Massachusetts DPU Orders Utilities to Post Suppliers' Offers on Utility Websites

The Massachusetts DPU has directed the electric distribution companies to cure deficiencies in their compliance with a prior DPU order concerning the posting of competitive supplier information, including offer information, on the utilities' websites.

In August 2009, in compliance with statute, the DPU ordered the utilities to disseminate competitive supply offer information through various channels, including through the utility websites (Docket 09-46-B).

Specifically, the DPU ordered that the utility websites shall, "provide interested customers with more than just contact information regarding the competitive suppliers, and instead must include some description of the participating competitive suppliers' available offers."

The DPU said, in a February 21, 2012 memo, that the utilities, "are not maintaining their websites in compliance," with the DPU order. Among other deficiencies listed below, the DPU said that the utility websites do not provide information on the competitive suppliers' available offers.

To rectify the deficiencies, the DPU directed the utilities to revise their websites and report back to the Department within 60 days. In addition, the Department directed the utilities to review their implementation of other aspects of the D.P.U. 09-46-B Order, such as bill inserts and communications with customers, to ensure complete compliance.

Specific deficiencies cited by the DPU were as follows:

National Grid:
• The homepage does not contain "a clear and obvious link" to the webpage containing the competitive supplier information.
• The website does not contain a dedicated webpage called "Competitive Supply."
• The website provides only contact information for the competitive suppliers.
• The basic service rates are contained on a separate webpage from the competitive supplier information.

Nstar Electric:
• The website provides only contact information for the competitive suppliers.
• The basic service rates are contained on a separate webpage from the competitive supplier information.

Western Massachusetts Electric Company:
• The website does not contain a dedicated webpage called "Competitive Supply."
• The website provides only contact information for the competitive suppliers and brokers, indications of whether the entities are competitive suppliers or brokers, and a list of the customer classes each entity serves.
• The basic service rates are contained on a separate webpage from the competitive supplier information.

Unitil:
• The homepage does not contain "a clear and obvious link" to the webpage containing the competitive supplier information.
• The website does not contain any information on individual suppliers, only a link that takes you to a Department-sponsored webpage listing all approved suppliers and brokers.
• The basic service rates are contained on a separate webpage from the competitive supplier information.