Pa. PUC Allows ESPI Use of Trade Name Pennsylvania Gas & Electric With Disclosures

The Pennsylvania PUC, in licensing Energy Services Providers, Inc. as an electric generation supplier, will allow ESPI to use the trade name Pennsylvania Gas & Electric, but will require certain disclosures to ensure customers do not mistake the supplier for a utility.

As Matters reported last week (5/6), the PUC granted ESPI a license at its Thursday administrative meeting; however, a written order addressing the trade name issue was not served until Monday.

In its order, the Commission said that it, "is concerned that there may [be] customer confusion with this name [Pennsylvania Gas & Electric] regarding possible affiliation with an electric distribution public utility."

Accordingly, the PUC ordered ESPI to include a disclaimer on its website and in its marketing brochures, contracts, or other materials used in Pennsylvania, that indicates that the supplier is not affiliated with any public utility.

Additionally, the Commission reserved its ability to revisit this naming issue in the future, especially in light of the rulemaking at Docket No. L-2010-2160942, regarding supplier marketing practices.

The PUC had previously permitted the use of the Pennsylvania Gas & Electric trade name for an ESPI-affiliated natural gas supplier without raising any concerns.