Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation Requests Trade Secret Protection for Natural Gas Supply Information

Strategic Insights -

The New York State Department of Public Service has received a document from the Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) requesting trade secret protection for sensitive information regarding the company's natural gas supply purchases. The document, comprising three pages, contains highly detailed summary data on RG&E's gas supply purchases for delivery in June 2015. The information includes the sources of gas purchased, volume to be delivered by each supplier, delivery route, differential from the NYMEX price, commodity and demand charges applicable, and dollar volumes in total as attributable to each cost component.

Key Takeaways:

  • RG&E is requesting trade secret protection for a three-page document containing sensitive information on natural gas supply purchases.
  • The document includes details on gas sources, volume, delivery route, and cost components, which could be used to competitive advantage by suppliers or customers.
  • Disclosure of the information would jeopardize RG&E's ability to obtain optimal pricing terms on gas purchases and non-tariffed sales, increasing the cost of serving customers.
  • The document also contains data on gas transportation services, pipeline volumes, and average costs, which could be used to RG&E's disadvantage by suppliers or competitors.
  • The company has submitted a cover letter with the required information and requests that the entirety of the document be accorded trade secret protection.

Statistics:

  • 3-page document submitted by RG&E requesting trade secret protection (Source: Doc.)
  • Information contained in the document includes:

+ Sources of gas purchased

+ Volume to be delivered by each supplier

+ Delivery route

+ Differential from the NYMEX price

+ Commodity and demand charges applicable

+ Dollar volumes in total as attributable to each cost component

  • RG&E's ability to obtain optimal pricing terms on gas purchases would be jeopardized if the information were disclosed (Source: Doc.)