Retail Suppliers Seek Workgroup On Proposed Changes to Customer Protection Regulations (Changes Would Require Signed Contract For All But Internet Sales)

The Retail Energy Supply Association requested that the District of Columbia PSC establish a working group of interested stakeholders to hold a series of meetings to discuss modifications to the customer protection rules proposed by the PSC.

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, the proposed rule changes are most notable for requiring double verification of most electric and natural gas sales, adding a written contract requirement to telesales, and a third party verification (or other recording) requirement for door-to-door sales.

The proposed rule changes would impact, among other things, marketing, advertising, enrollments, and suppliers' and utilities' internal systems and technologies, to name a few areas.

Click here for story on proposed rule changes

"It is RESA's view that before any amendments are adopted, the Commission would benefit from a collaborative stakeholder process similar to the process that gave rise to the adoption of the CBORs [Consumer Bill of Rights] several years ago," RESA said.

"RESA recommends that the Commission convene a stakeholder working group which would hold a series of meetings to identify current areas of concern and, if possible, reach consensus on those areas. The working group would then submit a report to the Commission with consensus and non-consensus items," RESA said.

RESA said that it was authorized to represent to the PSC that the Office of People's Counsel, the District Government, and Washington Gas Light Company support the formation of a working group.