DPU 25-200 Joint Comments of Climate EE & Consumer Advocates

DPU 25-200 Joint Reply Comments of Climate EE & Consumer Advocates 5.14

Recommendations to current rate design to improve affordability and utility cost-control incentives include:

  • Moving reconciling charges into base distribution rates
  • limiting cost deferrals beyond authorized budgets
  • phased rate increases, as needed
  • requiring or rewarding improved system utilization (and disincentivizing unnecessary capital spending)
  • utilization and integration of AMI data into utility and 3rd party practice
  • TOU rates paired with protections for low-income ratepayers
  • basic service procurement reform
  • an evaluation of the feasibility of Totex or other Capex-Opex equalization measures
  • long-term decarbonization planning for the gas system
  • additional GSEP reform
  • ROE reform, including investigation competitive direct equity as a potential means of gaining market insight into the true cost of capital