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Draft Drops Proposal For Comprehensive Uniform, Approved Training Of Retail Supplier Agents

March 29, 2017

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Copyright 2010-17 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

A proposed second notice order from an Illinois ALJ concerning broad changes to the retail electric marketing rules would delete an earlier proposal for a comprehensive mandatory uniform training program, approved by the ICC, for all sales agents

However, certain uniformity in suppliers' individual training programs would still be required.

As previously reported, an earlier first notice order would have required that all supplier agents complete a uniform training regimen that was to be developed by stakeholders and subject to approval by the ICC

While the proposed second notice order retains an emphasis on creating uniform training materials that would include greater agent understanding of various customer protections rules, the proposed second notice would not require implementation of a comprehensive uniform training regimen.

"The Commission continues to believe a workshop will ensure that regulatory compliance for in-person sales and other forms of marketing would be more robust if the rules for RES [retail electric supplier] agent training are strengthened. However, the Commission finds that developing a uniform training program may be difficult considering the widely differing businesses that are certified as RESs in Illinois. RESs use varying business models, market in different ways, and offer diverse products, which may be too complex to standardize," the proposed second notice order states

"Furthermore, the Commission does not want to be in a position to 'authorize' a RES’s training such that at a later time, the Commission cannot investigate its marketing practices," the proposed second notice order states

"Therefore, the Commission orders Staff to convene annual workshops among all interested RESs and RES associations, the AG and CUB, to create a training for RES agents which addresses compliance with Parts 412 and 453 that could be incorporated into each RES’s individualized training program," the proposed second notice order states

Under the latest proposed rule language, all supplier agents would be required to, "complete a uniform training program which covers the applicable Sections of this Code Part" (e.g. the Parts 412 and 453 customer protection rules)

"The Commission finds that RES agents would benefit from a deeper understanding of the rules that apply to the solicitation of customers under the various marketing scenarios," the proposed second notice order states

Docket 15-0512

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