In the "Report On The July 7, 1997 Direct Access Workshop On Retail Settlements and Information Flow," it was proposed that common data identifiers be adopted to facilitate the tracking and correlation of direct access customers, meter instruments, and SDPs. One of the suggested data identifiers was the UNI.
The Commission recognized in D.97-12-090 that a window of opportunity exists to adopt and implement a UNI numbering system. This opportunity arises because direct access is still in its infancy and some of the implementation details associated with direct access transactions are still being refined and adjusted. D.97-12-090 acknowledged that such a system could enhance the ability to track electricity transactions. (D.97-12-090, p. 9.)
The UNISWG submitted its Workshop Report in response to the Commission's direction in D.97-12-090. Nine separate comments were filed in response to the Workshop Report.3 Subsequently, on August 21, 1998, 16 different entities submitted a joint letter to the Commissioners, with a copy to the service list, regarding their preferred alternative for resolving the issues raised in the Workshop Report.4 The preferred alternative simplifies the UNI number approach while retaining the benefits of such a system, and allows the numbering system to be implemented in a timely manner.
3 The parties who filed comments to the Workshop Report were: the California Energy Commission, Enron, Northern California Power Agency, Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA), PG&E, SDG&E, Sierra Pacific Power Company, and SCE. In addition, Cellnet Data Systems, Christian Energy, Eastern Pacific Energy, Keystone Energy, PowerCom and Utilisis, as members of the California Competition Network and the Environmental Marketing Group, filed joint comments.
4 The 16 signatories to the joint letter come from the following organizations: California Energy Commission, CellNet Data Systems, PG&E, Enron, SDG&E, SCE, Automated Power Exchange, FirstPoint Utility Solutions; ABAG Power, SPURR/REMAC, ORA, eT Communications, Green Mountain Energy Resources, L.L.C., California Competition Network, Schlumberger RMS, ConnexT, and C3 Communications.
