Regulator Moves To Implement Uniform Training For Retail Supplier Agents

The Illinois Commerce Commission's first notice order concerning retail electric supplier marketing rules would require that supplier agents complete a uniform training regimen that is to be developed by stakeholders.

Adoption of a first notice order means the ICC will now submit the revisions to 83 Ill. Adm. Code 412 and 83 Ill. Adm. Code 453 to the Secretary of State to begin the first notice period required for rulemakings. The ICC will have to vote on the rules again before they are final.

Specifically, the ICC would direct that retail supplier trade groups, the Citizens Utility Board, ICC Staff, and the Attorney General should create a uniform training program for supplier agents upon implementation of the rules. ICC Staff would be ordered to lead and organize a workshop process to develop the training regimen.

At the conclusion of the workshop process, the Commission would vote to approve or disapprove the substance of the training.

The training program would then be mandatory for agents.

The form of the program would be electronic to ensure that training does not become cost prohibitive, the ICC said

Retail suppliers will be responsible for costs associated with creating and implementing the program, as well as certification fees, if applicable, the ICC said

Retail suppliers, "must provide a certification to the Commission showing that an agent successfully completed the training program prior to an agent being eligible to market or sell electricity service in Illinois," the ICC would rule

The proposed rules provide, "All RES [retail electric supplier] agents shall complete a uniform training program. RESs shall document the training of its agents and provide a certification to the Commission showing that an agent completed the training program prior to an agent being eligible to market or sell electricity in Illinois. RESs shall maintain records of certificates for three years from the date the training was completed. Upon request by the Commission or Commission Staff, a RES shall provide training materials and training records within seven business days."

Docket 15-0512