Briefly

Stream Energy Receives Maryland Electric License
The Maryland PSC granted Stream Energy an electric supplier license. Chairman Douglas Nazarian continued to express concern with the network marketing model in general, though such concerns were not specific to Stream. Commissioner Lawrence Brenner said that he would have zero tolerance for any departures from the Commission's consumer protection regulations for any supplier using network marketing or a similar marketing approach. Stream's Maryland application was first reported by Matters (9/29).

Maryland PSC Issues Show Cause Order to Viridian Energy Over Staff Complaint
The Maryland PSC yesterday issued a show cause order to Viridian Energy PA, LLC directing the supplier to appear before the Commission on February 9 at the end of the administrative meeting to show cause why the company's electric license should not be suspended or revoked; why the company should not be precluded from soliciting additional customers; and why the company should not be subject to a civil penalty (Case 9255). The show cause order relates to Staff's allegations that Viridian uses "misleading and deceptive practices," with Staff citing advertisements which mention specific savings despite Viridian's website stating that its price is not always lower than the utility (see 1/17).

Md. PSC Defers Action on Suncom Energy Broker License
The Maryland PSC deferred consideration of Suncom Energy, Inc.'s electric broker license so that company representatives may appear before the Commission and answer several questions that arose from Commissioners during the administrative meeting yesterday. In particular, Commissioners noted that Suncom describes itself as finding the supplier with the lowest price, but, at least according to Staff's understanding based on responses from the company, it is only brokering for a single supplier.

DPUC Affirms Hearings on NU-Nstar Jurisdictional Question
The Connecticut DPUC affirmed a draft decision, first noted by Matters yesterday, to hold hearings regarding whether it should exercise jurisdiction over the merger of Nstar-Northeast Utilities.