Lisa from Plano. Found a rate class error that originated in a utility merger five years ago. The acquiring utility migrated accounts from the acquired utility but mapped old rate classes to new ones incorrectly for certain account types. My client ended up on a legacy rate class from the acquired utility that does not match any current schedule and is significantly more expensive than what they should be on. Has anyone dealt with post-merger rate class confusion?
Rate class error caused by utility merger — nobody updated the accounts
Margaret from Charleston. This is more common than people realize after mergers. The migration mapping is always imperfect and small and mid-sized commercial accounts rarely get manual review.
The utility initially claimed the legacy rate was correct and that my client had been grandfathered. But grandfathering a more expensive rate makes no sense and there was no documentation of any grandfathering agreement.
Margaret again. Ask for the merger rate transition plan that was filed with the state PUC. That document should show how accounts were supposed to be migrated and what the mapping was. If your client was mapped incorrectly it will show up there.
I had not thought to look at the PUC merger filing. That is a public document?
Knox from Baltimore. Yes, utility mergers require PUC approval and the rate transition plan is part of the public record. The commission often imposed conditions on how existing customers would be treated. If those conditions were violated you have a stronger case.
Going to request that filing today. This could change the entire nature of the dispute.
Margaret one more time. Utility merger rate errors often affect entire classes of customers, not just one account. If you find an error, check whether other similar businesses in the territory have the same problem. Class-wide issues get more attention from the PUC.