Further, section 111.7 requires suppliers to verify all sales conducted by or telemarketing agents. This verification has to be separate from the sales transaction process, with the customer having the right to have it performed without the sales agent being present. Suppliers have to retain the verification record for at least six billing cycles and provide the verification to the Commission upon request in case of a subsequent dispute. This verification process appears to be an effective mechanism for helping minimize slamming disputes and makes addressing any slamming disputes easier. Additionally, we have recently revised the NGS disclosure regulations in Chapter 62 to make pricing information especially for variable products more transparent and – – understandable. Further, the revised regulation no longer requires the NGS to place NGDC information (contact information, universal service information, etc.) on the disclosure something that was possibly causing consumers to confuse the NGS with the – NGDC. The revised regulations also require that a plain-language contract summary accompany the disclosure with the expectation being that consumers are more likely to – read a brief simple summary than an entire disclosure. Finally, in another Natural Gas RMI initiative, the Commission directed to develop and implement an NGDC-NGS Bill.” The Bill” is intended to make “Joint “Joint NGS billing information more prominent on the NGDC bill in effect creating a bill that – looks as if it comes from both the NGDC and the NGS (this is obviously only for consumers who are billed for both NGDC and NGS services on the NGDC consolidated bill, which is the case for most residential consumers). This includes placing the NGS logo on the bill. The intent is to make it very apparent to the consumer that their supply service is being provided by an NGS. Along with strengthening the connection between the consumer and the NGS, this heightened visibility of NGS information also helps guard against the possibility of the customer being served by an NGS they did not choose. The fact that the customer is receiving service from an NGS and the identity of the NGS is apparent simply by glancing at the bill.
Further, section 111.7 requires suppliers to verify all sales conducted by or telemarketing agents. This verification has to be separate from the sales transaction process, with the customer having the right to have it performed without the sales agent being present. Suppliers have to retain the verification record for at least six billing cycles and provide the verification to the Commission upon request in case of a subsequent dispute. This verification process appears to be an effective mechanism for helping minimize slamming disputes and makes addressing any slamming disputes easier. Additionally, we have recently revised the NGS disclosure regulations in Chapter 62 to make pricing information – especially for variable products – more transparent and understandable. Further, the revised regulation no longer requires the NGS to place NGDC information (contact information, universal service information, etc.) on the disclosure – something that was possibly causing consumers to confuse the NGS with the NGDC. The revised regulations also require that a plain-language contract summary accompany the disclosure – with the expectation being that consumers are more likely to read a brief simple summary than an entire disclosure. Finally, in another Natural Gas RMI initiative, the Commission directed to develop and implement an NGDC-NGS “Joint Bill.” The “Joint Bill” is intended to make NGS billing information more prominent on the NGDC bill – in effect creating a bill that looks as if it comes from both the NGDC and the NGS (this is obviously only for consumers who are billed for both NGDC and NGS services on the NGDC consolidated bill, which is the case for most residential consumers). This includes placing the NGS logo on the bill. The intent is to make it very apparent to the consumer that their supply service is being provided by an NGS. Along with strengthening the connection between the consumer and the NGS, this heightened visibility of NGS information also helps guard against the possibility of the customer being served by an NGS they did not choose. The fact that the customer is receiving service from an NGS and the identity of the NGS is apparent simply by glancing at the bill.
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