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PURA denies American Electric Rates' application for electric aggregator certificate
Summary
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority denied American Electric Rates LLC's application for an electric aggregator certificate after staff found the company acted as an agent for suppliers rather than representing customers, citing compensation and contract terms.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on March 12 denied the application of American Electric Rates LLC (AER) for an electric aggregator certificate of registration in Docket 241010, concluding the company functions as an agent for suppliers rather than as a representative of customers.
Authority staff attorney Janelle McGregory told the panel that AER filed its application on Oct. 2, 2024 under a provision of Connecticut law governing aggregator registration. McGregory said the authority conducted an uncontested proceeding and delegated review to the Office of Education Outreach and Enforcement until staff filed a proposed final decision.
McGregory explained that, to qualify as an electric aggregator, an applicant must demonstrate that it will represent electric consumers and not suppliers. She said the record showed AER had ongoing contracts and compensation arrangements with suppliers and that its business model and website indicate supplier-directed activity. McGregory summarized the agency's findings: "A company may not simultaneously be a supplier's agent and a licensed aggregator," and the record demonstrates AER is paid fees by suppliers and does not issue contracts to customers or engage directly with customers in the enrollment process.
The presentation noted that AER's website requires customers to enter information and self-enroll without AER interaction, and that the company is compensated by suppliers rather than by customers — factors the authority views as evidence of an agency relationship with suppliers. The transcript records staff citing statutory guidance that aggregators generally must be compensated by customers and that supplier-paid fees can indicate agency with a supplier; the decision therefore denied AER's application.
The panel moved, seconded and adopted the decision on the authority staff's recommendation. The meeting record does not show AER representatives appearing or presenting oral argument during the proceeding as recorded in this session.
Ending: The adoption resolves Docket 241010 by denying AER's applicantion; the decision is final for the authority's regular calendar and includes staff's findings regarding contracts, compensation, and the aggregator definition.
