through a third-party processor via debit card, credit card or Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). The processing fees associated with all but third party credit card, debit card, ACH and walk-in locations are currently included in the cost of service. Columbia has frequently received comments from customers suggesting that they would prefer to pay their bill online via the method of their choice without incurring an additional fee to do so. (Columbia Statement No. 13, pp. 10-11.) Columbia’s proposal to include all residential transaction fees in the cost of service is responsive to these customer requests. The Settlement provides that customers will not be charged separate processing fees for bill payments using third-party debit card, credit card, ACH or walk-in locations. (Settlement ¶ 37.) All processing fees will be considered for ratemaking “above-the-line” purposes. Parties reserve their rights to challenge the recovery of processing fees through rates in a future base rate proceeding, and in response, Columbia reserves the right to cease payment of such third-party costs. (Settlement ¶ 37.) The inclusion of all transaction fees in the cost of service will enhance the overall experience of Columbia’s customers and help avoid delays in processing payments made through unauthorized agents by encouraging customers to use Columbia’s authorized bill-pay agents. (Columbia Statement No. 13, pp. 11-12.) Therefore, this Settlement term is in the public interest and should be approved. C. BIE’s Statement in Support BIE agrees the terms and conditions of the Settlement are in the public interest and represent a reasonable and equitable balance of the interests between Columbia, its customers and the parties to the Settlement. BIE avers the Settlement meets all the legal and regulatory standards necessary for approval. BIE notes the Commission encourages settlements, which eliminate the time, effort, and expense of litigating a matter to its ultimate conclusion, and that, here, the Joint Petitioners successfully achieved a Settlement Agreement of all issues. BIE points out this Settlement is a Box” agreement, which does not “Black specifically identify the resolution of certain disputed issues. Instead, an overall increase to base rates is agreed to and Joint Petitioners retain all rights to further challenge all issues in
through a third-party processor via debit card, credit card or Automated Clearinghouse (ACH). The processing fees associated with all but third party credit card, debit card, ACH and walk-in locations are currently included in the cost of service. Columbia has frequently received comments from customers suggesting that they would prefer to pay their bill online via the method of their choice without incurring an additional fee to do so. (Columbia Statement No. 13, pp. 10-11.) Columbia’s proposal to include all residential transaction fees in the cost of service is responsive to these customer requests. The Settlement provides that customers will not be charged separate processing fees for bill payments using third-party debit card, credit card, ACH or walk-in locations. (Settlement ¶ 37.) All processing fees will be considered “above-the-line” for ratemaking purposes. Parties reserve their rights to challenge the recovery of processing fees through rates in a future base rate proceeding, and in response, Columbia reserves the right to cease payment of such third-party costs. (Settlement ¶ 37.) The inclusion of all transaction fees in the cost of service will enhance the overall experience of Columbia’s customers and help avoid delays in processing payments made through unauthorized agents by encouraging customers to use Columbia’s authorized bill-pay agents. (Columbia Statement No. 13, pp. 11-12.) Therefore, this Settlement term is in the public interest and should be approved. C. BIE’s Statement in Support BIE agrees the terms and conditions of the Settlement are in the public interest and represent a reasonable and equitable balance of the interests between Columbia, its customers and the parties to the Settlement. BIE avers the Settlement meets all the legal and regulatory standards necessary for approval. BIE notes the Commission encourages settlements, which eliminate the time, effort, and expense of litigating a matter to its ultimate conclusion, and that, here, the Joint Petitioners successfully achieved a Settlement Agreement of all issues. BIE points out this Settlement is a “Black Box” agreement, which does not specifically identify the resolution of certain disputed issues. Instead, an overall increase to base rates is agreed to and Joint Petitioners retain all rights to further challenge all issues in
1479101.docx