bills continue to mount.

Utility Regulators Focus on Assisting Customers, Rekindling Economy as COVID-19 Evolves

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Utility Regulators Focus on Assisting Customers, Rekindling Economy as COVID-19 Evolves

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

As the pandemic continues to unfold, utility regulators across the U.S. are focusing on the core issues of providing relief for the hardest-hit customers and reviving the economy with the help of utility initiatives. To date, several states have extended disconnection moratoriums and implemented customer relief programs, while others are examining how additional spending by the utilities could provide new jobs while minimizing customer bill impacts in the future.

Utility Rate Cases Face Delays as COVID-19 Disrupts Procedural Schedules

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Utility Rate Cases Face Delays as COVID-19 Disrupts Procedural Schedules

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

Utility commissions in almost a dozen jurisdictions have canceled hearings and revised procedural schedules in several pending electric and natural gas rate cases. A few utilities have committed to delay the implementation of rates, in order to avoid burdening customers amid the difficult circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Commissions Examine Costs to Utilities Amid Uncertainty From Economic Effects of COVID-19

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – State Commissions Examine Costs to Utilities Amid Uncertainty From Economic Effects of COVID-19

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

Amid the economic downturn ensuing from the pandemic, state utility regulators are faced with the challenging task of protecting customers from power shutoffs while also considering costs incurred by utilities. A growing number of state commissions are directing utilities to establish a regulatory asset account to capture and track COVID-19-related incremental costs.

Unprecedented Challenges Caused by COVID-19

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – How Utility Commissions Are Responding to Unprecedented Challenges Caused by COVID-19

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wholesale Power, Wind

The volatile situation created by the COVID-19 spread has prompted state utility commissions to respond with new directives and guidance on a number of proceedings. Regulators have responded with various measures, including suspending service disconnections, transitioning to virtual meetings, and delaying rate cases.

More States Weigh Retail Electric Choice, Early Adopters Tighten the Bolts

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – As More States Weigh Retail Electric Choice, Early Adopters Tighten the Bolts

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Grid Modernization, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas, Solar, Wind

Retail electric choice has garnered increased attention as more states are weighing the prospects of opening their electricity markets to retail competition. In states with retail choice programs, regulators continue to strengthen oversight, in a bid to ensure customer protection and satisfactory service from competitive suppliers. Recent actions range from Arizona regulators’ efforts to implement customer choice, to New York’s strengthening oversight of energy marketers, and the Florida Supreme Court’s rejecting an energy choice ballot initiative.

EnerKnol Rates Tracking Table Q4 2019 Sample

EnerKnol Rates Tracking Table Q4 2019 Sample

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Natural Gas, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

Utilities are stepping up efforts to boost retail power and gas rates to offset tepid growth in electric demand and weak prices in the wholesale markets. Utilities are also overhauling how charges are set by launching non-traditional rate programs, including revenue decoupling and performance-based rates. Keep on top of the latest utility rate programs by…...

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EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – How Utility Rate Cases Are Evolving in the Face of New Energy Challenges

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Grid Modernization, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

Utility rate proceedings are evolving into forums to address emerging energy sector issues as grid modernization and resiliency, renewable energy procurement, and emissions reduction programs form a growing part of suppliers' business.

Regulatory evolution for a decentralized electric grid

Regulatory evolution for a decentralized electric grid: State of performance-based ratemaking in the U.S.

EnerKnol Insights, EnerKnol Research Reports, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Retail Power

An unprecedented number of states are upending how retail power rates are set as utility revenues get squeezed by the surge in distributed generation, like rooftop solar panels, and as providers face bold environmental mandates to address climate change. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia are exploring or have adopted performance-based rate programs through…...

U.S. Competitive Retail Energy Markets Face Slew of Oversight Bills Amid Growing Calls for Consumer Safeguards

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – U.S. Competitive Retail Energy Markets Face Slew of Oversight Bills Amid Growing Calls for Consumer Safeguards

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Visual Primer, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, REC Feed, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

More than half of U.S. states with competitive retail energy markets face proposals for stricter oversight rules from lawmakers, including measures to phase out the industry altogether, as efforts mount to put in place more consumer protections. Just five months into most states’ legislative sessions, over two dozen proposals have emerged to toughen rules around billing and marketing practices, licensing and registration and contractual terms.

AEP Subsidiary Reaches Settlement, Slashing Rate Hike Request by Almost Half

AEP Subsidiary Reaches Settlement, Slashing Rate Hike Request by Almost Half

EnerKnol Impacts, EnerKnol Pulse, Power & Utilities, Retail Power, Retail Power and Gas

The Public Service Company of Oklahoma reached a proposed settlement seeking a revenue increase of $46 million, down from the originally requested $88 million, according to a Feb. 27 press release by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The settlement would raise monthly residential electric bills by about $2.38 compared to an increase of $7 that would…...