THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will conduct summary proceedings for certain applications of power companies to address the backlog of cases.
Under Resolution 16, the Commission authorized the conduct of summary proceedings for applications involving authority to develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point (P2P) limited transmission facilities, approval of capital expenditure (Capex) projects, confirmation of over or under recoveries, approval of power supply contracts, issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity, and business separation and unbundling plans.
However, the summary proceedings will only apply if the applications are uncontested.
For applications with intervenors, the ERC said all parties should agree to proceed with the conduct of summary proceeding.
‘To achieve the policy of the state of total electrification in the country and ensure the quality, reliability, and affordability of the supply of electric power, there is a need to expedite the processing and applications.filed before the ERC,’ the agency said.
The ERC resolution, which was promulgated on September 29, is in line with Rule 17 of the ERC’s Revised Rules of Practice and Procedure (RRPP), which allows the conduct of summary proceedings for cases pending before the Commission.
ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Francis Saturnino C. Juan said this reflects the Commission’s drive toward faster and more efficient regulation in line with its vision of a ‘new ERC.’
‘We will do everything we can to accelerate the resolution of applications filed before the ERC. Streamlining our processes is key to fulfilling our commitment to a more responsive and revitalized ERC,’ Juan added.