OCA submits the Settlement provides that Duquesne monthly residential Light’s customer charge for rates RS, RH and RA will increase to $10.00, which is an increase of $3.00 as opposed to the request for an $8.00 increase. According to OCA, the $3.00 Company’s increase is a reasonable compromise between the positions of the Company, OCA and I&E. OCA submits that the residential rate design established in the Settlement is reasonable and consistent with sound ratemaking principles. OCA also states that by not unduly increasing the customer charge and reflecting costs in the commodity charge, customers have increased incentive to conserve, a benefit that is not realized through high fixed customer charges. at Id. 13. 11. Universal Service Charge and Customer Service a. Red Flags Plan and Identity Theft Prevention OCA maintains that the Settlement addresses its concerns regarding the privacy and security of customer data collected by the Company. Under the Settlement, the Company agrees to refresh its Red Flags Plan and to provide copies to interested parties within six months after the conclusion of these proceedings. The Company also agrees to no longer require Social Security numbers as a prerequisite for enrollment in its Customer Assistance Program (CAP). at 14. Id. b. Storm Communications OCA claims the Settlement addresses its concerns regarding how the Company could improve storm-related customer communications. OCA recommended that Duquesne Light develop procedures that would allow the Company to work with local social service providers and local officials to notify them of medically-needy customers who may be without service for extended periods of time and to develop a partnership with these providers to help serve these customers during an outage. OCA also suggested that the Company develop culturally-appropriate, multi-lingual media messaging during storm events, along with capacity for non-English speaking customers to contact the Company through its IVR
OCA submits the Settlement provides that Duquesne Light’s monthly residential customer charge for rates RS, RH and RA will increase to $10.00, which is an increase of $3.00 as opposed to the Company’s request for an $8.00 increase. According to OCA, the $3.00 increase is a reasonable compromise between the positions of the Company, OCA and I&E. OCA submits that the residential rate design established in the Settlement is reasonable and consistent with sound ratemaking principles. OCA also states that by not unduly increasing the customer charge and reflecting costs in the commodity charge, customers have increased incentive to conserve, a benefit that is not realized through high fixed customer charges. Id. at 13. 11. Universal Service Charge and Customer Service a. Red Flags Plan and Identity Theft Prevention OCA maintains that the Settlement addresses its concerns regarding the privacy and security of customer data collected by the Company. Under the Settlement, the Company agrees to refresh its Red Flags Plan and to provide copies to interested parties within six months after the conclusion of these proceedings. The Company also agrees to no longer require Social Security numbers as a prerequisite for enrollment in its Customer Assistance Program (CAP). Id. at 14. b. Storm Communications OCA claims the Settlement addresses its concerns regarding how the Company could improve storm-related customer communications. OCA recommended that Duquesne Light develop procedures that would allow the Company to work with local social service providers and local officials to notify them of medically-needy customers who may be without service for extended periods of time and to develop a partnership with these providers to help serve these customers during an outage. OCA also suggested that the Company develop culturally-appropriate, multi-lingual media messaging during storm events, along with capacity for non-English speaking customers to contact the Company through its IVR
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