Press Release

PUC Finalizes Rulemaking for Marketing, Sales Practice Guidelines for Electric Generation, Natural Gas Suppliers; Issues Interim Standards for Switching EGSs

Published on 10/24/2012

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued a final rulemaking order for marketing and sales practices used by electric generation suppliers (EGSs) and natural gas suppliers (NGSs), and also established interim guidelines regarding standards for changing a customer’s EGS.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the rulemaking regarding regulations that cover a wide range of topics and recommend best practices for direct (door-to-door) marketing, telemarketing and sales. The regulations will apply to both EGSs and NGSs and to any entity conducting activities on their behalf. 

More and more EGSs and NGSs are entering the state’s retail electric and natural gas supply markets. The Commission said suppliers are expected to conduct themselves with the regulations in mind so that their sales and marketing activities do not call into question the fairness and integrity of the competitive market.

Today’s action builds on interim guidelines adopted Nov. 6, 2011, regarding direct marketing, telemarketing and sales after considering comments from interested parties. The interim guidelines were developed by the PUC’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight as a result of meetings held with PUC working groups including CHARGE (Committee Handling Activities for Retail Growth in Electricity) and SEARCH (Stakeholders Exploring Avenues to Remove Competitive Hurdles). 

In a separate action, the Commission voted 5-0 to establish interim guidelines and standards for changing an EGS.  Based on customer complaints and EGS concerns, the PUC’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight explored options to shorten the timeframe for a customer to switch EGSs.  A typical change in EGS can take between 16 and 45 days.  These interim guidelines are intended to reduce the confirmation period for customer enrollments from 10 to five days.  The establishment of these interim guidelines also stemmed from the Commission’s recent Retail Markets Investigation.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, video and audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov.

Docket Nos. L-2010-2208332; M-2011-2270442

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov