1. business and industrial
2. energy
3. natural gas

COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA
CHOICE REFERENCE MANUAL
April 2014
This manual is for information and educational purposes only. The tariff and other rules, regulations and laws prevail.
Table of Contents
Section 1
Table of Contents
Section 1
Table of Contents
Outline
2
Section 2
General Choice Program Information
Reference Materials
Creditworthiness Requirements
CHOICE Overview
Customer List
Code of Conduct
Dispute Resolution
Glossary of Terms
Acronyms
4
Section 3
April 2014
FTP Set-up & Maintenance of Choice Accounts
Initial Access & Set Up
Action Code 5; Transition from monthly to daily
Timeline and Calendar
Reference Table-Daily/Monthly Files
Revenue Class Codes
Action Code Definitions
Audit/Error Code Descriptions
ACT File Format
AC1, .AC2 and .GAC2 File Formats
BIL File Format
CAC File Format
CON File Format
CONF File Format
DAT File Format
DET File Format
DIS File Format
DMD File Format
ERC File Format
ERR, .ER2 and .GER2 File Formats
NOP File Format
RAC1 File Format
RAC2 File Format
RATE File Format
RATE.DAT File Format
Section 3
Continued
REC File Format
REM File Format
RERR File Format
REV File Format
Solicitation List File Format
Section 4
Capacity and Delivery Requirements
Pipeline Scheduling Point (PSP)
Capacity Assignments
Delivery Requirements
86
Section 5
Customer Billing & Rates
Billing Options
Timeline
New Rate Process
Rate Change Process
92
Section 6
Supplier Invoicing
Timeline
Monthly Bill Image
Annual Reconciliation
Annual Reconciliation Bill Image
97
Section 7
Aviator
Access to Bill Viewer
Concern Database
103
17
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
3
General Choice Program Information
Section 2
Reference Material for the CPA Choice Program
The information and instructions in this presentation are in keeping with the Rules and Regulations set
forth in the following sources:
•
•
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Tariff
Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
5
General Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania CHOICE Information
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NGS must be licensed by the State of Pennsylvania Utilities Commission
NGS must submit an Initial Natural Gas Supplier Application
NGS must meet the standards and fulfill the obligations of creditworthiness as required in the tariff. Columbia
reserves the right to conduct evaluations on an as-needed basis. (See slide 7 for a list of requirements)
NGS must execute a Natural Gas Supplier Choice Distribution Aggregation Agreement for Columbia Choice
Service and choose these options
1. Capacity Assignment
2. Delivery Point
3. Customer Billing
NGS must execute an Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement, if Option 2-Consolidated Billing is chosen.
NGS must establish one or more Choice Aggregation Nomination Groups with an aggregate annual demand of at
least 53,650 thms or a minimum of 50 customers. (See the list on page 74)
NGS is required to acquire the necessary firm supply of natural gas to serve the Choice Daily Delivery
Requirements for each Choice Aggregation Nomination Group for the months of November through March.
NGS agrees to refer to the Commissions guidelines on Customer Information Disclosure.
NGS must be able to communicate using Columbia’s Electronic Bulletin Board
NGS must complete mandatory Choice Supplier Training prior to participating in the Choice Program
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
6
Creditworthiness Requirements
As part of the Initial NGS Application process, an NGS
must meet the standards and fulfill the obligations of
Creditworthiness as required under the Rules Applicable
to Distribution Service (Columbia of Pennsylvania Tariff)
before being permitted to provide Natural Gas Supply
Services on the Company system.
The Company will require the NGS to provide the
following information.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The financial information provided to the
Commission
The NGS’s most current financial information
Credit reports
Bank References
Audited Financial Statements, Annual Report, 10K
or 10Q prepared in the past 12 months
Confirmation that the NGS is not operating under
any bankruptcy or insolvency law
Confirmation that no significant lawsuits or
judgments are outstanding
Confirmation that the NGS is not aware of any
adverse condition which could cause a material
change in financial condition
April 2014
•
•
A list of parent company and other affiliates
Names, addresses and telephone numbers of three
trade references, and/or
•
Additional financial related information as
determined by the Company
The creditworthiness evaluation will be based on
standard credit factors such as previous history, Dun &
Bradstreet financial and credit ratings, trade references,
unused line of credit, and financial information. Columbia
will not deny creditworthiness without reasonable cause.
A non-refundable fee of $100.00 will be charged for each
Evaluation. Columbia reserves the right to conduct
evaluations on an as-needed basis but will limit the
number of charges to two per year.
The required information, along with a check for $100.00
Made payable to “Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania” should
be sent to:
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
200 Civic Center Dr. 7th Floor
Columbus, Oh 43215
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
7
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Customer Choice Overview
Eligibility
All residential customers, and commercial customers using less than or equal to 64,400 thms
annually.
Enrollment
Submitted electronically through the CPA FTP web site. Written enrollment requires a document
signed by the customer stating their consent to enroll with the NGS. Customers can enroll via the
Internet or be enrolled telephonically through recorded voice verification. CPA does not require a copy
of the customer contract between the Natural Gas Supplier and the customer.
Gas Deliveries
Required to use Aviator to nominate on Columbia system
Follow Demand Curves (DDR, Daily Delivery Requirements) as specified in the CPA tariff
Make deliveries by using Pipeline Scheduling Points ( formerly TCO Market Areas)
Firm Transportation is required
Natural Gas Suppliers Aggregation pools are required
Rate Schedules
RDS – Residential Distribution Service
SCD – Small Commercial Distribution
Billing
Customers are billed nightly. Natural Gas Suppliers are billed after all the meters have been read or
calculated for the billing cycle and nominations have been confirmed, approximately the 6th working
day of the month.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
8
Solicitation Customer List
Columbia Gas will provide, upon written request, an eligible Customer List to Certified Natural Gas Suppliers via
electronic means. The Customer Lists are prepared using real time data on a best efforts basis.
Steps to request a Solicitation List:
• Supplier must request a list through their Analyst II via e-mail
• Using Word or Notepad, in the .DAT file format, the supplier must provide the zip codes and
send the request electronically to their Analyst
• If the NGS is requesting all zip codes for CPA, no list is required
Format: XXX12345 = the supplier’s 3 digit marketer code + the five digit zip code
•The NGS will be notified, by e-mail, that the list is available, at a fee of $.07 per record, and the email will
include the total cost to be withheld from their current pending receivables payment
•Note All consumption expressed in Therms (thm) effective with February 2012 billing cycle.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
9
Code of Conduct
CPA’s tariff does not contain a section that is titled “Code of Conduct” However on page 187 Section 2.3.3
the tariff states that all parties must adhere to the applicable Chapter 56 standards, when they engage in an
activity covered by those standards.
The CPA tariff also states:
_ NGS shall follow the specific tariff rules concerning procedures for customer enrollment via the
Internet, Written Communication, and Telephonic enrollments
_
NGS must deliver gas on a firm basis
_
Failure to deliver to the DDR may result in penalties and the NGS’ share of any cost incurred by
CPA
_
NGS must undergo a credit evaluation at its’ expense, to determine the NGS’ creditworthiness
_
Resolve disputes in a timely fashion
NOTE: Capacity may need to be increased as customers are added
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
10
Dispute Resolution
Located in the Tariff – Rules Applicable to
Distribution Service in the Columbia Gas of
Pennsylvania Tariff (Page No. 247):
•
The Natural Gas Supplier is responsible for resolving
disputes with customer.
•
The customer’s contract is between the customer and
the approved participating CHOICE Natural Gas
Supplier.
•
It is the Natural Gas Supplier’s responsibility to
manage the contractual relationship with the customer.
Each Natural Gas Supplier shall cooperate with:
• Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)
…to answer inquiries and resolve disputes
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Dispute Resolution (continued)
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
12
Dispute Resolution (continued)
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
13
Glossary of Terms
Balancing
•
Equalizing a shipper’s receipts of gas into a pipeline with withdrawals out of a pipeline system. Balancing may be
accomplished daily, monthly or seasonally, with penalties assessed for excessive transportation imbalance.
BTU
•
A btu, British Thermal Unit, is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one (1) pound of water from
60 degrees Fahrenheit to 61 degrees Fahrenheit at a constant pressure of 14.73 psia.
Capacity
•
Total volume of gas that can flow through a pipeline over a given period of time, considering factors such as
pipeline diameter, pressure, and time interval.
Capacity Assignment
•
The ability to reassign interstate pipeline capacity to other entities on a non-discriminatory basis. A shipper with
excess capacity could relinquish space back to the pipeline for it to resell.
Daily Scheduled Quantities
•
Quantities of transported gas (Dth/Day) to be delivered by interstate pipeline at Shipper’s direction for Shipper’s
account, after retainage of interstate pipeline’s company use and unaccounted for quantities.
Firm Service
•
The highest quality sales or transmission service offered to customers under a filed rate schedule which
anticipates no planned interruption.
FTS
•
Firm Transportation Service from Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Glossary of Terms (continued)
Human Needs
•
A term used in curtailment plans to describe those customers relying upon natural gas for heat for the protection of
life: residences, nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, etc.
Imbalance
•
The difference between the Scheduled Quantities and the Actual Tendered Quantity.
Peak Day
•
The highest usage day during the winter season; a 24 hour period of delivery greater than any other day.
PGA
•
Purchased gas adjustment (PGA), a provision of regulatory rules permitting a gas company to recover in customer
bills on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount it pays in purchase costs for the gas supplied to a customer.
POR
•
Purchase of Receivables Agreement between the NGS and Columbia whereby Columbia purchases residential at
98.3% and commercial at 99.2% of the NGS gas cost that it billed to the customers. (In CPA this is currently
optional, but required, if Option 2 Consolidated Billing is chosen.)
Storage
•
Typically, depleted gas wells used to store gas which has been transferred from its original location.
Summer Season
•
That part of a contract year from the beginning of April through the end of October.
Winter Season
•
That part of a contract year from the beginning of November through the end of the following March.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
15
Acronyms
BCF
BCS
CPA
DIS
DTH
FSS
FT
FT-1
FTS
GAS/GMB
GTS
HDD
LIFO
NGS
PSIA
PSP
PUC
SCQ
SST
TCO
THM
April 2014
One Billion Cubic Feet
Bureau of Consumer Services
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
Distributive Information System - low Pressure Accounts billed in the same month
Dekatherm (Ten Therms, One Million Btu’s)
Firm Storage Service
Firm Transportation
Firm Transportation - 1
Firm Transportation Service (tariff)
Gas Measurement Billing - high pressure accounts billed on a one month lag
Gas Transportation Service
Heating Degree Day
Last In First Out
Natural Gas Supplier
Pounds per Square Inch Absolute
Pipeline Scheduling Point
Public Utilities Commission
Storage Contract Quantity
Storage Service Transportation
Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation
One Therm, a unit of heat equivalent to 100,000 British thermal units
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
16
FTP Set-up & Maintenance of Choice Accounts
Section 3
Initial Access and Set-Up
If you do not have access to the Columbia Suppliers Choice 
website, http://www.columbiasuppliers.com/
follow the instructions provided below:
April 2014
•
A Columbia Gas representative will be assigned to you
and provide additional information regarding the
Supplier code assignment, user ID and password .
•
Once you have been provided your Supplier log in
information (User ID and Password ), you may review
the following pages for “Web Site Instructions “and
“Maintenance of Choice Accounts”.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
18
Web Site Instructions
•
Welcome to the “How To” section of
the Customer Choice  program’s
web site.
•
Beginning on this page we will
show you how to navigate this site.
•
Select Columbia Gas of
Pennsylvania.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
19
Web Site Instructions (continued)
.
•
This is the landing page for Choice, TS
Program and Auctions. Any new
developments, reminders, technical
problems, etc will be posted here.
Columbia suggest to check this page daily.
•
Members:
•
Logon into File Exchange by entering
your user ID and password in their
respective boxes. Both fields are
case sensitive. Access to Aviator is
available on all pages.
•
Click on the Submit button
Additional Menu Items
•
Meter Reading Schedules – meter
reading dates for Columbia’s billing
cycles, Unit 1-21
•
Tariff
•
Rate Information – 2 years
•
Zip code Listing for PSP’s
•
Need Help?
