The Commission is charged with taking measures to develop a competitive retail market so that the market can function to the price of electricity down as low as possible for the benefit of consumers. 66 Pa. C.S. § 2802(3), (5). In the the Commission considered the Act 129 Final Rulemaking Order, statutory standards and the intent of the General Assembly when developing the final Regulations. In particular, when considering the cost over time” standard in “least Act 129, the Commission concluded as follows: the Legislature, in utilizing the language cost …that “least over time” did not provide a clear-cut definition of the term. As such, we must be guided by the comments received as well as our own experience and sound discretion in implementing both the Competition Act and Act 129 consistent with the plain language and, where ambiguous, the legislative intent. at 37 (emphasis added). Act 129 Final Rulemaking Order In interpreting Act 129, the Commission has found rate stability to be an important goal when developing a prudent mix of supplies for default service. The Commission recognized the benefits of rate stability as it relates to the cost over “least time” standard, as follows: In our view, a default service plan that the cost “least over time” standard should not have, as its singular focus, the achievement of the absolute lowest cost over the default service plan time frame but rather a cost for power that is both and also economical relative to other options. relatively stable at 40-41 (emphasis added). Act 129 Final Rulemaking Order The Commission further elaborated on the importance of price stability, noting that Act 129 requires a prudent mix of a variety of products. The Commission continued:
The Commission is charged with taking measures to develop a competitive retail market so that the market can function to the price of electricity down as low as possible for the benefit of consumers. 66 Pa. C.S. § 2802(3), (5). In the Act 129 Final Rulemaking Order, the Commission considered the statutory standards and the intent of the General Assembly when developing the final Regulations. In particular, when considering the “least cost over time” standard in Act 129, the Commission concluded as follows: …that the Legislature, in utilizing the language “least cost over time” did not provide a clear-cut definition of the term. As such, we must be guided by the comments received as well as our own experience and sound discretion in implementing both the Competition Act and Act 129 consistent with the plain language and, where ambiguous, the legislative intent. Act 129 Final Rulemaking Order at 37 (emphasis added). In interpreting Act 129, the Commission has found rate stability to be an important goal when developing a prudent mix of supplies for default service. The Commission recognized the benefits of rate stability as it relates to the “least cost over time” standard, as follows: In our view, a default service plan that the “least cost over time” standard should not have, as its singular focus, the achievement of the absolute lowest cost over the default service plan time frame but rather a cost for power that is both relatively stable and also economical relative to other options. Act 129 Final Rulemaking Order at 40-41 (emphasis added). The Commission further elaborated on the importance of price stability, noting that Act 129 requires a prudent mix of a variety of products. The Commission continued:
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