Broker Asks PUC To Forgo Collection Of Assessments Due To Coronavirus, In-Person Marketing Suspension

Buckeye Energy Brokers, Inc. filed with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio a request that PUCO forgo collection of an annual fiscal assessment through the Commission's web-based filing system known as the PUCO Community, effective immediately.

Buckeye Energy Brokers noted PUCO's recent order to suspend in-person marketing by retail energy suppliers and agents

"Suspending in-person marketing activities will bring extreme hardship to the industry. The order in response to Governor DeWine's state of emergency for the coronavirus reaches above and beyond the definition of close contact, about six feet, in his Executive Order 2020-01D. The indefinite nature of this order and far from an appropriate temporary procedure to implement as an alleviation of this public health threat," Buckeye Energy Brokers noted

"[T]he indefinite suspension of in-person energy marketing would create unacceptable long-term hardships on the competitive supplier industry," Buckeye Energy Brokers said

"Since the order to suspend in person and door-to-door energy marketing creates a hardship outside the Governor's Order, the PUCO's reporting fees cannot be reasonably expected to be collected if this order is implemented. O.R.C. 4905.10(A) sets a minimum assessment of $100 per company at this time, which we request should be waived in response to the economic impact of the state of emergency and suspension of in-person energy marketing," Buckeye Energy Brokers said