Regulatory Compliance Services

07/13/2020

Back in the home studio today working on our latest online training topic - broker rules! Coming Soon!

02/07/2020

This is not good...

Hidalgo County is warning its citizens about people who are posing as county employees, visiting homes and encouraging homeowners to switch energy providers. There have been numerous reports of fraudulent activity, according to a news release from Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez’s office. “T...

10/21/2019

The Austin American Statesman is running a series of articles looking at electricity disconnections in the state. The series began on Sunday October 20th.

Sunday’s article: https://gatehousenews.com/hostagetoheat/texas-heat-summer-temperatures-electricity-power-cut-off/site/statesman.com

Monday’s articles: https://gatehousenews.com/hostagetoheat/electricity-cutoffs-dangerous-critically-chronically-ill/site/statesman.com/

Another Monday article: https://gatehousenews.com/hostagetoheat/prepaid-utility-plans-leave-some-customers-without-electricity/site/statesman.com/

About the series: https://gatehousenews.com/hostagetoheat/about-the-story/site/statesman.com/

A GateHouse Media analysis shows that more than 100 Texans died of heat-related causes inside their homes over the past decade. Many were rationing their electricity in an attempt to avoid massive summertime bills.

09/24/2019

Broker Registration Update
Project timeline for the rules has been sketched out by staff:

Strawman released: 9/17/2019
Strawman comments due: 9/30/2019
Proposal for Publication discussed: 11/17/2019 Open Meeting
Proposal for Adoption discussed: 1/31/2020 Open Meeting

Read staff’s strawman here:

05/17/2018

What does my "work" look like on some days? Here's what I'm up to today...shooting a training video...Love the magic of a green screen!

09/26/2017

Thoughts on PURA 17.007(c)

With initial comments in project 47343 filed yesterday, I have been reading them with interest. I also read the story (link below) and have some thoughts to share.

http://www.retailenergyx.com/sy.cfm/4320/Under-Broad-SB1976-Reading-Texas-PUC-Can-t-Prohibit-REPs-From-Disconnecting-Non-Pay-Customers-Ever

While some may make the argument that all customer protections for which a REP is not reimbursed could be called into question by the language found in PURA 17.007(c), I would note that the other language in PURA 39.101 requires the extreme weather protections and that the rules maintain the same level of protections that existed prior to deregulation. On that note, I would urge all parties to remember to read all provisions of PURA.

Organizations representing Texas retail electric providers filed comments concerning a strawman proposal filed by PUCT Staff which would eliminate several customer protections currently in the substantive rules for customers who were eligible for the prior Lite-Up Texas discount program (funded by t...

03/02/2017

Door to Door training has been updated - http://your-rcs.com/wordpress/2017/03/02/door-to-door-training-has-been-updated/

We have been busy updating our online training to incorporate the new rules related to the use of Portable Electronic Devices for residential door to door sales.  Check out the updated training deck over on our training website:  http://yourrcs.litmos....

11/22/2016

A Precedent-setting Switch-old Settlement - http://your-rcs.com/wordpress/2016/11/22/a-precedent-setting-switch-old-settlement/

Read the press about NRG's settlement with PUCT staff related to alleged switch-hold violations.  Clearly, the issue surrounds when exactly a switch-hold must be removed.  As the settlement states, the rules require the following with respect to removal...

09/30/2016

Switch-hold Compliance Reviews Continue - http://your-rcs.com/wordpress/2016/09/30/switch-hold-compliance-reviews-continue/

As many of you are aware, the PUCT Enforcement Section initiated compliance reviews last year of all REPs to assess compliance with several items:  switch-hold regulations (particularly related to releasing switch-holds), enrollment websites, and print...

05/03/2016

Centerpoint paying fine for switch-hold violations - http://your-rcs.com/wordpress/2016/05/02/centerpoint-paying-fine-for-switch-hold-violations/

I should also note that Centerpoint has agreed to pay a fine of $60,000 for violating the rules related to releasing switch-holds.  Again, it is good to see the PUCT hold TDUs equally accountable for violations that directly affect retail service. Read...

05/03/2016

Oncor is paying a fine, and it's not for service quality... - http://your-rcs.com/wordpress/2016/05/02/oncor-is-paying-a-fine-and-its-not-for-service-quality/

Finally, the PUCT seems to be getting serious about enforcing the rules that TDUs are to follow.  In this instance Oncor has agreed to pay a $700,000 to settle allegations that it was estimating meter reads beyond the allowed 3 consecutive months.  This...