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
20
Web Site Instructions (continued)
.
•
Select Choice for additional
information regarding the Choice
Program.
•
Links include:
•
Become a Supplier
•
Policy & Procedures
•
Find a Form
•
Customer List
•
Customer Concern Database
•
Weather Data
•
Frequently Asked Questions
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
21
Set-up and Maintenance of CHOICE Accounts
This section describes how to set-up and maintain your CHOICE account information and send it to
Columbia.
The .DAT file is used by Natural Gas Suppliers for setting up, changing, or deleting accounts from their CHOICE
Aggregation Groups.
Using any text editor software available, such as WordPad or Note Pad, create a file by entering the account
information in the .DAT file format provided.
The file must be saved as XXX.DAT. The XXX is the 3-digit Natural Gas Supplier code assigned by Columbia Gas.
When you have entered your account information, up-load the file onto the Internet by the daily deadline shown on the
timeline/deadline calendar. (5:00 p.m. EST)
A copy of a .DAT file must always remain in your directory. DO NOT delete the .DAT file from the web site.
The timeline/calendar included with these instructions gives an illustration of the different time restrictions involved
with your .DAT file.
On the deadline indicated in the timeline/calendar (15th of the month), the file will be “frozen” with any enrollments,
drops, or deletes. (If the 15th of the month falls on a weekend or holiday-the previous business is the deadline).
The .DAT file will be cleared of Action Codes 1,2,3,4, & D the day following the freeze.
New accounts, for the next processing cycle, should be added after the date specified on the timeline. A new .DAT
file can be started on the 16th - however, no processing of enrollments, drops, or deletes will begin until the 20th of the
month, or the following business day, if the 20th falls on a holiday or weekend. Beginning January 30, 2013 (Unit 1
billing for February 2013) Action code 5 for rate code changes will be processed during the freeze period.
Rate code changes will be effective immediately.
SPECIAL NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE TO ENTER OR CHANGE ACCOUNTS,
USE THE RECOMMENDED TEXT EDITOR SOFTWARE, WORDPAD OR NOTEPAD.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Transition From Monthly to Daily Processing: “Action Code 5” Transactions
Through January 2013 billing, changing a customer ‘s rate code (Action Code 5) will be processed monthly
following the same timeline as Action Codes 1,2,3 & 4 (enrollments/drops/deletes)
Beginning February 2013 billing, Changing a customer’s rate code (Action Code 5) will be processed daily.
The customer’s rate code change will be effective immediately with this daily process . (There will be no freeze
period from the 16th – 19th calendar days for Action Code 5). Changes for February 2013 can be submitted
using both the monthly and daily process. However, March 2013 billing forward, only the daily process can be
used.
Dec 20th 2012 – Jan 15th 2013 : Action Code 5 can be submitted for February 2013 billing (monthly process)
Jan 30th - Feb 27th : Action Code 5 can be submitted for February 2013 billing (daily process)
Feb 28th - Mar 28th : Action Code 5 can be submitted for March 2013 billing (daily process)
Note: Any Action Code 5’s submitted from Jan 20th – Jan 29th will not be processed.
Suppliers can track when a customer will bill based on their billing unit. Active Suppliers as of January 2013
will receive a file of their active customers and billing units. Going forward Suppliers can find a customer’s
billing unit in the BIL file. The meter read dates for each unit can be found on
http://www.columbiasuppliers.com. A customer must bill at least one time before an Action Code 5 can be
submitted.
Example: Customer A is billing unit 4. Supplier would need to submit a rate code change between Feb 5, 2013
and Mar 5, 2013 to be effective for March 2012 billing. (The Action Code 5 can be submitted the same day as
the customer will bill. Action Code 5 processes before billing each day. )
The timeline on the following slide also illustrates the transition from Action Code 5 being processed monthly
to daily.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Transition From Monthly to Daily Processing: “Action Code 5” Transactions
(cont.)
No Monthly "Code 5"
changes for March
2013 B.C. will be
processed
Dec 20 - Jan 15:
February
Enrollment
DEC
20TH
JAN
15TH
JAN
20TH
JAN
29TH
Unit 21
JAN
FINAL processing of
Monthly "Code 5"
submissions for
Feb 2013 B.C. will be
processed
April 2014
Jan 20 - Feb 15:
March
Enrollment
JAN
30TH
JAN
31ST
FEB
1ST
FEB
15TH
FEB
20TH
Unit 1
FEB
NEW Daily proccessing of
"Code 5" submissions
begins
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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CPA Timeline by Calendar Day
Date Period:
45 days prior to gas flow
What to do/what to look for:
Submit request for new rate code(s) to be established
(Example: Submit new rate code request by 5/15 for 7/1 flow)
1st business day
Preliminary Accounting and Tax information for previous month (.DET file)
New Rate Codes request due for next month’s flow
RS5500 (XXXMK.REV) placed on FTP by CPA for the previous month receivables
2nd business day
. RATE file available providing a summary of current rate code values
1st thru 14th calendar days
Enter accounts, edit XXX.DAT file and check returned files
1st thru 20th calendar days
Enter rate code price changes in XXXRATE.DAT and check returned files
6th business day
Natural Gas Supplier is billed for previous months customer’s consumption
15th calendar day
Final Enrollments, & Drops(Action Codes 1,2,3,& 4) due in XXX.DAT file for next month’s flow
Natural Gas Supplier’s Choice application if capacity election changes.
16th thru 19th calendar days
Only Action Code 5 will be processed in the .DAT file
DAT file emptied of Enrollment/Drops for next processing cycle
XXXRate.DAT files continue to be processed daily
20th calendar day
Demand Curves posted
Payment made to Natural Gas Suppliers by the 20th of each month
Rate Code price changes (both automated via XXX.RATE.DAT and manual via fax) due to Columbia Gas
Start entering Enrollments, Drops, and deletes (Action Codes 1,2,3, & 4) for next Choice processing cycle
21st thru 25th calendar days
Upload XXX.DAT file and check returned files
Start entering rate changes (XXXRate.DAT) for next billing cycle
.GER2 and .GAC2 files are uploaded to Natural Gas Suppliers
26th thru end of month
Upload XXX.DAT file and check returned files
Frozen .DAT file (from the 15th) and the daily .RAC1 data gets uploaded into Columbia billing system and re-audited
Accounts for first of month flow get coded as CHOICE in Columbia billing system
.AC2, .ER2, and RAC2 files are uploaded to Natural Gas Suppliers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TIME PERIOD
DAILY
By 5:00 PM each business day
Upload .DAT file (except on non-processing dates)
By noon each business day
Returned files available (except on non-processing dates)
Note: If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the .DAT file is due the previous business day. ALL DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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CPA Timeline By File Type
File Description
File Name
Timeline
Accepted File (enroll/drop)
AC1
Daily 20th – 15th
Final Accepted File
AC2
Monthly after unit 21
Active Customer File
ACT
Monthly after unit 21
Daily Customer Bill File
BIL
Daily
Change Accept
CAC
Daily
Confirmation File
CONF
Daily
Consumption File
CON
Daily 20th – 15th (if Action Code 3 or 4 has
been submitted)
Detail File
DET
1st business day (info is for previous
month)
Disconnect File
DIS
Daily
Demand Curve
DMD
by the 20th
Change Error
ERC
Daily
Error File
ERR
Daily 20th – 15th
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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CPA Choice Timeline By File Type (cont.)
File Description
File Name
Timeline
Final Error File
ER2
Monthly after unit 21
Final Accept for GMB
customers
GAC2
Monthly (typically between 16th to 20th )
Final Error for GMB
customers
GER2
Monthly (typically between 16th to 20th )
Notice of Pending Term
NOP
Daily
Supplier Rate Code Change
RAC1
Daily
Final Rate Code Change
RAC2
Monthly on the 20th
Rate Code Values
RATE
Monthly on the 2nd business day
Rate Code Errors
RERR
Daily
Rescind File
REC
Daily
Remove File
REM
Daily
Revenue File
MK.REV
1st business day (info is for previous
month)
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
27
Reference Table/Daily & Monthly Files
Daily Files:
•
REM – Provides accounts that will be removed from the Natural Gas
Supplier’s customer data base as a result of the customer’s election of
another Natural Gas Supplier, including the LDC. The generated
removals will appear with code 2 and the accounts coded for removal by
Columbia will appear as an S transaction.
•
RERR - Errors that occurred from the XXXRATE.DAT file uploaded the
previous business day
•
AC1 – Providing all the accounts accepted from the XXX.DAT file uploaded
the previous business day (preliminary accepted file)
•
BIL – File providing the meter reading and adjustment information billed by
Columbia’s billing system. File may be produced daily if Natural Gas
Supplier has accounts in each billing cycle
•
CAC - Provides the accounts accepted for a rate code change (Action
Code 5) from the XXX.DAT uploaded the previous business day (Changing
a customer’s rate code is effective immediately so this is the final accept
file.)
Monthly Files:
•
ACT -This file will provide all the established accounts for a Natural Gas
Supplier as of the date of the last .AC2 file
•
CON – File with 24 months customer’s consumption requested from the
XXX.DAT file
•
AC2 – End of Month accepted file that shows the accounts that will be
updated based on the prior month .DAT file submissions for the next
billing cycle.
•
CONF – Confirmation file which is a record of the transactions received
each day as submitted through the .DAT file
•
DET – Provides a detailed summary of all accounts billed and adjusted
during each billing cycle, including tax information
•
DMD – File containing required nomination information for the current
group of active customers
•
ER2 – Error file that shows rejected accounts that will not be set up as
your accounts for the current processing cycle.
•
GAC2 –File showing the GAS/GMB accounts that will flow gas the 1st of
the month.
•
GER2 – Error file that shows rejected GAS/GMB accounts that will not
flow gas the 1st of the month
•
RAC2 - File that shows rate code changes that will be used for billing
customers starting with unit 1 of the effective month.
•
RATE - File provides active rate codes and the associated
price value per unit of measure for each billing cycle. This
Report is available the 2nd business day of each month.
•
DAT – File for enrolling, removing or changing accounts
•
DIS – Provides the Natural Gas Supplier with disconnected accounts
(inactive/finaled with Columbia Gas) and accounts removed from Choice
due to the CAP Program with a transaction type of OECP
•
ERC - Errors for rate code changes (Action Code 5) that occurred from the
XXX.DAT file uploaded the previous business day
•
ERR – rejected accounts from the XXX.DAT file uploaded the previous
business day
•
NOP – provided accounts that have received a Termination Notice for nonpayment of arrears or for non access to the meter for scheduled readings
•
RATE.DAT – File for submitting rate code changes for existing rate codes
•
RAC1 - Provides rate code changes preliminarily accepted from the
XXXRATE.DAT file uploaded the previous business day
•
REC – Accounts that have rescinded their pending enrollment with the
natural gas supplier within the allowable 5 calendar day rescission period
•
April 2014
REV - Provides the NGS’s prior month billed revenue. The report
provides details by Supplier rate code as well as a summary page.
Available the 5th business day of the month.
28
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
Revenue Class Codes
CODE
00
01
03
TYPE
RES
N/A
RES
DESCRIPTION
RESIDENTIAL NON-HEAT
DEFAULT VALUE-DO NOT USE
CHOICE RES – HEAT
04
05
COM
RES
CHOICE COMM - HEAT
CHOICE RES - NON-HEAT LP
63
64
IND
IND
06
IND
CHOICE IND - ALL
65
IND
07
IND
CHOICE IND - A/C
66
IND
08
09
COM
RES
CHOICE COMM - NON-HEAT
CHOICE RES - A/C
67
70
IND
RES
10
RES
CHOICE RES - HEAT&A/C
71
COM
11
12
COM
COM
COMMERCIAL NON-HEAT
CHOICE COMM - A/C
77
78
COM
COM
13
14
15
30
31
41
53
COM
COM
COM
RES
COM
COM
COM
CHOICE COMM - HEAT&A/C
CHOICE COMM - NGV
CHOICE COMM - INTRASTATE
RESIDENTIAL HEAT
COMMERCIAL NGV
COMMERCIAL HEAT
INTRASTATE UTILITY SERVICE
79
COM
April 2014
CODE
60
61
62
TYPE
RES
COM
IND
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
DESCRIPTION
RESIDENTIAL A/C
COMMERCIAL A/C
ELEC POWER
GENERATION
INDUSTRIAL
INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIB - LP
INDUSTRIAL
TRANSMISSION
INDUSTRIAL
DISTRIB-OTHER
INDUSTRIAL A/C
RESIDENTIAL
HEAT AND A/C
COMMERCIAL
HEAT & A/C
OTHER SALES
MUTUAL
ASSOCIATION
FIELD SALES
29
Action Code Definitions
The following characters are to be used in the first column in the .DAT file:
ACTION
CODE
DEFINITION
1
Indicates that an account is to be set up as a Choice account
2
Indicates that a Choice account should be removed from the Choice program. The account
must have already billed as a Choice account. This code is used whenever you want to
remove an account that has already billed at least once as your customer.
