Retail Market Guide
Version 1.0
June 12, 2003
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ii
1.0 Purpose 1
1.1 Disclaimer 1
1.2 Retail Market Guide Change/Update Request 1
2.0 Terms and Definitions 3
3.0 Texas Electric Choice Market 4
3.1 Background 4
4.0 Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Requirements 6
4.1 Certification Requirements 6
4.1.1 Administrative Requirements 6
4.1.2 Financial Requirements 6
4.1.3 Technical Requirements 6
4.1.4 Suspension and Revocation 6
4.2 Retail Delivery Service Tariff Requirements 6
4.2.1 Standard Terms and Conditions 6
4.2.2 Rules Governing the Tariff 6
4.3 Municipals and Co-Ops Tariff Requirements 7
4.3.1 Standard Terms and Conditions 7
4.3.2 Rules Governing the Tariff 7
4.3.3 Eligibility Requirements 7
4.4 Reporting Requirements 7
4.4.1 Performance Measures 7
4.4.2 Electricity Facts Label 7
4.5 Customer Protection Requirements 8
4.5.1 Selection & Changing of Competitive Retailers 8
4.5.2 Issuance and Format of Bills 8
4.5.3 Credit and Deposit Requirements 8
4.5.4 Privacy of Customer Information 8
4.5.5 Complaint Handling 8
4.6 Price-to-Beat (PTB) vs. Non Price-to-Beat (NPTB) 8
4.7 Provider of Last Resort (POLR) 9
4.7.1 POLR Premise Type Classifications 9
4.7.2 POLR Matrix 10
4.8 System Benefit Fund (LITE UP) 10
4.8.1 The Low Income Discount Program 10
4.8.1.2 Eligibility 10
4.8.1.3 Current Processes 10
4.8.1.4 Enrollment 11
4.8.1.5 Matching by LIDA 11
4.8.1.6 Posting 12
4.8.1.7 Matching by REP 12
4.8.1.8 Applying the Discount 12
4.8.1.9 Renewing the Discount 13
4.8.1.10 Other Duties 14
4.8.2 Applicable Statute and Rules 15
4.8.3 Contact Information and Links 15
4.8.4 Reimbursement and Reporting Information 16
4.9 Competitive Metering 16
4.9.1 PUCT Rulemaking 17
5.0 ERCOT 18
5.1 ERCOT Board of Directors 18
5.2 Market Participant Registration 19
5.2.1 Competitive Retailer or REPs 19
5.2.2 Municipally Owned Utilities and Electric Cooperatives 19
5.2.3 Load Serving Entity (LSE) 19
5.3 Retail Mechanics 20
5.4 ERCOT Protocol Revisions and Systems Changes 20
5.4.1 Protocol Revisions 20
5.4.2. System Changes 21
5.5 ERCOT Client Relations and Help Desk 22
5.6 Retail Market Conference Call 22
5.7 Project Priority in the Budget Process 23
6.0 ERCOT Committee Structure 24
6.1 Technical Advisory Committee 24
6.1.1 Retail Market Subcommittee 25
6.1.2 Retail Market Working Groups 26
6.1.2.1 Texas Standard Electronic Transactions Working Group (TX SET) 26
6.1.2.2 Texas Test Plan Team (TTPT) 26
6.1.2.3 Profile Working Group (PWG) 27
6.1.2.4 Texas Data Transport Working Group (TDTWG) 27
6.1.2.5 Competitive Metering Working Group (COMET) 27
6.1.2.6 Ad Hoc Working Groups 27
7.0 Interim Market Solutions 28
7.1. Workarounds 28
7.1.1 Move-In/Move-Out Workaround 28
7.1.1.1 Clarification and Process Revision 28
7.1.1.2 Expediting ESI ID Creation (Short-term) 28
7.1.1.3 ERCOT Monitoring (Short-term) 29
7.1.1.4 Programmatically Prohibit Back-dated Transactions (Short-term) 29
7.1.1.5 Effective Date on Meter Number Correction (Short-term) 29
7.1.1.6 Date Reasonableness at ERCOT (Short-term) 30
7.1.1.7 Pending 814_06s (Drop Due to Switch Request) (Mid-term) 30
7.1.1.8 Retired ESI IDs (Mid-term) 31
7.1.1.9 Invalid ESI ID Resubmission (Mid-term) 31
7.1.1.10 De-Energize flag (ignore CSA) on Move-Outs (Mid-term) 31
