Rosa M. in Chicago here with a ComEd nightmare. Large retail client been on Rate RDS (Rider Demand Supply) when they should be on Rate REBS (Real Time Energy - Basic Service). The demand profile is completely wrong for RDS - they have most usage during off-peak hours but paying peak demand charges. ComEd says they can only adjust 24 months back. We're talking about $47,000 in potential recovery over 4 years. Anyone dealt with ComEd on retroactive TOU corrections beyond 2 years?
ComEd TOU Schedule Completely Wrong - 4 Years of Overcharges
James C. from Hartford - different utility but similar situation with Eversource. The key with TOU misclassifications is proving the customer's load profile never matched the rate they were on. If you can show their usage pattern was consistently better suited for REBS during the entire period, that strengthens your case for utility error. Do you have 15-minute interval data for the full 4 years?
Randy Dawson here. Rosa, ComEd TOU issues are unfortunately common. The Illinois Commerce Commission has been more favorable to customers on billing error cases lately. However, you need to prove this was utility administrative error, not just a better rate option that became available. Key questions: Did your client's load profile change significantly during the 4-year period? Was REBS available when they were first connected? Did ComEd ever recommend the current rate or did they auto-assign it? Also, check if there were any rate schedule changes during the dispute period that might complicate the retroactive calculation.
Lou W. from El Paso - dealt with similar issue with El Paso Electric TOU rates. Randy's right about proving it was utility error. One thing that helped my case was showing that the utility never provided rate comparison information when customer first signed up. If ComEd never offered the rate options or provided analysis, that could be considered inadequate disclosure. Worth checking your original service documents.
Thanks Randy and everyone. Yes, I have complete interval data for all 4 years - load profile has been extremely consistent. James, the usage pattern is textbook REBS customer - 70% of consumption during off-peak periods. Lou, great point about rate disclosure - ComEd never provided any rate comparison when service started. Original service application just has "standard commercial rate" checked. This is looking more like utility error rather than customer choice.
Alice M. from Rochester - NYSEG territory. Had a similar case where utility put customer on wrong TOU variant. The regulatory commission ruled that utilities have obligation to place customers on most appropriate rate given their usage profile. If ComEd had the data and never suggested REBS, that could be considered failure to provide proper service. File with ICC sooner rather than later - some states have filing deadlines for billing disputes.
Don R. from Omaha - OPPD territory. Quick question Rosa - what's your client's peak demand and annual usage? Some TOU rates have minimum demand requirements that might affect eligibility during the 4-year period. Also worth checking if ComEd changed the qualification criteria for either rate during that time.
Don, peak demand runs 450-480 kW consistently, annual usage around 2.8 GWh. Both rates were available throughout the entire period with no qualification changes. Alice, definitely filing with ICC this week. The failure to provide proper service angle is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks everyone!