3
4
Indicates that an account should be set up as a Choice account and that 24 months of the
account's consumption history is to be sent back to the natural gas supplier on the
XXX.CON file.
Indicates that 24 months of an established Columbia Choice account's consumption history
is to be sent back to the natural gas supplier on the XXX.CON file. (must be customer of the
NGS making the request)
5
Indicates a change to the customer's natural gas supplier rate code. (Effective 1/30/13,
Action Code 5 will be processed daily.)
D
Indicates that a pending account should be deleted from the .DAT file. DO NOT physically
delete the account from the .DAT file. This code is used to delete an accepted account that
was submitted during the current enrollment period
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Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Audit/Error Codes and Descriptions
0001 ACCOUNT NOT ON DIS
•
This is not a valid account number for the Columbia Gas
customer.
0002 CHECK DIGIT IN ERROR
•
Check digit is incorrect.
0010 INVALID RECORD ON FILE
•
Invalid format entered. Action code is not 1,2,3,4,5,
or D.
0011 NOT USED (INVALID COMM)
0003 ACCOUNT NOT AN ACTIVE DIS ACCOUNT
•
Account must be ACCOUNT-STATUS-CODE of ‘A’, ‘B’,
‘C’ OR ‘D’.
0004 ACCOUNT IS CAP
•
The 12-DIGIT-CD-MKT-AGENT submitted by the
Natural Gas Supplier is not ‘CAPxx’ but the account is
an active CAP account (CAP-PLAN-STATUS of ‘A’ OR
‘B’ OR ‘D’ OR ‘F’).
0005 NOT USED
0006 NATURAL GAS SUPPLIER CODE IS NOT VALID
•
The Natural Gas Supplier rate code has not been
processed.
0007 INVALID REVENUE CLASS SELECTED
•
Must be Residential or Commercial account;
00,11,30,41,60,70,61 or 71.
0008 NOT COMPANY 37
•
Must be company 37 (Pennsylvania) to be set up in
Choice program .
April 2014
0009 NOT USED
0012 NOT USED (INVALID RES)
0013 > CONSUMPTION
•
Account is a commercial account with consumption
greater than annual limit. Consumption is based on
the previous November through October billing
cycle.
0014 INVALID RATE – GTS ACCOUNT
•
Account is already purchasing gas under General
Distribution Services.
0015 CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM PROGRAM
•
Either the account is not set up as Columbia Choice
account or the Natural Gas Supplier cannot remove
the account from the program because it was set up
with a different Natural Gas Supplier rate code.
0016 DUPLICATE ACCOUNT ADD BY DIFFERENT
NATURAL GAS SUPPLIER
•
Two Natural Gas Suppliers are submitting the
account at the same time.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
31
Audit/Error Codes and Descriptions (continued)
0017
•
DUPLICATE ACCOUNT ADD BY SAME
NATURAL GAS SUPPLIER
Duplicate account adds or deletes were transmitted
from the same Natural Gas Supplier.
0018 ACCOUNT NOT ACTIVE CHOICE, CANNOT
CHANGE
•
Action code 5 was submitted but the account
cannot change rate codes because the account
belongs to another Natural Gas Supplier.
0019 ALREADY SET UP (FOR MARKETER XXX01)
•
This account is already set up as a choice account
by another Natural Gas Supplier or the Natural Gas
Supplier making the request. If the account is set up
by the Natural Gas Supplier making the request
then the additional message, “for mktr XXX01”, will
be displayed. XXX will be the three-character
Natural Gas Supplier rate code and the 01 will be
the appropriate rate code.
0020 CANNOT REQUEST CONSUMPTION
•
Natural Gas Supplier must have account set up and
be the same Natural Gas Supplier requesting
consumption. Natural Gas Suppliers may only
request consumption for accounts that have been
accepted with their rate code.
0022 NO MATCH TCO AREA
•
TCO Market Area does not agree with market area
on table used in conjunction with Marketer code and
Nomination Group Number to get a valid TCO
Market Area.
0023 ACCOUNT MUST BE CAP
•
Natural Gas Supplier code of CAPXX submitted but
the account is not an active CAP account (CAPPLAN-STATUS of ‘A’ OR ‘B’ OR ‘D’ OR ‘F’).
0024 60 DAYS ARREARS > 0
0025 NOT USED
0026
•
•
NON-RESIDENTIAL,
ACCOUNT
IN
RESIDENTIAL ONLY RATE CODE
The account is Commercial and the Natural Gas
Supplier has only been approved to submit
Residential accounts in this rate code.
NON-COMMERCIAL,
ACCOUNT
IN
COMMERCIAL ONLY RATE CODE
The account is Residential and the Natural Gas
Supplier has only been approved to submit
Commercial accounts in this rate code.
0021 NOT USED
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Audit/Error Codes and Descriptions (continued)
0027 ENROLLMENT TYPE INVALID
•
The Natural Gas Supplier has failed to identify
enrollment procedure type. A “T” indicates the customer
has consented to participate in Choice with a telephonic
contract, “W” indicates the customer has consented to
participate in Choice with a written contract or “I”
indicates the customer has consented to participate in
Choice with a internet contract.
0032 ACCOUNT NOT FOUND, CANNOT UPDATE
•
The account cannot be found in Columbia’s system
and cannot be updated – re-verify account number.
0028 INVALID EFFECTIVE DATE
•
The Natural Gas Supplier code has expired and can no
longer be used to submit accounts.
0034 CONTRACT NUMBER INVALID
•
Natural Gas Supplier code was found on the table with
invalid contract number. (Columbia must correct, please
contact your Choice representative)
0033 ZIP CODE NOT FOUND
•
Zip code not found in Columbia’s system. (Columbia
must
correct,
please
contact
your
Choice
representative).
0029 CUSTOMER NEEDS TO CONTACT COLUMBIA
0030 CANNOT CHANGE, REMOVE FOUND
•
The Natural Gas Supplier has submitted a change
transaction and an add transaction in the same .DAT file
and/or the same submission period.
0031 ACCOUNT NOT ACTIVE FOR THIS NATURAL GAS
SUPLIER
•
The Natural Gas Supplier has submitted a change
transaction for an account that is not in the Natural Gas
Supplier’s Columbia active file.
April 2014
0035 NATURAL GAS SUPPLIER CODE INVALID
•
Natural Gas Supplier Code cannot be found in zip code
table. (Columbia must correct, please contact your
Choice representative)
0036 NOMINATION GROUP NUMBER INVALID
•
Nomination Group Number cannot be found in zip code
table. (Columbia must correct, please contact your
Choice representative)
0037 NO MATCH – TCO AREA
•
Zip code has been found; however, it's the wrong PSP
match between the Natural Gas Supplier table and the
zip code table.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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Audit/Error Codes and Descriptions (continued)
0038 NOT USED – (POSTAL RT IN ERROR)
•
The 4-digit zip code extension does not match the
4-digit zip code extension on the customer's service
address.
0039 ACCOUNT NOT ON PENDING TABLE
•
A "D" action code has been used to indicate that an
account previously submitted in the current .DAT
file should not be processed and the account
cannot be found on the pending table to NOT
process.
0040 PENDING D TRANSACTION
0041
•
MARKETER RATE CODE EXPIRED OR
MARKETER CODE NOT EFFECTIVE
Marketer rate code is expired or has not been
established in Columbia’s.
0042 INVALID VALUE FORMAT
•
Dth Dollar Value submitted is not in the required
format (XX.XXXX) or is a negative
0043 INVALID MARKETER RATE CODE – BILLING
•
Natural Gas Supplier bills gas costs.
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.ACT File Format
The .ACT file provides all the established accounts
for a Natural Gas Supplier as of the date of the last
.AC2 file. This file can be used when building a
customer database or to verify the information
contained in a Natural Gas Supplier’s database.
For example, an .ACT file ran in the middle of a
month would contain all confirmed accounts as of
the previous AC2 file. The accounts that had been
added since the previous month’s 15th deadline
would not be included.
The XXX in the name of the file is an abbreviated
three-digit code to identify the Natural Gas Supplier
and the state for their participation. If a Natural Gas
Supplier is participating in more than one State
program, the first two characters (XX), may vary
slightly from State to State to avoid confusion.
Note: Effective November 2011 the ACT is
automatically created and posted to the NGS FTP
site at no charge.
Columns 1-8:
• PCID Account Number
Columns 9-11:
• Customer Sequence Number
Column 12:
• Check Digit
Columns 13-45:
• Customer Name (First and Last)
Columns 46-78:
• Service Street Address
Columns 79-117:
• Service Address: City, State, Zip Code, Postal
Route
Columns 118-122:
• Natural Gas Supplier 5-digit rate code
Columns 123-130:
• Setup Date – (yyyymmdd)
Column 131:
• Budget Indicator “Y” or “N”
Columns 132-133:
• Billing Unit
April 2014
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.AC1, .AC2 & .GAC2 Files
The XXXMMDDY.AC1 file, where XXX reflects the
Natural Gas Supplier and the state in which they
operate, MM reflects the month, DD reflects the day,
and the Y reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created. This file provides all the accounts that were
accepted from the .DAT file that was uploaded the
previous business day. As you build your .DAT file
during the month, the .AC1 file will continue to build as
well.
The .AC2 file provides all the accounts that were
accepted to the Columbia billing system from the
previous processing cycle. Keep in mind that the
accepted accounts you see in the .AC1 file may not be
the same accounts you see in the final .AC2 file that is
generated after unit 21 bills in Columbia’s billing
system. It is possible that accounts you saw in your
.AC1 file may have been disconnected and finaled
between the time you saw them in the .AC1 file and the
time the final .AC2 file posts.
April 2014
The .GAC2 file provides all the accepted GAS/GMB
accounts from the previous processing cycle that will flow
gas the 1st of the month.
.AC1 contains preliminary accepted accounts. Do not
assume that accounts showing in the .AC1 will be
accepted in the final .AC2 or .GAC2 files.
NOTE - When you begin building your new .DAT file for
the next billing cycle (on the 16th of the month
generally), you will not see the .AC1 file until the 20th of
the month when we begin processing files again for the
new billing cycle.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
36
.AC1, .AC2 & .GAC2 File Formats (continued)
Column 1:
•
Action Code
Columns 20-31:
•
Columns 2-9:
•
Customer PCID Number
12-Digit Control Code – 5 digit Natural Gas
Supplier rate code, enrollment type indicator (T, W
or I) and up to six characters that were used at the
Natural Gas Supplier’s discretion
Columns 32-39:
Columns 10-12:
•
Customer Sequence Number
•
Nomination Group Number
Columns 40-41:
•
Billing Unit
Column 13:
•
Customer Check Digit Number
Columns 14-19:
•
Effective Date (YYYYMM)
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.BIL File Format
The .BIL file will provide the meter reading and
adjustment information billed by the DIS billing
system. This file may be produced every weekday, if
the Natural Gas Supplier has accounts in each unit
billing cycle.
The XXX in the name of the file is an abbreviated
three-digit code to identify the Natural Gas Supplier
and the state in which they operate. If a Natural Gas
Supplier is participating in more than one state
program, the XXX may vary slightly from State to
State to avoid confusion.
