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PUC Sets Workshop On New Law Which Includes Authority For Utilities To Impose Financial Standards On Retail Suppliers
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The PUC of Ohio has initiated a rulemaking related to several retail energy market aspects of HB 15, with PUCO Staff to hold an initial workshop, prior to the drafting of any proposed rules, on August 5, 2025
The rulemaking will specifically address HB15's provisions related to retail energy supplier financial requirements, and customer enrollment
Specifically, a PUCO ALJ described the rulemaking thusly: "Specifically, the amendments to R.C. 4928.08 and 4929.20 instruct the Commission to establish rules to require competitive retail electric service (CRES) suppliers and competitive retail natural gas service (CRNGS) suppliers, respectively, to maintain sufficient financial assurances to protect customers, electric distribution utilities, and natural gas companies in the event of a default. The new sections, R.C. 4928.103 and 4929.222, require the Commission to adopt rules regarding the customer account information needed to verify identity before switching CRES or CRNGS suppliers."
As previously reported, HB 15 provides statutory authority for utilities to set "reasonable standards" for financial requirements applicable to retail suppliers
Specifically, HB 15 provides that PUCO, "shall establish rules to require an electric services company to maintain financial assurances sufficient to protect customers and electric distribution utilities from default."
"Such rules also shall specifically allow an electric distribution utility to set reasonable standards for its security and the security of its customers through financial requirements set in its tariffs," HB 15 provides
HB 15 specifically provides that, as used with regards to financial security, the term "electric services company" includes retail suppliers but excludes brokers and aggregators
Similar provisions concerning PUCO and utility authority to set financial standards are included in HB 15 with respect to retail natural gas suppliers as well (while also excluding gas brokers and aggregators)
HB 15 does strike prior statutory language stating that retail gas suppliers may be required to provide a "performance bond"; however, the bill does not prohibit the requirement of a performance bond, but rather delegates to PUCO and the LDCs the nature of any financial security
HB 15 also permits a form of enroll-by-wallet for both electricity and gas
Specifically, HB 15 provides that, "A customer who consents to a change of supplier shall not be required to provide customer account information to the supplier if the customer provides a valid form of government-issued identification issued to the customer or a sufficient alternative form of identification that allows the supplier to establish the customer's identity accurately."
The PUCO rulemaking is docketed as Case 25-0729-GE-ORD / 25-729-GE-ORD
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Will Also Address Law's Enroll By Wallet Requirement
July 10, 2025
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Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com
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