4422053 General Docket No. 117, In the Matter ofthe Petition of the Office of the People'sCounsel for an Investigation into theBusiness Practices of Alternative EnergySuppliers in the District of Columbia
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PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
1333 H STREET, N.W., 2nd FLOOR, WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
NOTICE OF COMMISSION HEARING
GENERAL DOCKET NO. 117, IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF THE OFFICE OF THE PEOPLE’S COUNSEL FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BUSINESS PRACTICES OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SUPPLIERS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (“Commission”) announces a public hearing on July 12, 2013 at 10 a.m. at the Commission’s office to receive information and comment on a number of issues related to the marketing and sales practices of retail suppliers, marketers and brokers serving residential and commercial electricity and natural gas customers in the District.
Pursuant to the Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999 and the Retail Natural Gas Supplier Licensing and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, the Commission has an obligation to facilitate the development of competitive electricity and natural gas supply markets in the District of Columbia. Under these laws customers may choose the supplier from whom they purchase electricity and natural gas. There are currently 117 electricity suppliers, marketers and brokers and 51 natural gas suppliers, marketers and brokers that are licensed by the Commission to sell electricity and/or natural gas in the District. The Commission does not regulate the prices charged by the retail electricity or natural gas suppliers. However, in implementing customer choice of energy supplier, the Commission has, pursuant to law, promulgated regulations regarding the licensing of retail suppliers, marketers and brokers; their business practices; and consumer protection.
The Commission has recently received a significant increase in questions, comments, and complaints, primarily from residential customers, about the marketing and sales practices of some retail energy suppliers, marketers and brokers. The Commission has also received a petition from the Office of the People’s Counsel requesting that the Commission open an investigation into the business practices of retail energy suppliers. Before ruling on OPC’s petition, the Commission is holding this public hearing to receive further information and comments from the Office of the People’s Counsel, the retail energy supply industry, and business and residential customers regarding the following areas of interest:
· The recent experiences of consumers with alternative energy suppliers, marketers and brokers who are soliciting their business, including, but not limited to;
o The marketing techniques that have been used to solicit their business that have generated consumer concerns;
o Their experience when changing from an existing supplier to a new supplier or when changing from a new supplier back to a former supplier;
o Billing practices or contract terms that have been used or offered that have generated any consumer concerns; and
o The effectiveness of the dispute resolution process that has been offered if any disputes have arisen with respect to any transaction with an alternative energy supplier, marketer, or broker.
· Practices and steps taken by retail energy suppliers, marketers and brokers licensed in the District of Columbia to ensure that prospective and existing customers receive:
o Energy product materials in a clear and understandable language (including, where appropriate, in multi-lingual languages);
o Accurate price and usage information that is expressed in simple and straightforward terms;
o Terms and conditions written in plain language that set forth contractual obligations for both the customer and the retail energy supplier, marketer, or broker;
o Specific and verifiable information about monthly bill savings claimed in any offer;
o Clear and understandable information about how they may terminate a service contract and any early termination charges or other consequences of such action;
o Advance specific notification of the end of a contract term and price changes or other changes in terms and conditions associated with automatic renewal of a contract;
o Accurate information on the prices and terms and conditions for any alternative options offered by the energy supplier, marketer, or broker to customers with expiring contracts;
o Clear written identification from the energy supplier, marketer, or broker that it is independent of the public utility delivering electricity or natural gas;
o Clear and understandable information about the billing and service complaint resolution process; and
o Educational materials about energy efficiency, energy conservation and other means to manage their energy usage
· Explanation of enrollment processes, verification methods, and record retention for customers’ acceptance of a product offer, contract renewal, and contract revisions that are being used in the District of Columbia.
· Voluntary efforts and best practices by retail energy suppliers, marketers and brokers to protect consumer rights.
· Suggested revisions to the Commission’s existing consumer protection regulations (15 DCMR §§ 327.1 - 327.54 (2008): Customer Protection Standards Applicable to Energy Suppliers) that will improve customer protection and which may facilitate greater public availability and understanding of competitive energy supply options;
The public hearing will convene at 10:00 A.M., on July 12, 2013 in the Commission’s Hearing Room. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing should have their names placed on the witness list by contacting the Office of the Commission Secretary by telephone at (202) 626-5150, or in writing at the above address by no later than June 28, 2013.