Columns 23-24:
• Revenue Class • 03 = Residential Heat
• 04 = Commercial Heat
• 05 = Residential Non Heat
• 08 = Commercial Non Heat
• 09 = Residential Air Conditioning
• 10 = Residential Heat & Air Conditioning
• 12 = Commercial Air Conditioning
• 13 = Commercial Heat & Air Conditioning
.BIL Customer Normal Bill (11) file format:
Columns 25-36:
• PCID # - Customer’s 12-digit Columbia Gas
account number
Columns 1-2:
• Record type
• 11 = Normal customer bill
Columns 37-45:
• PSID # - Permanent Service Identification number
for the service address
Columns 3-10:
• Report Creation Date
Columns 46-78:
• Customer Name
Columns 11-16:
• Revenue Cycle (YYYYMM)
Columns 79-111:
• Name Overflow - a second name or “doing
business as” name if applicable (used mostly for
commercial accounts)
Columns 17-18:
• Billing Unit being billed that day
Columns 19-22:
• Columbia Location Number
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.BIL File Format (continued)
Columns 112-144:
• Service Address - facility street address
Columns 186-193:
• Meter # - serial number of gas meter
Columns 145-164:
• City - for facility
Columns 194-197:
• Calc/Read/AMR - whether current bill was a result
of an estimated, actual reading, or by the
automatic meter reading device
Columns 165-166:
• State - for facility
Columns 198-205:
• From Date-the date the current billing cycle began
Columns 167-175:
• Zip Code - for facility
Columns 206-213:
• To Date - the date the current billing cycle ended
Columns 176-178:
• County Code
Adams
Allegheny
Armstrong
Beaver
Bedford
Butler
Centre
Clarion
Clearfield
001
003
005
007
009
019
027
031
033
Columns 179-185:
• Taxing District
April 2014
Crawford
Elk
Fayette
Franklin
Fulton
Greene
Indiana
Jefferson
Lawrence
039
047
051
055
057
059
063
065
073
McKean
Mercer
Somerset
Venango
Warren
Washington
Westmoreland
York
083
085
111
121
123
125
129
133
Columns 214-221:
• From Reading-the meter reading at the beginning
of the current billing cycle
Columns 222-229:
• To Reading-the meter reading at the end of the
current cycle
Columns 230-239
• Consumption in thm - total consumption for the
current billing cycle
Column 240:
• Final Bill - (Yes - Y, No - N)
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
39
.BIL File Format (continued)
Column 241:
• Re-bill Code –
• Y, another bill has been sent after an
adjustment
• N, this is the original bill
Columns 242-261:
• Filler
Columns 311-316:
• Natural Gas Supplier Discount
Columns 317-326:
• Natural Gas Supplier - monies owed to the Natural
Gas Supplier from previous billings
Columns 327-336:
• Natural Gas Supplier Current Charges
Columns 262-269:
• Sales Tax Total on Current Bill - applicable to both
the Columbia & Natural Gas Supplier charges
Columns 337-346:
• Natural Gas Supplier Current Balance
Columns 270-279:
• Previous Balance
Columns 347-397:
• Reserved for future use
Columns 280-289:
• Total Balance of Columbia & the Natural Gas
Supplier’s Charges
Columns 398-405:
• Blank
Columns 290-299:
• Pay this Amount
Columns 300-304:
• Natural Gas Supplier Rate Code
Columns 305-310:
• Natural Gas Supplier Rate per thm
April 2014
Columns 406-415:
• Columbia Customer Charge
Columns 416-425:
• Columbia Transportation Charges
Columns 426-435:
• Supplemental Charges
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
40
.BIL File Format (continued)
Columns 436-445:
• Delayed Payment Penalty
Columns 446-455:
• Agency Handling Fee – Not currently being used
Column 456:
• Customer On Budget
(Yes - Y, No – N)
Columns 457-466:
• Natural Gas Supplier Budget Amount
Columns 467-476:
• Natural Gas Supplier Budget Arrears
Columns 477-486:
• Natural Gas Supplier Budget Balance
Columns 487-516:
• Filler
Columns 517-518:
• Columbia’s billing unit number for the account
Columns 519-539:
• Blank
Columns 540-548:
• Sign +/• Filler
Columns 549-557:
• Sign +/• Filler
.BIL Adjustment Record (15) - current month
adjustment information format below:
Columns 1-2:
• Record Type 15 - Adjusted customer bill
Columns 3-6:
• Columbia Location Number
Columns 7-15:
• PSID Number – Permanent Service Identification
Number
Columns 16-23:
• PCID Number – Permanent Customer
Identification Number
Columns 24-26:
• Customer Sequence Number
Columns 27-34:
• Transaction Date, YYYYMMDD
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
41
.BIL File Format (continued)
Columns 35-38:
• Transaction Type
• CAOR = CAB adjustment, over read
• CAUR = CAB adjustment, under read
• CAOC = CAB adjustment, over calculated
• CAUC = CAB adjustment, under calculated
• CAAF = CAB adjustment, adjustment on
final bill
• CAAI = CAB adjustment, adjustment on
initial bill
• CADM = CAB adjustment, dead meter
• CAFM = CAB adjustment, fast meter
• CAMA = CAB adjustment, manual
adjustment
• AMRA = CAB AMR adjusted reading
Columns 39-43:
• NGS Rate Code
Columns 44-53:
• Transaction Amount – Adjusted Columbia Charges
• Sign +/• Transportation Amount
April 2014
Columns 54-63:
• Gas Cost Amount – Adjusted Natural Gas
Supplier Charges only
• Sign +/• Gas Cost Amount
Columns 64-71:
• Adjustment Period Date, YYYYMMDD
Columns 72-81:
• Adjusted thm
• Sign +/• thm
Column 82:
• Check digit number
Columns 83-92:
• “Add” date (YYYY-MM-DD)
• This is the date the account was added by
this supplier
Columns 93:
• Y or N
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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BIL Balance Record File Format
.BIL Detail Record (9) - current month balance
record information format below:
Columns 1-9:
•
Balance Record Indicator (all nines)
Gas Measurement Billing information is located in the
.BIL file following the .BIL Detail Record – current month
balance record information (highlighted below).
GAS/GMB accounts are high pressure accounts that bill
on a one month lag.
Columns 10-15:
•
•
Sign +/Record Count
Columns 16-27:
•
•
Sign +/Total Account Balance (last two digits
are decimal $xx.xx)
Columns 28-56:
•
Filler
Columns 57-58:
•
Balance Record Indicator (all nines)
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.CAC File Format
The XXMMDDY.CAC file, where XX reflects
the Marketer, MM reflects the month, DD
reflects the day, and the Y reflects the last
digit of the year the record is created.
This file provides all rate code changes
(Action Code 5) that were accepted from the
.DAT file that was uploaded the previous
business day.
Column 1:
Rate Code changes are processed daily so
this is the final accept file.
Column 13:
•
Action Code
Columns 2-9:
•
Customer PCID Number
Columns 10-12:
•
•
Customer Sequence Number
Customer Check Digit Number
Columns 14-19:
•
Effective Date (YYYYMM)
Columns 20-31:
•
12-Digit Control Code – 5 digit Natural Gas
Supplier rate code, enrollment type indicator
(T, W or I) and up to six characters that were
used at the Natural Gas Supplier’s discretion
Columns 32-39:
•
Nomination Group Number
Columns 40-41:
•
April 2014
Billing Unit
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
44
.CON File Format
The .CON file will provide a list of valid accounts
with 24 months of consumption from the .DAT file
up-loaded the previous business day. These
accounts had either a ‘3’ or ‘4’ action code in
Column 1.
Columns 22-24:
• Customer Sequence Number
Column 1:
• Codes ‘3’ and ‘4’.
• ‘3’ indicates that an account should be set up
as a Choice account and that 24 months of
the account’s consumption history is to be
sent back to the Natural Gas Supplier on the
XXX.CON file. This code is used to submit a
new Choice account and to obtain 24 months
of consumption.
• ‘4’ indicates that 24 months of an established
Columbia Choice account’s consumption
history is to be sent back to the Natural Gas
Supplier on the XXX.CON file.
Columns 26-34:
• Customer PSID Number (permanent service
identification number)
Column 25:
• Customer Check Digit Number
Column 35-586:
• 24 Months of Consumption
• Each month has the following information:
•Revenue cycle (YYYYMM)
•Meter Read Date (YYYYMMDD)
•Consumption (999999999) in thm
Columns 2-13:
• 12-Digit Control Code - 5 digit Natural Gas Supplier
rate code, enrollment type indicator (T, W or I) and up
to six characters that were used at the Natural Gas
Supplier’s discretion.
Columns 14-21:
• Customer PCID Number
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
45
.CONF File Format
The .CONF file is a confirmation record of the transactions received each day as submitted through the .DAT file. Please
note that this is not an accept or reject confirmation, rather a response file including date and time stamp, of your previous
day’s submission. This file can be used to verify the information submitted to Columbia for processing.
The .CONF file is produced daily, however it will be empty if there is no activity to report.
Column 1:
•
Action code
Columns 2-9:
•
Customer PCID Number
Columns 10-12:
•
Customer SEQUENCE
Column 13:
•
Customer CHECK DIGIT
Columns 32-39:
•
Nomination Group number
Columns 40-59:
• Filler
Columns 60-62:
• Marketer code
Column 14 - 19
•
Filler
Columns 63-70:
• Date YYYYMMDD
Columns 20-24:
•
Marketer rate code
Columns 71-74:
• 24 Hour Time HHMM
Column 25
•
Enrollment type
Columns 75-79:
• Record sequence number
Columns 26 - 31
•
Filler
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
46
.DAT File Format
The .DAT file is utilized by the Natural Gas Suppliers to add, delete or change an account on the FTP
Web Site. Natural Gas Suppliers enter the Action Code in the first column followed by the account
information which is included in columns 2 through 35 of the .DAT file format. Files can be submitted
daily up through the 15th of the month preceding the effective flow date.
•
Valid codes are ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’, ‘4’ , ‘5’ & ’D’.
•
‘1’ Indicates that an account is to be set up as a Choice account.
•
‘2’ Indicates that a Choice account should be removed from the Choice program. The account must
have already billed as a Choice account. This code is used whenever you want to remove an account
that has already billed at least once as your customer.
•
‘3’ indicates that an account should be set up as a Choice account and that 24 months of the account’s
consumption history is to be sent back to the Natural Gas Supplier on the XXX.CON file.
•
‘4’ indicates that 24 months of an established Columbia Choice account’s consumption history is to be
sent back to the Natural Gas Supplier on the XXX.CON file.
•
‘5’ indicates a change to the Natural Gas Supplier’s rate code.
•
‘D’ indicates that a pending account should be deleted from the .DAT file. DO NOT physically delete
the pending account from the .DAT file.
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
47
.DAT File Format (continued)
Column 1:
Columns 20-31:
•
•
Enter in the 12 digit control as the following:
•
Enter a 5-digit Natural Gas Supplier rate code, which is
assigned by Columbia Gas in the first 5 positions. The
first 2 characters identify the Natural Gas Supplier, the
third character identifies the state and the last two
identify the rate to bill the customer.
•
The next character denotes the enrollment type. “T” for
telephonic enrollment, “W” for written enrollment or “I”
for internet enrollment. The enrollment type indicates
how the customer’s consent to participate in the
Choice program was obtained by the Natural Gas
Supplier.
•
The next 6 characters are not required and may be
used at the Natural Gas Supplier’s discretion.
Enter the action code
Columns 2-9:
•
Enter the customer PCID (8-character) number.
Columns 10-12:
•
Enter the
number
customer
SEQUENCE
(3-character)
Column 13:
•
Enter the customer CHECK DIGIT (1-character)
number.
Column 14-19:
•
Leave blank
Columns 32-39:
•
Enter the eight digit Nomination Group Number
(precede with zeros)
SPECIAL NOTE:
The “D” code is used during the current enrollment period when
an account in the .DAT file has been entered in error. To remove or
delete an account that has been enrolled in error during the current
enrollment period, use the “D” action code.
Do not confuse this code with the “2” code which is used to remove
an account from the program after set-up has already occurred.
