Retail Suppliers Make Recommendations on Massachusetts Contract Summary Form

A working group of retail suppliers has made a recommendation to the Massachusetts DPU for the content and format of a contract summary form required of retail contracts.

The supplier working group recommends that the use of the standard contract summary form be limited to residential customers only, and not required for small business contracts.

The supplier working group recommends that the DPU adopt the Pennsylvania PUC contract summary form, with its prescribed categories for generally available offers.

"The required information for each category should take into account the content flexibility necessary to accurately describe the various pricing and product offerings available from suppliers," the supplier working group said.

"The Working Group encourages the Department to adopt a template that mandates certain uniform formatting requirements (e.g., headings, font size, e.g., a 10 point or larger) and identifies specific, minimum data inclusion requirements (i.e., instructions on the type of information that must be disclosed for each category) but that allows Suppliers the flexibility to provide the required information in a manner that accurately describes the pricing and product offering," the supplier working group said.

Among other things, the Pennsylvania contract summary form requires the supplier to list:

Price Structure: Fixed/Variable. If variable, based on what? If variable, how often is the rate expected to vary? If variable, give any applicable ranges/ceilings. If no ranges/ceilings, a plain language statement indicating this fact. If variable, describe when the customer will receive notification of price changes in relation to time of month, final monthly meter read, billing cycle or when the price takes effect.

Generation/Supply Price: $/kWh or ¢/kWh. If variable rate, the first billing cycle's rate. Any introductory rate with length of term.

Statement Regarding Savings: Plain language that the supply price may not always provide savings to the customer

Incentives: Any bonuses, discounts, cashback, etc. offers and any associated terms, in plain language

Contract Start Date: Plain language regarding start of EGS service (meter reads/billing cycles/etc.)

Contract Term/Length: In months, billing cycles, etc.

Cancellation/Early Termination Fees: Yes or no. If yes, describe the amount of the fee and how to avoid that fee, if possible.

Renewal Terms: Treatment of customer at end of contract. Timing of notices. No cancellation/early termination fees. In plain language