7.1.1.11 ESI ID Start/Eligibility Date (Long-Term) 31
7.1.2 Left-in Hot or ‘No REP of Record’ 32
7.1.2.1. Process for Left in Hot or ‘No REP of Record’ 32
7.1.3 Transfer to POLR Process 36
7.1.3.1 Overview 36
7.1.3.2 Workaround Commencement Timing 36
7.1.3.3 Format 36
7.1.3.4 Frequency 36
7.1.3.5 Transportation Protocol 36
7.1.3.6 File Naming 36
7.1.3.7 Processing Timing 37
7.1.3.8 Off-Cycle Reads 37
7.1.3.9 Handling Charges Associated with Off-Cycle Drops 37
7.1.3.10 Handling Low Income Discount Customers 37
7.1.4 867_03 Contingency Plan 37
7.1.4.1Contingency Plan Process 37
7.1.5. Safety Net 39
7.1.5.1 Safety Net Process (Short-term) 39
7.1.5.2 SafetyNet Move-In/Priority Requests Process 39
7.2 Retail Customer Transition Business Process 39
Market Synchronization Processes 39
8.0 NON-ERCOT Entities 40
9.0 Municipals and Cooperatives 41
9.1 Municipal and/or Cooperative TDSP Market (MC/TDSP) 41
9.2 Municipals and Co-Ops Tariff Requirements 42
10.0 Appendix 43
2001 RMS Decision Matrix 43
2002 RMS Decision Matrix 43
2003 RMS Decision Matrix 43
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V1.0
1.0 Purpose
The Retail Market Guide is a reference document for market participants to use as a “roadmap” to locate information concerning market structure, market rules and market decisions that are necessary for participating in the competitive deregulated retail electric market in Texas.
Each section is taken from existing ERCOT, PUCT and/or other market related documents/WEB Sites. This document will be updated quarterly, and the most recent version of these documents can be found at the link referenced in each section.
1.1 Disclaimer
The accuracy of each of the documents referenced in this Guide is dependent upon the party responsible for that document. Each market participant should thoroughly understand and refer to the ERCOT Protocols and the PUCT Substantive Rules for complete information.
1.2 Retail Market Guide Change/Update Request
Any market participant can submit recommended changes/updates (including deletions/new material) to the Retail Market Guides via the attached request form:
Requested changes/updates are to be submitted to the following email address: mailto:
ERCOT will post a control number on the request for tracking purposes. The control number will be in the format of YYYY-### (example: 2003-001 for the first one).
The request will then be submitted to RMS for action at a monthly meeting. Comments and/or changes to the submitters request will be updated on the request.
Approved RMS changes/updates will be published in the Retail Market Guides by ERCOT on a quarterly basis.
A summary of changes will be included in each quarterly update, similar to the ERCOT Protocol changes. (Example: http://www.ercot.com/tac/retailisoadhoccommittee/protocols/keydocs/draftercotprotocols.htm)
Changes/updates that need to be made to the Retail Market Guide based on RMS decisions, and/or changes within other areas including PUCT rulemakings, other ERCOT subcommittees and working groups will also need to be submitted via a request form and approved by RMS.
Requests that are not approved by RMS will require that the submitter notify RMS to discuss. If the decision is reversed, a new request form will need to be submitted and a new control number assigned.