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
48
Transaction Examples
Notes:
DAT and RATE.DAT must be uploaded by 5:00 pm EST
DAT and RATE.DAT are not processed on weekends and holidays (see meter reading schedule for process
dates)
DAT file does not process Action Code 1,2,3, & D from the 16th – 19th calendar days (only action code 5’s are
processed)
Action: Request a new Rate Code
File: N/A
Timeline: 45 days prior to the effective month Supplier must email their Choice Analyst the Markteter Rate
Statement fill in the statement with prices (if prices haven’t been determined enter a dummy price).
Action: Enroll or Drop a Customer
File: DAT
Timeline: 20th – 15th (effective next billing month)
Notes: Customers can be enrolled (Action code 1 or 3) or dropped (Action code 2) from Choice via the DAT file
from the 20th to the 15th for the following month’s billing. (If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the .DAT file
is due the previous business day.) Example: An enrollment submitted from September 20th through October
15th will be effective for November billing.
Example: Supplier enrolls customer for Jan billing between Nov 20th and Dec 15th
3123456780011
XXX01
00000000
Supplier drops customer for May billing between Mar 20th and Apr 15th
2123456780011
XXX01
00000000
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference
Manual
49
Transaction Examples (cont.)
Action: Cancel an Enroll / Drop
File: DAT
Timeline: 20th – 15th
Notes: Suppliers can cancel an enrollment or drop during the same enrollment period by submitting a D
(delete) action code. If the cancel is just due to the incorrect rate code, submit another enrollment with the
correct rate code. After the customer has billed at least one time, then Action Code 5 can be used.
Example:
3/3/13 Submitted Enrollment
3123456780011
XXX01
00000000
3/12/13 Realized customer should have been enrolled on rate code XXX02, Submitted a cancel and a new
enrollment
D123456780011
XXX01
00000000
3123456780011
XXX02
00000000
4/19/13 Customer should be on XXX03 for May billing. Determine the customers billing unit from the BIL file.
Look at the meter reading schedule to determine when the customer will bill for May meter reading schedule
The Customer is unit 11 and will bill on May 14 for May
The rate code change must be submitted after the customer bills for April but before the customer bills for May
4/16/13 – 5/17/13. The rate code change is processed immediately.
5123456780011
XXX03
00000000
(Note: Had this example been Jan 2013 billing or before, the Action 5 code would have been submitted
between March 20th and April 15th to be effective for May billing)
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference
Manual
50
Transaction Examples (cont.)
Action: Change a Customer’s Rate Code
File: DAT
Timeline: Daily (effective immediately)
Notes: Suppliers can change the rate code of their existing customers (Action code 5) via the DAT file. This
will be processed immediately. It is important to track a customer’s billing unit (found on the BIL file) to
determine what day the customer will bill. Meter reading schedules can be found on
www.columbiasuppliers.com
Example Customer should be on XXX06 for June billing.
The Customer is unit 14 and will bill on June 18th for June
The rate code change must be submitted after the customer bills for May but before the customer bills for June
5/18/13 – 6/18/13. The rate code change is processed immediately.
5123456780011
XXX06
00000000
(Note: Had this example been Jan 2013 billing or before, the Action 5 code would have been submitted
between April 20th and May 15th to be effective for June billing)
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference
Manual
51
Transaction Examples (cont.)
Action: Change the Price on a Rate Code
File: RATE.DAT
Timeline: 20th – 20th (effective next billing month)
Notes: Rate code price changes can be submitted daily. The last price received for a rate code by the 20th will
be effective for the next billing month.
Example: XXX01 is currently $5.00 per Dth but should be $4.85 effective January billing
12/15 submit in RATE.DAT
XXX01 04.8500
If this is returned in the RAC1 file, this will be the effective rate for Jan billling
12/17 Supplier decides XXX01 should be $4.95 per Dth effective January billing.
XXX01 04.9500
This will replace the $4.85 and the effective rate for Jan billing will be $4.95
Action: Request a Customer’s Consumption History
File: DAT
Timeline: 20th – 15th
Notes: Submitting an account with Action Code 3 will enroll a customer as well as return a CON
(consumption) file. (Action code 1 will enroll but not return a CON file).
Also, an Action Code 4 can be submitted for an existing customer (must have billed at least one time).
April 2014
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52
.DET File Format Layout
The .DET file is the NGS Detail file (electronic
version of the RS5500MK). The .DET file
provides a detailed summary of all billing and
adjustment activity during each billing cycle
There are 4 record types that can be in each file:
1.
2.
3.
4.
April 2014
J = -1
K = -2
L = -3
M = -4
N = -5
O = -6
P = -7
Q = -8
R = -9
} = -0
•
Record Type 1
Columns 2-3:
Company
Columns 4-14:
•
All numeric fields are defined as signed
unpacked numbers. This allows us to retain
negative values in the numeric fields.
A=1
B=2
C=3
D=4
E=5
F=6
G=7
H=8
I = 9
{ =0
Column 1:
•
Detail record
Adjustment detail record
Control total record
Customers # record
A conversion chart of values for signed
unpacked numbers are below:
Detail Record:
PCID and Sequence Number
Column 15:
•
PCID Ck Digit Number
Columns 16-20:
•
NGS Number
Columns 21-23:
•
County Code
Column 24:
•
Revenue Class
Columns 25-33:
•
NGS current month Dth
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.DET File Format Layout, Detail Record (continued)
Columns 34-42:
•
Columns 97-107:
NGS Adjustment Dth
•
Columns 43-51:
•
Columns 108-118:
Total Dth
•
Columns 52-60:
•
Total Tax
Grand Total
Columns 119-126
NGS Current Month Gas Cost
•
Blank
Columns 61-69:
•
NGS Adjustment Gas Cost
Columns 70-78:
•
Total Gas Cost
Columns 79-87:
•
State Tax Current Month
Columns 88-96:
•
April 2014
NOTES:
Total Dth = (NGS curr mo Dth + NGS adj Dth)
Total gas cost = (NGS curr mo gas cost + NGS adj
gas cost)
Total tax = (State tax curr mo + State tax adj.)
Grand total = (Total gas cost + Total tax)
Values for the Revenue-class are:
•
•
R = residential
C = commercial
State Tax Adjustment
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.DET File Format Layout, Adjustment Record
Adjustment Detail Record
Column 1:
•
Record Type 2
Columns 2-3:
•
Company
Column 36-44:
•
NGS Adjustment Gas Cost
Column 45-126:
•
Blank
Columns 4-14:
•
PCID and Sequence Number
Column 15:
•
PCID Ck Digit Number
Columns 16-20:
•
NGS Number
Note: Marketer adjustment date = DDYYMM
Columns 21-26:
•
NGS Adjustment Date
Columns 27-35:
•
April 2014
NGS Adjustment Dth
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.DET File Format Layout, Control Record
Control Total Record
Column 1:
•
Record Type 3
Columns 2-3:
•
Company
Columns 4-15:
•
Filler
Column 16-20:
•
NGS Number
Columns 21-24:
•
Filler
Columns 25-33:
•
April 2014
NGS Current Month Dth
Columns 34-42
•
NGS Adjustment Dth
Columns 43-51:
•
Total Dth
Columns 52-60:
•
NGS Current Month Gas Cost
Columns 61-69:
•
NGS Adjustment Gas Cost
Columns 70-78:
•
Total Gas Cost
Columns 79-87:
•
State Tax Current Month
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.DET File Format Layout, Control Total Record (continued)
Columns 88-96:
•
State Tax Adjustment
Columns 97-107:
•
Total Tax
Columns 108-118:
•
Grand Total
Columns 119-126:
•
April 2014
Blank
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.DET File Format Layout, Customer Number Record
Customer Number Record
Column 1:
•
Record Type 4
Columns 2-3:
•
Company
Columns 4-15:
•
Filler
Columns 16-20:
•
NGS number
Columns 21-67:
•
Message
Columns 75-83:
•
Times (literal)
Columns 84-87:
•
Factor
Columns 88-98
•
Billing Amount
Columns 99-107:
•
Filler
Columns 108-126:
•
Blank
Columns 68-74:
•
April 2014
Customers
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.DIS File Format
The .DIS file shows the customers who have been
disconnected and are inactive in our billing system.
It also reports accounts removed from Choice due
to the CAP Program with the customer activity type
of OECP.
The XXXMMDDY.DIS file where XXX reflects the
Natural Gas Supplier and the state in which they
operate, MM reflects the month, DD reflects the
day, and the Y reflects the last digit of the year the
record was created. This provides information to
the Natural Gas Supplier about accounts that have
been removed from Columbia service for various
reasons.
Upon receiving an account in this file, the Natural
Gas Supplier should check with the customer to
validate activity on the account.
The customer has taken one or more of the
following actions:
–
re-established an account at a new address
–
changed ownership
–
moved out of the Columbia service territory
Columns 1-5:
•
Natural Gas Supplier Rate Code
Columns 6-7:
•
Company Number
Columns 8-11:
•
Location Number
Columns 12-19:
•
PCID Account Number
Columns 20-22:
•
Customer Sequence Number
Column 23
•
Customer Check Digit number
Columns 24-32:
•
PSID Number – Permanent Service
Identification Number
All the above would cause the customer to be
disconnected on our system.
April 2014
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.DIS File Format (continued)
Columns 33-34:
• Unit Number - (01 through 21)
Columns 35-36:
• Book Number
Column 37:
• Account Status Code
Columns 38-45:
• Disconnect Date (format - yyyymmdd)
Columns 46-47:
• Revenue Class Code
Columns 48-80:
• Customer Name
Columns 81-88:
• Customer Activity Date (format - yyyymmdd)
Columns 89-92:
• Customer Activity Type (The transaction code from
the CPA billing system, internal use)
April 2014
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.DMD File - Steps to Import Into Excel
To import the .DMD comma delimited file into
Excel do the following steps:
•
•
•
Move the .DMD file to your hard drive
Open Excel
Open the .DMD file – Should bring up the
Import Wizard
•
Import Wizard – Step 1
•
•
•
Radial Button – Delimited (Default)
Select Next
Import Wizard – Step 2
•
•
Delimiters – Select Comma
Remove any other selected Delimiters
•
Select Next
•
•
Import Wizard – Step 3
Column Data Format
•
•
Select Text
Select Finish
File should now be in a spreadsheet format.
Save the file.
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DMD File - Demand Curves (continued)
•
Report 1 Calendar Month Report provides the normalized quantities for the current group of customers
based on their actual historical consumption. Quantities on this report are increased for retainage and
decreased for customer attrition.
•
Report 2 Billing Month Report provides the normalized billing month quantities based on actual historical
information. Columbia bills the customer on billing cycles and Marketers deliver on calendar months. This
report reflects that difference. Quantities on this report are increased for retainage and decreased for
customer attrition.
•
Report 3 Dth Summary Report provides number of customers, operational information, and daily and
annual quantities.
Note: The quantities on all reports include unaccounted-for quantities, hence they represent quantities at the city
gate. Report 3 shows the unaccounted-for factor.
April 2014
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DMD File - Demand Curves (continued)
April 2014
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.ERC File Format
The XXMMDDY.ERC file, where XX reflects the Marketer,
MM reflects the month, DD reflects the day, and the Y
reflects the last digit of the year the record is created.
This file provides all rate code changes (Action Code 5)
that were submitted incorrectly from the previous business
day.
Accounts that are re-submitted correctly will then be
dropped off the .ERC file and show up on the .CAC file.
