People's Counsel Seeks Change To Require Written Signature For Telephonic Sales

The District of Columbia Office of People's Counsel has submitted a petition to the PSC to initiate a rulemaking to modify the utility consumer bills of rights (CBOR)

"[T]he CBOR needs to be revised to respond decisively to bad actors among third party energy suppliers who have entered the District energy market through the District government's promotion of customer choice for consumers. These bad actors have engaged in overly aggressive marketing and other business practices that are unlawful, misleading, and deceptive. Some of their actions have been decidedly predatory, targeting vulnerable District populations like senior citizens and low income populations, who enter into service contracts that ultimately increase their energy costs instead of lowering them as promised," OPC said

Most notably, OPC proposes to require that an energy supply contract made pursuant to a telephone solicitation, "shall be reduced to writing and signed by the consumer."

While OPC would not require a wet signature for sales conducted through the internet, OPC would require that the contract be physically mailed to such customer.

OPC proposes to extend the rescission period to 14 days, from the current 3 days.

OPC would also require that all energy supply solicitations include, "in writing", a, "statement that enrollment could impact eligibility for certain low income assistance programs."

OPC would also require that for in-home solicitations, the supplier must "clearly state it is not a representative of any District Utility Company."

Formal Case No. 712