RMS will maintain status of these requests via their published minutes. Approved RMS minutes can be found at: http://www.ercot.com/calendar/2003calendar/2003Rmsmaterials
2.0 Terms and Definitions
Relevant terms and definitions used in this document can be found in the ERCOT Protocols Section 2: Definitions and Acronyms, in the PUCT Substantive Rules Section 25.5, or at the following web sites for each:
ERCOT Protocols: http://www.ercot.com/NewsRoom/Definitions.htm
http://www.ercot.com/tac/retailisoadhoccommittee/protocols/keydocs/draftercotprotocols.htm
PUCT Substantive Rules: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.5/25.5.pdf
General PUC Website: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/index.cfm
3.0 Texas Electric Choice Market
3.1 Background
On January 1, 2002, retail competition in the Texas Electric Choice market was initiated for all customers of investor-owned utilities in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region. Prior to Senate Bill 7 (SB 7), all retail electric customers were served by investor-owned, or monopolistic utilities, electric cooperatives, or municipally owned utilities. Few customers had a choice of where or from whom they bought their power. Customers in investor-owned electric utility service areas now have the option of selecting their electric power provider. http://www.powertochoose.org/
Although transmission and distribution facilities remain regulated by the Commission, the prices for the production and sale of electricity to both wholesale and retail customers are predominately dictated by market forces. Customers with peak demand of one megawatt (MW) or less will continue to have a regulated “price to beat”, provided by Retail Electric Providers (REP) affiliated with the traditional utility service area, available until 2007, and the Commission is required to designate “providers of last resort (POLRs)” to ensure that all customers have access to electric service. All other retail prices are not subject to Commission regulation or oversight, and customers are free to choose among the variety of options available from competitors in the marketplace.
The Texas retail market opened after three (3) years of intensive efforts by the PUCT, consumer advocates, utilities, Retail Electric Providers, Power Generation Companies, and other Market Participants (MP) to create the market rules and institutions needed to support retail competition.
Senate Bill 7 outlined the market structure, and required the following:
(1) Forty-one (41) rulemakings to provide further detail
(2) Nine (9) contested cases to approve business plans for separating the integrated investor owned utilities into unregulated power generation companies (PGCs), regulated transmission and distribution companies (TDUs), and retail electric providers (REPs)
(3) Nine (9) contested cases to set the rate for TDU service, stranded cost charges, and the system benefit fund fee
(4) Twelve (12) contested cases related to setting the price to beat rates for the affiliated REPs
(5) Numerous proceedings related to the approval and enforcement of the wholesale market rules and customer registration and switching procedures adopted by the ERCOT Independent System Operator (ISO)
(6) Two (2) contested proceedings to evaluate the readiness of those areas of Texas outside the ERCOT region for retail competition
(7) Fifty-five (55) proceedings to certify REPs
(8) One hundred thirty-one (131) proceedings to register aggregators
(9) A six month pilot project to test the market’s systems needed to support retail competition
(10) Administration of a statewide customer education campaign to inform retail customers about their choices in the new competitive market
(11) Administration of the system benefit fund.
The above information is found in the PUCT’s 2003 Report to the 78th Texas Legislature; Scope of Competition in Electric Markets in Texas.
4.0 Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Requirements
A complete text version of the PUCT Substantive Rules mentioned in this section may be found on the PUCT website, at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/index.cfm. The specific location or Section of the respective PUCT Substantive Rule discussed below is given, as well as the applicable links where available.
4.1 Certification Requirements
Competitive Retailers (CRs) intending to operate in Texas must be certified by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). The PUCT Substantive Rules Subchapter E §25.107 provides the various administrative, financial and technical requirements for certification, as well as, the conditions under which certification may be suspended or revoked.
4.1.1 Administrative Requirements
§25.107(e) http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.107/25.107.pdf
4.1.2 Financial Requirements
§25.107(f) http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.107/25.107.pdf
4.1.3 Technical Requirements
§25.107(g) http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.107/25.107.pdf
4.1.4 Suspension and Revocation
§25.107(j) http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.107/25.107.pdf
4.2 Retail Delivery Service Tariff Requirements
CR’s contract with Transmission Delivery Service Providers (TDSPs) in order to provide retail delivery service to their respective customers. TDSPs provide such services under their respective Tariff’s.
4.2.1 Standard Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions of the Tariff are standard across all TDSPs. A copy of the Tariff may be found in the PUCT Substantive Rules Chapter 25 Subchapter R Appendix IV or at:
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.appIV/appIV.pdf
4.2.2 Rules Governing the Tariff
§25.214 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.214/25.214.pdf
4.3 Municipals and Co-Ops Tariff Requirements
A municipally owned Utility or an Electric Cooperative that has implemented customer choice shall provide retail delivery service in accordance with the rates, terms and conditions set forth in the delivery service Tariffs promulgated by the Municipally Owned Utility or an Electric Cooperative.