Column 1
• Action Code
Columns 2-6:
• Natural Gas Supplier Rate Code
Columns 7-39:
• Natural Gas Supplier Name
Columns 40-47:
• Customer PCID Number
Columns 48-50:
• Customer Sequence Number
Column 51:
• Customer Check Digit Number
Columns 52-60:
• Customer PSID Number
Columns 61-66:
• Effective Date (YYYYMM)
Columns 67-70:
• Audit Error Code (see Audit/Error Codes and
Descriptions)
April 2014
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.ERC File Format (continued)
Columns 71-110:
• Audit Error Description (see Audit/Error
Codes and Descriptions)
Columns 220-247:
•
Blank
Columns 111-112:
• Current Revenue Class
Columns 248-257:
•
Date Processed
Columns 113-114:
• Old Revenue Class
Columns 258-259:
•
Company Number
Columns 115-126:
• Customer First Name
Column 260:
•
Filler
Column 127:
• Customer Middle Initial
Columns 261-272:
•
12 Digit Control Code-5 digit Natural Gas
Supplier rate code, enrollment type indicator
(T, W, or I) and up to six characters that
were used at the Natural Gas Supplier’s
discretion
Columns 128-147:
• Customer Last Name
Columns 148-180:
• Service Address
Column 273-276:
•
Standard Industrial Code
Columns 181-219:
• Service City, State, Zip+4, Carrier Route
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.ERR, .ER2 & .GER2 File Formats
The .ER2 & .GER2 files:
The .ERR file:
This file reflects the accounts rejected from the .DAT file
that was uploaded the previous business day.
This file is an alert to correct any accounts submitted
incorrectly or accounts that are unable to be coded for
CHOICE the previous business day.
Accounts that are re-submitted correctly and can be
coded for CHOICE will then be dropped off the .ERR file
and shows up on the .AC1 file.
The XXXMMDDY. ERR file:
•
XX reflects the NGS
•
X reflects the state
•
MM reflects the month
•
DD reflects the day
•
Y reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created
NOTE: It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that the .ERR
file is reviewed daily in order to maximize enrollment and
minimize customer complaints.
April 2014
These files provide the accounts that were rejected from the
final .DAT file uploaded on the deadline provided on the
timeline/calendar (usually the 15th of the month), and will
not flow gas the 1st of the month.
.ER2 file, shows the rejected accounts
.GER2 file, shows the rejected GAS/GMB accounts
These accounts cannot be corrected for this billing cycle but
will have to be resubmitted with corrections on your new
.DAT file for the next billing cycle.
The XXXMMDDY. ER2 & .GER2
•
XX reflects the NGS
•
X reflects the state
•
MM reflects the month
•
DD reflects the day
•
Y reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created.
Additional Information:
The .ERR, .ER2 & .GER2 files provide a total number of
accounts at the bottom of the file processed from the .DAT file.
This total also shows the number of accounts that were deleted
from the .DAT file. This total, however, does not include the code
2 accounts that were removed from the program. They are
included in the number of records processed.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
66
.ERR, .ER2 & .GER2 File Formats
Column 1
• Action Code
Columns 71-110:
• Audit Error Description (see Audit/Error
Codes and Descriptions)
Columns 2-6:
• Natural Gas Supplier Rate Code
Columns 7-39:
• Natural Gas Supplier Name
Columns 111-112:
• Current Revenue Class
Columns 113-114:
• Old Revenue Class
Columns 40-47:
• Customer PCID Number
Columns 115-126:
• Customer First Name
Columns 48-50:
• Customer Sequence Number
Column 51:
• Customer Check Digit Number
Columns 52-60:
• Customer PSID Number
Column 127:
• Customer Middle Initial
Columns 128-147:
• Customer Last Name
Columns 148-180:
• Service Address
Columns 61-66:
• Effective Date (YYYYMM)
Columns 181-219:
• Service City, State, Zip+4, Carrier Route
Columns 67-70:
• Audit Error Code (see Audit/Error Codes and
Descriptions)
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.ERR, .ER2 & .GER2 File Formats (continued)
Columns 220-247:
•
Blank
Columns 248-257:
•
Date Processed
Columns 258-259:
•
Company Number
Column 260:
•
Filler
Columns 261-272:
•
12 Digit Control Code-5 digit Natural Gas
Supplier rate code, enrollment type
indicator (T, W, or I) and up to six
characters that were used at the Natural
Gas Supplier’s discretion
Column 273-276:
•
Standard Industrial Code
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.NOP File Format
The XXXMMDDY. NOP file, where XXX reflects the
Supplier and the state in which they operate, MM
reflects the month, DD reflects the day, and the Y
reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created, provides information to the Suppliers about
customer accounts that have been issued a
pending termination notice for non-payment or nonaccess to their meter.
Columns 1-5:
•
Marketer Rate Code
Columns 6-7:
•
Company Number (37)
Columns 8-11:
•
Location Number - An internal Columbia
tracking number based on the Area office that
serves the customer.
Columns 12-19:
•
Customer PCID Number
Columns 20-22:
•
Customer PCID Sequence Number
Column 23:
•
Customer Check Digit Number
Columns 24-32:
•
Customer PSID Number
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.NOP File Format (continued)
Columns 33-34:
•
Unit Number
(The unit of the billing cycle)
Columns 35-36:
•
Book Number
(The book of the unit for the billing cycle)
Column 37:
•
Account Status Code
(See Note for Status Code Description)
Columns 38-45:
•
Filler (zeros)
Columns 95-99:
•
Five digit Marketer Rate Code
Columns 100-107:
•
Filler (zeros)
Note:
Columns 46-47:
•
Revenue Class Code
Account Status Codes
Columns 48-80:
•
Customer Name
Columns 81-88:
•
Date of Transaction (YYYYMMDD)
Date the notice occurred
April 2014
Columns 89-94:
•
CCTNNP – customer receives a 10-day
disconnection notice for non-payment of
arrears or
•
CCTNFA – customer receives a 10-day
disconnection notice for failure to grant
Columbia access to the meter for a 12 month
period or longer
Code
Description
B
C
D
F
V
Active Account
Active Delinquent
Active Account, Shut Off For Non Pay
Final, Actual Read
Active Account, Shut Off for Access
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.RAC1 File Format
The XXXMMDDY.RAC1 file, where XXX reflects the Marketer and the
state in which they operate, MM reflects the month, DD reflects the day,
and the Y reflects the last digit of the year the record is created.
The .RAC1 file contains preliminary accepted marketer rate codes and
dollar values from the RATE.DAT file that were uploaded the previous
business day and are to be effective for the next month’s Unit 1 billing .
Columns 1-5:
•
Marketer Rate Code (5 characters)
Columns 6-7:
•
Filler
Columns 8-14:
•
•
In addition, the .RAC1 file will contain the last billed dollar value for the
marketer rate codes that were submitted during the submission period.
New Dollar Value (Dth)
XX.XXXX
Columns 15-16:
NOTE – Marketer rate codes and/or dollar values can be changed
throughout the submission period which starts on the 21st of one month
through the 20th of the following month.
It is recommended that all marketer rate value submissions be sent to
Columbia by the 19th of the month. This will allow one day to submit any
final corrections on the 20th prior to Unit 1 billing of the effective month.
Any Marketer rate codes and/or dollar values submitted on the last day of
the submission period, normally calendar day 20, that are rejected cannot
be corrected and will not be used for unit 1 billing of the effective month.
•
Filler
Columns 17-22:
•
Effective Date (YYYYMM)
Columns 23-24:
•
Filler
Columns 25-31:
•
•
Last Billed Dollar Value (Dth)
XX.XXXX
If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, then the submission period ends
on the previous business day. If the 21st falls on a weekend or holiday,
then the submission period starts on the next business day.
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.RAC2 File Format
The XXXMMDDY.RAC2, where XXX reflects the Marketer and the state in
which they operate , MM reflects the month, DD reflects the day, and the Y
reflects the last digit of the year the record is created.
Columns 1-5:
•
Marketer Rate Code (5 characters)
Columns 6-7:
The .RAC2 file is generated on the last day of the Marketer Rate Code
submission period, normally calendar day 20, and will reflect the marketer
rate codes and dollar values to be used for customer billing starting with Unit
1 billing for the effective month.
The .RAC2 file will be used as the pre-bill verification eliminating the
hard copy pre-bills with the exception of new marketer codes. Hard
copy pre-bills will still be sent for new marketer codes.
NOTE – Marketer rate codes and dollar values can be changed throughout
the submission period which starts on the 21st of one month through the 20th
of the following month.
•
Filler
Columns 8-14:
•
New Dollar Value (Dth)
XX.XXXX
Columns 15-16:
•
Filler
Columns 17-22:
•
Effective Date (YYYYMM)
It is recommended that all marketer rate value submissions be sent to
Columbia by the 19th of the month. This will allow one day to submit any
final corrections on the 20th prior to Unit 1 billing of the effective month.
Any Marketer rate codes and/or dollar values submitted on the last day of
the submission period, normally calendar day 20, that are rejected cannot
be corrected and will not be used for unit 1 billing of the effective month.
If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, then the submission period ends on
the previous business day. If the 21st falls on a weekend or holiday, then the
submission period starts on the next business day.
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.RATE File Layout – Supplier Billing Rates
The XXMMDDY.RATE file, where XX in the name of
the file is an abbreviated two-digit code to identify
the Supplier , MM reflects the month, DD reflects the
Day and Y reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created.
This report provides active rate codes and the associated
price value per unit of measure for each billing cycle. This
report is available the 2nd business day of each month.
Columns 1-48:
•
Filler
Columns 49 -65:
•
Company
Columns 117 -121:
•
Supplier Rate Code
Columns 122 -126:
•
Filler
Columns 127- 134:
•
Rate Effective Date
Columns 135 - 138:
•
Filler
Columns 139 - 148:
•
Price Value (MCF)
Columns 66 -72:
•
Billing Cycle (Month/Year)
Columns 73 -79:
•
Filler
Columns 80 -116:
•
Supplier Name
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RATE.DAT File Format
The XXXRATE.DAT file, where XXX reflects the Marketer and
the state in which they operate, is used to submit marketer
rate codes and dollar values via the FTP Web Site. This
automated process will allow marketer rate submissions on a
daily basis starting on the 21st of one month and ending on the
20th of the following month. Dollar values can be changed for
the same marketer code throughout the submission period.
The last dollar value for a marketer code received and
accepted by Columbia will be the dollar value used for billing
starting with unit 1 of the effective month.
Columns 1-5:
•
Marketer Rate Code (5 characters)
Columns 6-7:
•
Filler
Columns 8-14:
•
Dollar Value (Dth)
XX.XXXX
If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, then the submission
period ends on the previous business day.
If the 21st falls on a weekend or holiday, then the submission
period starts on the next business day.
NOTE:
A “clean” XXXRATE.DAT file will be posted daily.
April 2014
The dollar value is a 7 character field and
must be entered with a decimal point
between the dollars and cents. All 7
characters must be entered.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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.REC File Format
The XXXMMDDY.REC file, where XXX reflects the
Supplier and the state in which they operate, MM
reflects the month, DD reflects the day, and the Y
reflects the last digit of the year the record is created,
provides the accounts that have rescinded their pending
enrollment with the natural gas supplier within the
allowable 5-calendar day rescission period.
The accounts listed in the .REC file will be deleted
from the pending enrollment table and will not be
confirmed in the. AC2.
Columns 10-12:
•
Customer Sequence Number
Column 13:
•
Customer Check Digit Number
Columns 14-19:
•
Filler
Columns 20-24:
•
NGS Rate Code
Please use the .REC file to update your database.
Column 1:
•
Code will be ‘C’ indicating the account has
rescinded their pending enrollment or code
“N” indicating account remains with previous
NGS
Columns 25-31:
•
Filler
Columns 32-39:
•
Nomination Group
Columns 2-9:
•
Customer PCID Number
April 2014
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.REM File Format
The XXXMMDDY. REM file (XXX reflects the
Supplier and the state in which they operate, MM
reflects the month, DD reflects the day, and the Y
reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created), provides all the accounts that will be
removed from the Natural Gas Supplier's
customer base as a result of the customer's
election of another Natural Gas Supplier,
including the LDC.
Column 1:
•Code is ‘2’ for generated removal
• Code is “S” when Columbia submits the
removal via DIS Keyword.
Columns 2-9:
•Customer PCID Number
Columns 10-12:
• Customer Sequence number
Column 13:
• Customer Check Digit Number
This is an automatic process that no longer
requires an action code ‘2’ submittal by the
current Natural Gas Supplier.
Columns 14-19:
• Effective Date (YYYYMM)
The accounts listed in the .REM file will be
removed from the current supplier and enrolled
with the new Natural Gas Supplier or returned to
the LDC tariff service.
