Pennsylvania Implements Upgrades to PAPowerSwitch.com, Directs Suppliers to be "Diligent" in Updating Pricing

The Pennsylvania PUC has implemented several upgrades to PAPowerSwitch.com, and reminded electric generation suppliers (EGSs), "to be diligent in updating their pricing information."

Recent enhancements to PAPowerSwitch.com include the term for a fixed-price product, which is shown on the shopping page and is sortable; sorting by cancellation fees; simultaneous viewing of several EGSs' "additional information" fields; and increased visibility of the "additional information" link.

Additionally, PAPowerSwitch.com now provides an opportunity for EGSs to provide information as to the location and percentage of their renewable energy products, as well as other details about these products (including a link to ChoosePAWind, if applicable), which will be accessible to consumers by clicking on a link to a new informational field on the shopping page.

Also, consumers will be able to sort the offers on the basis of percentage and location of renewable energy.

In addition, the PUC has developed a new "Renewable Energy" page that contains educational information for consumers about these products and includes related links, and has enhanced the "Ways to Save Energy" page.

The PUC emphasized the need for EGSs listing renewable energy products to comply with regulations at 52 Pa. Code §54.6. Under that provision, "[w]henever EGSs market their generation as having special characteristics, such as 'produced in Pennsylvania' or 'environmentally friendly' and the like, providers shall have information available to substantiate their claims."

"In particular, this provision requires that the disclosure of generation energy sources shall be identifiable and verifiable through an auditable contract trail, such as a tradable commodity system. Failure to comply with the Commission's regulations can lead to enforcement actions, which may result in the imposition of civil penalties and/or the revocation of an EGS license," the PUC said.