4.3.1 Standard Terms and Conditions
The terms and conditions of the Tariff for Competitive Retailer Access for Municipally Owned Utility and Electric Cooperatives define standard terms and conditions for the delivery of electric power to the CR’s retail customers. A copy of the Tariff may be found in the PUCT Substantive Rules Chapter 25 Subchapter R Appendix IV or at: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.appIV/appIV.pdf.
4.3.2 Rules Governing the Tariff
§25.215 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.215/25.215.pdf
4.3.3 Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements include successful system testing and data exchange requirements, executed Access Agreements and completion of the requisite registration requirements.
4.4 Reporting Requirements
The PUCT Substantive Rules Chapter 25 Subchapter R Appendix III lists the various sections of the commission’s Substantive Rules that contain requirements for records, reports and other required information that market participants may be required to provide to the commission. You may access Appendix III at: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.appIII/25.appIII.pdf.
4.4.1 Performance Measures
The Commission recently adopted Subchapter D §25.88 of the PUCT Substantive Rules, relating to Retail Market Performance Measure Reporting. The new rule establishes reporting requirements for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), retail electric providers (REPs), and transmission and distribution utilities (TDUs). Related text may be found at: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/rulemake/24462/24462adt.pdf.
4.4.2 Electricity Facts Label
The Commission requires the labeling of electricity with respect to fuel mix and environmental impact. The PUCT Substantive Rules Subchapter R §25.476 provides the various procedures by which competitive retailers calculate and disclose information on Electricity Facts Labels to their retail customers. Related text may be found at: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.476/25.476.pdf.
4.5 Customer Protection Requirements
CRs participating in the Texas Retail Electric Market must comply with the PUCT’s Customer Protection Rules, unless based on customer size and the contractual relationships between CR and retail customer, these rights have been specifically waived.
PUCT Substantive Rules Subchapter R §§25.471 – 25.492 govern the interaction between CRs and customers, including the selection or changing of a CR, the issuance and format of bills, credit and deposit requirements, privacy of customers information and complaint handling.
A complete text version of the Customer Protection Requirements may be found by accessing PUCT Substantive Rules Subchapter R §§25.471 – 25.492. Specific links to frequently accessed sections may be found below
4.5.1 Selection & Changing of Competitive Retailers
§25.474 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.474/25.474.pdf
4.5.2 Issuance and Format of Bills
§25.479 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.479/25.479.pdf
4.5.3 Credit and Deposit Requirements
§25.478 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.478/25.478.pdf
4.5.4 Privacy of Customer Information
§25.472 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.472/25.472.pdf
4.5.5 Complaint Handling
§25.485 http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.485/25.485.pdf
4.6 Price-to-Beat (PTB) vs. Non Price-to-Beat (NPTB)
The Commission has established a Price-to-Beat to promote competitiveness in the Texas Retail Electric Market. This rate or Price-to-Beat must be offered to certain retail customers (as identified in PUCT Substantive Rules Subchapter B §25.41(e)(1)&(2)) beginning on January 1, 2002. These customers are characterized as residential or small commercial customers with a peak demand equal to or below 1,000kW during the 12 months ending September 30, 2001, or during the PTB period.
Those customers who do not qualify as PTB customers are classified as NPTB customers. These customers are characterized as any non-residential customer with a peak demand in excess of 1,000kw during the 12 months ending September 30, 2001, or during the price to beat period.
The criteria to identify eligibility for the PTB vs. NPTB, as well as additional information (such as, calculation, adjustments etc.), may be found at: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.41/25.41.pdf.
4.7 Provider of Last Resort (POLR)
A complete text version of the current rules governing the POLR may be found at:
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.43/25.43.pdf.
The Commission has established the POLR in order that all customers will be assured continuity of service if a retail electric provider (REP) terminates service for reasons other than non-payment of electric service in accordance with the termination provisions of Subchapter R of the PUCT Substantive Rules.
There are several reasons a retail customer may be transferred or dropped to the POLR. These reasons include customers whose contracts have expired as well as, customers who may be affiliated with a competitive retailer who has chosen to exit the market.
The applicable POLR for a given retail customer depends on the customers premise type and applicable service area (see below).
4.7.1 POLR Premise Type Classifications
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER is defined as a customer receiving service at the customer’s place of residence provided it is not a master-metered, multi-family facility or a facility metered as a commercial facility.
SMALL NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER is defined as a non-residential customer with peak demand of one megawatt or below.