PAEE Surcharge Questions

Question & Answer...

PA E E Surcharge Questions

What is the PA E E Surcharge (Fixed and Variable)?
The PA E E Surcharge (Fixed and Variable) is defined as charges for energy efficiency programs that help customers conserve energy and reduce demand.

Why is my PA E E Surcharge amount changing?
At a public meeting held on January 14, 2010, Commissioner Powelson expressed concern after reviewing customer data and other information submitted with the November 2009 Compliance Filing and moved that the Commission amend and modify the October 2009 Order consistent with the concerns expressed in his Motion. Subsequently, the Commission entered an Opinion and Order dated February 2, 2010.

Where can I find a copy of the February 2, 2010 Order?
February 2, 2010 Order from the PUC 

How will my PA E E Surcharge change?
In the February 2, 2010 Order, the Commission directed Duquesne Light Company to restore the customer charge components of the Large Commercial and Industrial ( Large C&I ) cost recovery mechanisms for the recovery of the administrative costs of the programs. In accordance with this request, Duquesne Light will implement the rate design of a fixed customer charge to recover the administrative costs and a demand charge, using peak load contribution, to recover the incentive costs for Large C&I customers. All other customer class surcharge rates will remain the same.

What will I now be charged?
Only the Large Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Demand Response Surcharge will change. The revised surcharge is highlighted below.

Monthly Surcharge applicable to the customer's Peak Load Contribution

When will the new PA E E Surcharge take effect?
The new surcharge will go into effect on 4/1/2010. Duquesne will reconcile the revenues from the surcharges currently in effect with the new surcharges back to the effective date of the current surcharges, December 1, 2009, on an individual customer basis. The difference in the revenues between the two surcharges will be reflected as a credit or a charge adjustment on each customer's bill in the first billing cycle after the effective date of the new surcharge.

Will I receive money back?
The total difference between the two surcharges will be displayed as a one-time credit or charge adjustment on your bill after the effective date of the new surcharge. A message will also be included on the bill explaining the line item adjustment.

What will the message say on my bill if I receive a one-time credit or charge adjustment?
True-UP Adjustment: The adjustment line on your bill reflects your true-up amount of $XX.XX for the revised PA E E surcharge from December 1, 2009 to the current billing month in compliance with the PA Public Utility Commission's February 2, 2010 Order.

What will my new bill look like?
The True-Up adjustment will be combined with other adjustments in the Adjustment line highlighted below. The fixed customer charge component of the surcharge (PA E E Fixed) and the demand charge component of the surcharge (PA E E Variable) will be two separate line item charges on the customer bill.

What costs are considered part of the PA E E Fixed Surcharge?
Administrative costs include, but are not limited to, costs relating to plan and program development, cost-benefit analysis, measurement and verification, and reporting.

Why am I being surcharged?
Act 129 allows all Electric Distribution Companies ( EDCs ) to recover on a full and current basis from customers, through a reconcilable adjustment clause under 66 Pa. C.S. 1307, all reasonable and prudent costs incurred in the provision or management of its plan. The Act also requires that each EDCs plan include a proposed cost-recovery tariff mechanism, in accordance with 66 Pa. C.S.  1307 to fund all measures and to ensure full and current recovery of prudent and reasonable costs, including administrative costs, as approved by the Commission.

Where can I find a listing of Duquesne Light's Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Demand Response Surcharge rates?
Duquesne Light Company's Tariff Supplement No. 30