Ohio Drops Requirement from TPV Said to Encourage Customers to Shop With Different Supplier

On rehearing, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has deleted from the requirements for third party verifications of retail natural gas contracts a question seen as confusing, and even seen as suggesting to the customer that they should enroll with a provider other than the one for whom the TPV is being conducted.

Specifically, in adopting revised natural gas market rules in December, PUCO added to the telephonic TPV a requirement that the customer acknowledge, "that the retail natural gas supplier or governmental aggregator is not the customer's natural gas company and that the customer may choose to remain with the natural gas company's applicable tariff or default service or enroll with another retail natural gas supplier."

In rehearing requests, retail suppliers said that the phrase "enroll with another retail natural gas supplier" suggested that the customer should be served elsewhere

In response to such rehearing requests, PUCO struck the phrase "or enroll with another retail natural gas supplier" from the required verification, agreeing that the phrase could cause confusion.

Additionally, on rehearing, PUCO eliminated the requirement for representatives engaged in direct solicitations (including door-to-door sales) to wear branded clothing. A photo ID will still be required for all agents engaged in direct solicitations, however.

PUCO also ruled on rehearing that customers may be provided with terms and conditions via electronic copy if: (1) the customer agrees to receive an electronic copy rather than a paper copy; (2) the customer is offered an unsigned paper copy with a version number identical to the electronic copy; and (3) receipt of the e-mail can be verified.