NYSEG and RG&E Request Trade Secret Protection for Natural Gas Supply Commodity Information

Strategic Insights -

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) have submitted a request to the New York State Department of Public Service for trade secret protection for information related to their natural gas supply commodity purchases. The companies claim that the disclosure of this information would be highly sensitive and could give their competitors a material advantage in their dealings with the companies. The requested protection would prevent the disclosure of detailed summaries of the companies' gas supply purchases, including the sources of gas purchased, delivery routes, and cost components.

Key Takeaways:

  • NYSEG and RG&E are seeking trade secret protection for information regarding their natural gas supply commodity purchases.
  • The companies claim that disclosure of this information would be highly sensitive and could give competitors a material advantage.
  • The requested protection would prevent the disclosure of detailed summaries of the companies' gas supply purchases, including:

+ Sources of gas purchased

+ Delivery routes

+ Cost components

+ Dollar volumes in total as attributable to each cost component

  • The companies have provided redacted versions of the Commodity workpapers to the Secretary and the DPS Staff that requested the information.
  • The information in the document is not generally available to the public and would be difficult and costly for the companies' suppliers, competitors, or customers to develop through their own efforts.
  • The requested protection is necessary to prevent the Companies' competitors from using the information to their advantage in their negotiations with the Companies.

Statistics:

  • October 2020: The period for which the Companies' gas supply purchases are detailed in the workpapers.
  • Multiple pages: The number of pages showing highly detailed summaries of the Companies' gas supply purchases.
  • Several suppliers: The number of gas suppliers mentioned in the document.
  • 16 NYCRR SS 6-1.3: The Commission Regulation cited by the Companies in support of their request for trade secret protection.

Sources:

  • NYSEG and RG&E - Request for Trade Secret Protection for Information Regarding Natural Gas Supply Commodity (September 28, 2020)
  • New York State Department of Public Service - 18 Link Drive, Binghamton, NY 13902-5224 Telephone 585-484-6936 www.nyseg.com, www.rge.com, mcnierney@nyseg.com