Commission on Electric
Utility Regulation

RECOMMENDATION OF CONSUMER ADVISORY BOARD

MARKETING OF "GREEN POWER"

§ 56-592. Consumer education and protection; Commission report to Legislative Task Force.

A. The Commission shall develop a consumer education program designed to provide the following information to retail customers during the period of transition to retail competition and thereafter:

1. Opportunities and options in choosing (i) suppliers and aggregators of electric energy and (ii) any other service made competitive pursuant to this chapter;

2. Marketing and billing information suppliers and aggregators of electric energy will be required to furnish retail customers;

3. Retail customers' rights and obligations concerning the purchase of electric energy and related services; and

4. Such other information as the Commission may deem necessary and appropriate in the public interest.

B. The Commission shall complete the development of the consumer education program described in subsection A, and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Transition Task Force on or before December 1, 1999, and as frequently thereafter as may be required by the Task Force concerning:

1. The scope of such recommended program consistent with the requirements of subsection A;

2. Materials and media required to effectuate any such program;

3. State agency and nongovernmental entity participation;

4. Program duration;

5. Funding requirements and mechanisms for any such program; and

6. Such other findings and recommendations the Commission deems appropriate in the public interest.

C. The Commission shall develop regulations governing marketing practices by public service companies, licensed suppliers, aggregators or any other providers of services made competitive by this chapter, including regulations to prevent unauthorized switching of suppliers, unauthorized charges, and improper solicitation activities. The Commission shall also establish standards for marketing information to be furnished by licensed suppliers, aggregators or any other providers of services made competitive by this chapter during the period of transition to retail competition, and thereafter, which information shall include standards concerning:

1. Pricing and other key contract terms and conditions;

2. To the extent feasible, fuel mix and emissions data on at least an annualized basis;

3. Customer's rights of cancellation following execution of any contract;

4. Toll-free telephone number for customer assistance; and

5. Such other and further marketing information as the Commission may deem necessary and appropriate in the public interest.

D. The Commission shall also establish standards for billing information to be furnished by public service companies, suppliers, aggregators or any other providers of services made competitive by this chapter during the period of transition to retail competition, and thereafter. Such billing information standards shall require that billing formation:

1. Distinguishes between charges for regulated services and unregulated services;

2. Itemizes any and all nonbypassable wires charges;

3. Is presented in a format that complies with standards to be established by the Commission;

4. Discloses, to the extent feasible, fuel mix and emissions data on at least an annualized basis; and

5. Includes such other billing information as the Commission deems necessary and appropriate in the public interest.

E. The Commission shall establish or maintain a complaint bureau for the purpose of receiving, reviewing and investigating complaints by retail customers against public service companies, licensed suppliers, aggregators and other providers of any services made competitive under this chapter. Upon the request of any interested person or the Attorney General, or upon its own motion, the Commission shall be authorized to inquire into possible violations of this chapter and to enjoin or punish any violations thereof pursuant to its authority under this chapter, this title, and under Title 12.1. The Attorney General shall have a right to participate in such proceedings consistent with the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure.

F. The Commission shall establish reasonable limits on customer security deposits required by public service companies, suppliers, aggregators or any other persons providing competitive services pursuant to this chapter.

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