Column 20-31:
• 12-Digit Control Code - 5 digit Natural Gas
Supplier rate code, enrollment type indicator (T,
W or I) and up to six characters that were used
at the Natural Gas Supplier’s discretion.
Columns 32-39:
• Nomination Group Number
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.RERR File Format
Columns 1-5:
The .RERR file:
•
This file is a daily file that reflects the marketer
rate codes and/or dollar values that
rejected from the RATE.DAT that was
uploaded the previous business day.
Marketer rate codes and/or dollar values
that are re-submitted correctly during the
submission period will then be dropped off
the .RERR file and will report in the .RAC1
file.
Columns 6-7:
•
Filler
Columns 8-14:
•
•
Dollar Value (Dth)
XX.XXXX
Columns 15-16:
•
Filler
Columns 17-20:
The XXXMMDDY.RERR file:
XX reflects the Marketer
X reflects the state
MM reflects the month
DD reflects the day
Y reflects the last digit of the year the record is
created
•
Audit Error Code (see Audit/Error Codes
and Descriptions)
Columns 21-22:
•
Filler
Columns 23-61:
•
NOTE: It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that
the .RERR file is reviewed daily in order to
maximize the opportunities to revise dollar
values during the submission period.
April 2014
Marketer Rate Code (5 characters)
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
Audit Error Description (see Audit/Error
Codes and Descriptions)
77
.REV File - RS5500MK
The XXXMKMMY.REV file, where XXX in the name of
the file is an abbreviated three-digit code to identify
the NGS and State, MK reflects the report name,
MM reflects the month and Y reflects the last digit of
the year the record is created.
This report provides the NGS’s prior month billed
revenue. The report provides details by Supplier
rate code as well as a summary page. The file is
posted to the FTP with the month end reports
received the first business day of each month.
Total NGS payment is the payment amount prior to
any offsetting charges that will be made to the NGS
by the 20th of each month
Note: The following are examples of offsets to
Supplier payments: Demand curve noncompliance charges, customer list charges or
any other miscellaneous charges.
Your
monthly GTS invoice will reflect these charges.
An NGS who participates in the Company’s
Accounts Receivable Purchase program (POR), the
report provides detail on the purchased receivables
and the supplier payment .
.
April 2014
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference
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.REV File - RS5500MK (continued)
April 2014
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout
Column 1
•
Filler
Column 2
•
•
Revenue Class
R or C
Columns 66-68
•
Filler
Columns 69-70
•
Service Address State
Columns 71-73
Columns 3-5
•
Column 6
•
Heat Code
Columns 7-9
•
Filler
Columns 10-42
•
Service Address
Columns 43-45
•
Filler
Columns 46-65
•
April 2014
•
Filler
Filler
Service Address City
Columns 74-78
•
Service Address Zip Code
Columns 79-81
•
Filler
Columns 82-85
•
Service Address Postal Rte Number
Columns 86-88
•
Filler
Columns 89-121
•
Mailing Address
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Choice Reference Manual
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout (continued)
Columns 122-124
•
Filler
Columns 125-157
•
Mailing Address Overflow
Columns 158-160
•
Filler
Columns 161-180
•
Mailing Address City
Columns 181-183
•
Filler
Columns 184-185
•
Mailing Address State
Columns 186-188
•
Filler
Columns 189-193
•
April 2014
Mailing Address Zip Code
Columns 194-196
•
Filler
Columns 197-200
•
Mailing Address Postal Rte Number
Columns 201-203
•
Filler
Columns 204-215
•
Customer First Name
Columns 216-218
•
Filler
Column 219
•
Customer Middle Initial
Columns 220-222
•
Filler
Columns 223-242
•
Customer Last Name
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout (continued)
Columns 243-245
•
Filler
Columns 246-278
•
Business Name
Columns 279-281
•
Filler
Columns 282-314
•
Business Name Overflow
Columns 315-317
•
Filler
Columns 318-319
•
Revenue Class Number
Columns 320-322
•
Filler
Columns 323-324
•
Revenue Class Extension
Columns 325-327
•
April 2014
Filler
Columns 328-330
•
Rate Schedule
Columns 331-333
•
Filler
Columns 334-341
•
PCID Number
Columns 342-344
•
Filler
Columns 345-347
•
Customer Number
Columns 348-350
•
Filler
Column 351
•
Sequence number
Columns 352-354
•
Filler
Columns 355-363
•
PSID Number
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout (continued)
Columns 364-366
•
Columns 401-403
Filler
•
Column 367
•
Columns 404-409
Taxable Y or N
•
Columns 368-370
•
•
Current Month consumption expressed in
thms
•
Filler
Current Month -2 Consumption in thm
Filler
Columns 425-430
•
Current Month Cycle
Current Month -2 Cycle
Columns 431-433
Columns 389-391
•
•
Columns 422-424
Columns 383-388
•
Filler
Columns 413-421
Columns 380-382
•
Current Month-1 Cycle
Columns 410-412
Filler
Columns 371-379
•
Filler
•
Filler
Filler
Columns 392-400
•
Current Month-1 Consumption in thm
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout (continued)
Columns 473-475
Columns 434-442
•
Current Month -3 Consumption in thm
•
Filler
•
Current Month -3 Cycle
•
Filler
Current Month -4 Consumption in thm
Columns 464-466
•
Filler
Columns 467-472
•
Current Month -4 Cycle
Current Month -5 Cycle
Columns 494-496
Columns 455-463
•
Filler
Columns 488-493
Columns 452-454
•
Current Month -5 Consumption in thm
Columns 485-487
Columns 446-451
•
Filler
Columns 476-484
Columns 443-445
•
•
•
Filler
Columns 497-505
•
Current Month -6 Consumption in thm
Columns 506-508
•
Filler
Columns 509-514
•
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Current Month -6 Cycle
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout (continued)
Columns 557-559
Columns 515-517
•
•
Filler
Columns 560-568
Columns 518-526
•
Current Month-7 Consumption in thm
•
Filler
•
Current Month-7 Cycle
•
Filler
Current Month -8 Consumption in thm
Columns 548-550
•
Filler
Columns 551-556
•
April 2014
Current Month -8 Cycle
Current Month -9 Cycle
Filler
Columns 581-589
Columns 539-547
•
Filler
Columns 578-580
Columns 536-538
•
Current Month -9 Consumption in thm
Columns 572-577
Columns 530-535
•
•
Columns 569-571
Columns 527-529
•
Filler
•
Current Month -10 Consumption in thm
Columns 590-592
•
Filler
Columns 593-598
•
Current Month -10 Cycle
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CPA Solicitation List File Layout (continued)
Columns 599-601
•
Filler
Columns 602-610
•
Current Month-11 Consumption in thm
Columns 611-613
•
Filler
Columns 614-619
•
Current Month-11 Cycle
Columns 620-622
•
Filler
Columns 623-631
•
Annual Consumption in thm
Columns 632-640
•
April 2014
Filler
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Capacity and Delivery Requirements
Section 4
Pipeline Scheduling Point
The NGS must have one or more Choice Aggregation Nomination Group (PSP) with an aggregate annual demand of
at least 53,650 thms or a minimum of 50 customers. A list of the Pipeline Scheduling Points is listed below.
Pipeline Scheduling Point (PSP)
Bedford
Downington
Erie
Lanscaster
New Castle
Olean
PA/WV MISC
Pittsburgh
Rimersburg
April 2014
25-26
25E-29
25E-37
25E-25A
25-39
25-36A
25-40
25-35A
25-38
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CHOICE Capacity Requirements
•
Firm Capacity Requirement
– NGS shall utilize Primary FTS
– NGS shall hold capacity in an amount equal to or greater than the Choice Primary FTS Daily Capacity
Requirement for each Choice Aggregation Nomination Group
• Primary FTS Daily Capacity Requirement = equal to the Choice Nom Group estimated normalized
annual usage divided by 365, converted to dth (using annual average btu) and adjusted for Columbia
use and retainage.
•
Primary FTS Capacity Assignment
– NGS must accept the assignment or release of Primary FTS capacity from Columbia except as provided
below.
• Capacity assignment – NGS must accept capacity assignment or release on a recallable basis at
maximum rates of Columbia Primary FTS equal to Choice Primary FTS Daily Capacity Requirement
for each Nom Group
• Columbia reserves the right to adjust capacity assignments on an as-needed basis as customers are
removed from Choice service.
– NGS agrees to make daily deliveries through the assigned capacity without regard to the loss of customers.
NGS accepts the assignment or release of either TCO and Columbia Gulf or TCO capacity only.
– TCO FTS capacity is equal to the Choice Primary FTS Daily Capacity Requirement.
– Columbia Gulf Rate Schedule FTS-1 capacity to be assigned or released is based upon the assigned Rate
FTS capacity increased for applicable pipeline fuel.
– Company shall release this capacity on a recallable basis
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CHOICE Capacity Requirements (continued)
•
Other Primary FTS Option:
– NGS may have the option to provide some or all Primary FTS capacity from some other source for a
period of one year.
– NGS providing Other Primary FTS is required to obtain and maintain capacity resources sufficient to
deliver natural gas equal to its Choice Primary FTS Daily Capacity Requirements each day during the
effective period of its capacity option election
– Cumulative Other Primary FTS of NGS’s may not exceed the Additional Capacity Resource
Requirements (ACRR) the Company may require in any year
– Beginning October 2005, an NGS must make a timely annual service election
– Company will notify all NGSs of the ACRR no later than April 1 of each year
– NGSs interested in providing firm capacity must notify the Company by June 1, in writing, of its desire
to provide capacity, not to exceed the Choice Primary FTS Daily Capacity Requirement for the NGS
Choice Aggregation Nomination Group
– Company will inform NGS within 45 days of NGS’ eligibility status and the amount of Other Primary
FTS to be provided by the NGS
• Elections will be accepted on a first come first serve basis
• Eligibility will be based on the status of the NGS’ aggregation agreement and its compliance to
the agreement
• Annual election of Other Primary FTS is effective from the following November 1 through
October 1
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CHOICE Capacity Requirements (continued)
•
•
Other Primary FTS (continued)
• NGS providing capacity under this option shall not be required to take assignment or release of
the Company’s Primary FTS as otherwise required
• NGS will at all times be responsible for operating the assigned capacity consistent with the terms
and conditions set forth in the tariffs of the Company and the applicable pipeline company
Insufficient Capacity
– In the event Columbia has reason to believe that the NGS has insufficient Primary FTS to serve its
customers, Columbia may take commercially reasonable steps to attempt to verify that the Primary
FTS contract rights exists. (paragraph 4.8.6)
• Company may require NGS to demonstrate in writing that the NGS has under contract sufficient
firm capacity
• Failure to demonstrate sufficient Other Primary FTS capacity was held shall subject the NGS to
bear its respective share of any and all costs incurred by the Company as a result of the NGS’
failure
NOTE: Capacity Assignment is Mandatory in CPA
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Daily Delivery Requirements (DDR)
Daily Delivery Requirements (DDR) shall be calculated by Columbia by determining the estimate of the normalized
annual consumption of all Customers that will be in the Marketer’s Aggregation Pool during the following month, and
dividing that aggregate sum by 365. Columbia shall convert the quotient to a Dth basis using Columbia’s annual
average Btu content, and shall adjust for Company use and Retainage. The resultant quantity shall be the Daily
Delivery Requirement for the Choice Aggregation Nomination Group.
Demand Curves are posted on the columbiagaschoice.com website in a comma delimited format.
Main Points:
•
Flow gas by calendar month - Receive payment by billing month.
•
Expect more deliveries than collections October-January.
•
Increasing Apparent Gas Banks and Negative Cash Flow in the Fall.
•
Expect more collections than deliveries February-April.
•
Decreasing Apparent Gas Banks and Positive Cash Flow in the Spring.
•
Columbia may adjust the DDR in the months of May and June to meet operational needs.
•
Flow according to DDR Flat Demand
•
Marketers required to deliver gas supplies to Columbia at the Primary Firm City Gate Delivery Points designated in
the Marketer’s assigned firm transportation capacity on a daily basis.
