PUC Initiates Rulemaking To Review Natural Gas Supplier Licensing

The Public Utility Commission Friday initiated a rulemaking to examine the regulations regarding natural gas supplier licensing requirements.
            “Due to the non-compulsory nature of licensing such entities and the amount of direct interaction these entities have with retail customers, combined with the fact that the licensed marketing services consultants and/or nontraditional marketers may gain a competitive edge or perceived higher level of credibility over other unlicensed entities providing the same types of services, I believe that now is the time to conduct a review of the Commission’s regulations outlining the licensing requirements for natural gas suppliers,” said Commissioner Pamela A. Witmer in a motion.
            The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the motion which begins the rulemaking process to review the NGS licensing requirements and existing exemptions for marketing services consultants and nontraditional marketers at 52 Pa. Code Sections 62.101-102. Commission Vice Chairman John F. Coleman Jr. issued a statement concurring in result only.
            The current Commission regulations generally require all NGS to obtain a license from the PUC in order to offer service. “Marketing service consultants” and “nontraditional marketers” have been exempted from these requirements. Some marketing service consultants and nontraditional marketers still apply for licenses, despite the fact that they are not required to do so.
            To date, the Commission’s practice has been to issue licenses to such entities if they meet the financial and technical requirements to obtain a license.
            The Commission will issue a proposed rulemaking for comment within 90 days of the entry of the Commission order.


10/17/2011

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