Mechanisms Dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19 and actions to - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Rate & Regulatory ry Mechanisms Dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19 and actions to protect customers Purpose of f This Presentation Present a broad range of potential rate and regulatory mechanisms for stakeholder consideration
Dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19 and actions to protect customers
regulatory mechanisms for stakeholder consideration and discussion.
results of the Staff survey provided to workshop participants, and a review of other states’ responses to COVID-19.
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Voluntary Roundups & Donations
Time Payment Agreements Deferred Payments Partial Arrears Forgiveness Arrears Management Programs Equal Pay Programs Delaying Rate Increases Public Purpose Charges Securitization Waiving Late Fees and Penalties Suspending Deposits Streamlining Customer Enrollment Cost Effectiveness Tests Community Solar Subsidization
not have the authority to implement low income specific rates.
long term solutions making rates more affordable, Staff believes they are currently outside the scope of this investigation, but is interested in views by participants.
authority to implement
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utility recovers in rates.
collections agencies.
the PUC has discretion to allow the utility to increase its uncollectables level accordingly.
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round up to $109.00.
relief, etc.
voluntary bill round ups as an opt-in feature to customers when paying their bill.
donation beyond the round up to help COVID relief.
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administered subject to OAR 860-021-0415
agreements
to the amount owed for certified low-income customers to the amount in the time payment agreement (would require law change).
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12 months 33% 18 months 31% 24 months 26% Other 6% No Answer 4%
23 21 18 4 3 5 10 15 20 25 12 months 18 months 24 months Other No Answer
reasons, including COVID-19 hardships
have been impacted, but are expected to be able to pay at a later date may do so
establishing deferred payment programs
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10 33% 25% 7% 35% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 6 Months 12 Months Other No Answer
How Long Should Debt be Deferred?
19% 41% 7% 26% 4% 3% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 6 Months 12 Months 18 Months 24 Months Other No Answer
How Many Months Should a Customer be Allowed to Amortize the Debt Over?
allow customers to have less uncertainty regarding their utility bill throughout the year
the same payment is made each month, with an annual true-up/adjustment
customers with no
11 71% 9% 10% 9% 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Yes No Unsure Other No Answer
Should Utilities Open Equal Payment Plans to Customers that Currently Have Outstanding Balances
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39 18 9 3 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Yes No Unsure No Answer
Yes 57% No 26% Unsure 13% No Answer 4%
relief, or a percentage of 2020 arrears to be forgiven, to be divided amongst eligible customers as a bill credit:
best for their specific level of COVID related arrears
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arrears forgiveness for customers
programs for residential customers
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1 12 𝐵 − 1 12 𝐵 ∗ 𝑌
after 12 months the full arrearage relief rate is forgiven.
becomes uncollectible.
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forgiveness? 50%, 25%, 10% etc.?
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Survey: If utilities were to put in place a tariff that allows some level of debt forgiveness, how many times should a customer be allowed to miss a monthly payment before losing the benefit of debt forgiveness?
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22% 30% 29% 16% 3% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% None One Two Other No Answer
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securities to cover costs associated with COVID-19
capital at a low interest rates
unnecessary in this instance given the deferrals in place related to COVID-19 costs
Blended Treasury Rate (MBT) before after amortization
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customers.
extended period of time
change)?
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Survey: Should utilities permanently suspend late payment fees, interest, and bank-card payment fees to customers certified as low income by Community Action agencies? (would require a change in law)
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49% 30% 19% 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Yes No Unsure No Answer
years (through June 2022).
for residential and commercial customers who are more than 60 or 90 days in arrears.
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monthly public-purpose charges toward bill assistance, low income weatherization, etc.
Public Purpose Charges
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Survey: Should Natural Gas Companies’ Public Purpose Charge (PPC) be increased to allow more funding for low income programs?
41% 29% 20% 4% 6% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Yes No Unsure Other No Answer
program, you automatically qualify
into these programs for the first time.
experience.
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regardless of who pays
ratepayers on the utility system are better off
Survey: Should the Commission relax certain cost effectiveness tests to allow the Energy Trust to invest more heavily in low-income weatherization and other energy efficiency initiatives such as ductless heat pumps beyond what is cost-effective?
27 46% 16% 24% 10% 4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Yes No Unsure Other No Answer
Continue projects underway and expand upon them.
energy burden.
weatherization.
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in place (PGE, Avista, Cascade, Northwest Natural).
there is the potential for surcharges to commercial customers.
eliminated in 2021. Utilities could agree to collect interest at MBT.
(PGA) rate increases and could also be delayed.
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customers in the Oregon Community Solar program by paying their first year subscription fee?
that low-income participants receive a 20% subscription discount.
excess of their program subscription fees.
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