•
Demand Curves posted on or before the 20th of each month.
•
Deliveries based on 62-degree F
Non Compliance Charges to the DDR
•
Non SFO, OFO OMO days- Failure to deliver according to the demand curve requirements will result in the
marketer being charged a fee of $2.33 per thm/$23.30 per dth plus all other charges or costs incurred by Columbia
as a result of the failure to deliver as required.
•
SFO, OFO or OMO days- non compliance charge will be $4.66 per thm/$46.60 per dth. In addition, the NGS will
be responsible for the payment of all other charges incurred by Columbia that result from the NGS’ failure to
deliver as required.
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Customer Billing & Rates
Section 5
Billing Options
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania allows the NGS to choose from two billing options in rendering a bill to a
participating Choice customer. The NGS can opt for dual or consolidated billing. The billing option must be selected
at the time the NGS signs the Choice Distribution Aggregation Agreement. This election can be changed annually.
If an NGS chooses the consolidated billing option, the Purchase of Receivables Agreement is required to be
Executed.
•
Natural Gas Supplier
Gas Cost Only
April 2014
•
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
– Total Cost: Transportation + Gas Cost
– Transportation Only
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Time Line for Rate Codes
•
•
•
•
On the 2nd business day each month Columbia
provides a .RATE file which provides a
summary of all prior month rate codes and
dollar values.
Natural Gas Supplier has until the 20th of the
month to submit any changes and or add rates
for new Rate Codes
If the Natural Gas Supplier submits any
changes, Columbia sends a pre-bill by fax,
asking the Natural Gas Supplier to review and
confirm before Unit 21 bills.
Natural Gas Supplier then confirms all new and
existing Rates by signing the fax cover letter
NOTE: No response constitutes
confirmation of Rates
Example:
Natural Gas Supplier has three accounts to flow gas on May 1st:
May: 12345678-001-8
XXX03
$3.30
15678912-002-7
XXX03
$3.30
14789123-001-2
XXX03
$3.30
Customer #2 negotiates a different rate ($2.00/Dth) for the month of
June. Using an established rate code, XXX01, this is how the
change would appear for June:
June: 12345678-001-8
XXX03
$3.30
15678912-002-7
XXX01
$2.00
14789123-001-2
XXX03
$3.30
Natural Gas Supplier Submitted the #2 account through the .DAT file
using a “5” code to change the rate code
Note: Changing the rate code XXX03 to $2.00 would have affected
all three accounts
The XXX03 is a variable rate that the Natural Gas Supplier wishes to
change in July
In order for the Natural Gas Supplier to affect the July billings for
Customer 1 and 3, the Natural Gas Supplier must submit a
Rate Statement for a rate code change to XXX03 by June
20th. (Proposed new amount to be $2.95/Dth)
July: 12345678-001-8
15678912-002-7
14789123-001-2
XXX03
XXX01
XXX03
$2.95
$2.00
$2.95
Please Note: No Change to .DAT file was needed
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New Rate Code Process
Establishing a new rate code:
•
Supplier must email their Choice Analyst a
minimum of 45 days prior to the flow month
(ex: requested by 5/15 available 7/1)
•
Dollar values must be submitted at the time
of the request for new rate codes to prevent
an account being added to a rate code that
has no dollar value attached. Once the rate
code has been created, if the dollar value
needs to be changed, this can be done using
the automated rate entry process by the 20th
of the month.
•
If the 20th fall on a weekend or holiday the
new rates are due the previous business
day.
On the 2nd business day each month Columbia
provides a .RATE file which provides a summary of
all your prior month rate codes and dollar values.
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CPA Rate Code Process: Rate Changes
The XXXRATE.DAT file is an automated process utilized by the Natural Gas Supplier to change the price point
attached to their NGS rate codes. New rate information can be submitted from the 21st of the current month through
the 20th of the following month. The information is due by 5:00 pm EST. There is one exception to the automated
process, Natural Gas Supplier rate codes that have never had a dollar value assigned will need to be submitted
manually via the current manual process.
If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the submission period ends on the previous business day. If the 21st
falls on a weekend or holiday the submission period starts the next business day.
•
The NGS will submit changes using their 5 digit NGS rate code and a 7 digit dollar value. The dollar value
must be submitted with a decimal point between the dollars and cents fields.
Example:
ABC12 XX.XXXX
The NGS must start with a clean Rate.Dat file every day. An “empty” Rate.Dat file is posted daily.
We recommend all rate value submissions are sent to Columbia by the 19th of the month. This will allow one
day to submit any final corrections prior to unit 1 billing
•
The NGS will receive either an .RAC1 or a .RERR file that provides the rates that were preliminarily
accepted or rejected from the XXXRATE.DAT file uploaded the previous business day.
•
After unit 21 bills the NGS will receive a .RAC2. The .RAC2, final acceptance file provides the rate values
that will be used for customer billing starting with unit 1 for the effective month. The .RAC2 file will replace
the hard copy pre-bills that are normally sent. The exception will be NGS rate code changes that are
submitted manually. Hard copy pre-bills will still be sent for them.
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Supplier Invoicing
Section 6
Natural Gas Supplier Invoicing
Monthly Billing
•
•
•
The NGS delivers gas on a daily basis and the customers are billed on a 21 unit billing cycle.
After all meters have been read or calculated and nominations have been confirmed, the process
for billing the NGS begins approximately the 6th working day of the month.
If the NGS participates in the Purchase of Receivables Program, the Receivables credit amount
will appear on the invoice. Adjustment will be processed to reflect any amount owed Columbia
which will be withheld from the Receivables.
Payment will be made to the NGS by the 20th of each month for the prior month billing.
Annual Reconciliation
•
Columbia annually reconciles and cashes-out the difference between the actual consumption of
each Choice Aggregation Nomination Group and the NGS’s deliveries. The reconciliation and
cash-out amount shall be calculated annually following each July billing cycle. If the imbalance is
negative, the NGS must purchase the deficient volume for Columbia at the weighted average cost
of gas, defined as the quotient of (1) the total commodity cost of gas purchases, including
transmission pipeline transportation and the fuel retention for the twelve months ending the
preceding June 30, divided by (2) tariff sales for the same twelve month period. If the imbalance is
positive, Columbia will purchase the excess volume from the NGS at the same price described
above.
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Bill Image Sample
RATE SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Nomination Group: 0000
True-Up Period: OPT 1 YRLY
Next true-up date : JUL 20XX
Rate Schedule: MKP
Rate
Volume
Amount
Excess Bank sold to Columbia
Base Rate
All Gas (Dth)
0.0000
0.0
Rate Schedule MKT Total
$0.00
Nomination Group 0000 Total
Volume
Marketer Receivables
Choice Supplier Commodity Payment (Dth)
$0.00
21,308.0
Current Charges Total
$0.00
Amount
$149,156.00 Credit
$149,156.00 Credit
SUMMARY OF GAS RECEIPTS
Nom Group
0000
From Date To Date
MM-DD-YYYY
Shipper
SUPPLIER
Source
INTER: TCO
Dth
48,336
IMBALANCE/ALLOCATION SUMMARY
Nomination Group 0000
INTER: TCO
(Dth)
Beginning Imbalance
(38,596.0)
Current Month Activity
Volume Received
Adjustment
Allocations
48,336.0
0.0
21,308.0
Remaining Volume
Unbilled Imbalance
Monthly Imbalance
Ending Imbalance
(11,568.0)
0.0
0.0
(11,568.0)
Average Btu of 1.092
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100
Annual Reconciliation
April 2014
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Annual Reconciliation (continued)
April 2014
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Bill Image – Annual Reconciliation
RATE SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Nomination Group: 0000
True-Up Period: OPT 1 YRLY
Next true-up date : JUL 20XX
Rate Schedule: MKP
Rate
Volume
Amount
Excess Bank sold to Columbia
Base Rate
All Gas (Dth)
0.0000
0.0
5.3690
2755.0
$0.00
Other Charges
Annual Cashout - Gas Purchase from Supplier (Dth)
Rate Schedule MKT Total
$14,791.60 Credit
Nomination Group 0000 Total
Volume
Marketer Receivables
$14,791.60 Credit
Choice Supplier Commodity Payment (Dth)
14,336.0
Current Charges Total
$14,791.60 Credit
Amount
$100,352.00 Credit
$115,143.60 Credit
SUMMARY OF GAS RECEIPTS
Nom Group
0000
From Date To Date
Shipper
07-01-20XX 07-31-20XX SUPPLIER
Source
INTER: TCO
Dth
36,558
IMBALANCE/ALLOCATION SUMMARY
Nomination Group 0000
INTER: TCO
(Dth)
Beginning Imbalance
(11,568.0)
Current Month Activity
Volume Received
Adjustment
Allocations
36,558.0
0.0
14,336.0
Remaining Volume
Unbilled Imbalance
Monthly Imbalance
Ending Imbalance
10,654.0
7,899.0
2,755.0
7,899.0
Average Btu of 1.096
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103
Aviator
Section 7
Accessing the GTS Bill Viewer
Choice NGS can access their Choice invoices for their company through the Aviator website
(www.ldcaviator.com). This allows the NGS easy access to view their invoices 24 hours a day.
You must request an access code from your Choice Analyst
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Accessing the GTS Bill Viewer (Continued)
•
To Access GTS Bill/Viewer:
– Click on the GTS Bill Viewer tab
•
To view the Invoice
– Enter the Invoice Group number and the
Access Code, then click Submit.
– The Invoice Group Name will be displayed
in the Account Verification field.
Be advised after five unsuccessful attempts
to log in with an incorrect Account Group /
Access Code the account will be locked. If
an user is not authorized, a message will
appear stating user is not authorized to view
invoices.
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Accessing the GTS Bill Viewer (Continued)
•
Click Yes to verify the account information is
correct.
The Billing Month Grid will be displayed.
•
Select a billing month hyperlink in the Select
Bill Month grid.
Adobe Reader will be launched displaying
the invoice in .pdf format.
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Customer Concern Database
The Customer Concern Database is an automated process using Aviator to move and store information about
customer issues. The database can be used for concerns raised by both Choice and GTS customers. It is
viewed by Columbia and the Marketer. The site is password protected. Each person responsible for
monitoring the Concern Database will be assigned a User ID and password.
Benefits to the Marketer include, but are not limited to:
• automated electronic process
• increase efficiency and lower processing costs
• happier customers due to the speed of the responses
• ability to view all information about the customer concern
• status of all customer concerns easily available
• automatic three-day reminder message
• password protected so the Marketer knows the concerns of its own customers
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Customer Concern Database (continued)
NGS are encouraged to check the
database daily, as there is a three day
response time.
•
•
•
April 2014
Access the Aviator site @
www.ldcaviator.com
Log in using your assigned
USERID and Password
Click on the Choice Concerns
Hyperlink at the top of the page
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Customer Concern Database (continued)
The NGS will have two options displayed from
the drop down menu
•
The Concern List screen provides a
listing of concerns. This screen will default
to active concerns which need attention
based upon its status. New concerns will
be highlighted in yellow and after three
days, if not completed, the concerns will be
highlighted in red.
•
The Reports screen allows users to
generate reports based upon predefined
criteria.
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Customer Concern Database (continued)
•
Click on the ID of the concern in the Waiting for
Marketer status and access the Concern Details
screen.
•
Review the customer concern and expectations for
resolution.
--To navigate away from the page without
saving the data entered, click Return
•
Enter a response in the Response Form field.
•
Click Send Response to electronically return the
concern and go back to the Concern List screen.
•
The response will be returned and the concern
status will be updated to Waiting on
Nisource/Commission
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Customer Concern Database (continued)
•
To access reports select: Choice
Concerns/Reports
•
The Concerns Reports screen allows users to
generate reports based upon predefined criteria.
Multiple columns can be selected using
(CTRLClick).
•
Reports can be opened in an Excel format. The
report must be run before it can be exported.
•
Additionally, if using IE7 or IE8, automatic
prompting for downloads must be checked in
Internet Options for this functionality to work
properly.
•
•
•
Default filters are displayed.
Click Run to display results.
Click Export to open in Excel format.
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