PSC Directs Workgroup To Meet on Applicability of New Customer Protection Regulations to C&I Customers

The Maryland PSC has directed the RM 54 working group to meet on the issue of whether recently adopted electric and natural gas customer protections under COMAR 20.53.08 and COMAR 20.59.08 apply to non-residential customers

Most provisions of the new rules, such as those relating to rate disclosures, were explicitly limited to residential customers.

However, sections relating to supplier-agent relations, including rules for door-to-door sales, background checks, agent training, and suppliers responsibility for agents, were not explicitly limited to residential service.

Direct Energy noted that applicability of the supplier-agent relation to non-residential customers was never discussed in the rulemaking process, but in adopting the rules, the PSC did not add language explicitly limiting the supplier-agent relation rules to residential customers.

After the rules were adopted, Direct Energy again sought clarification on the applicability of the supplier-agent relation rules to non-residential customers.

In response, the PSC issued an order directing the RM54 Working Group, "to meet on the issue of customer applicability of COMAR 20.53.08 and COMAR 20.59.08 [supplier-agent relations] for discussion and development of appropriate language for Commission consideration."