PSC removes residential permission from Utilize LLC license; pending Utilize Services CNI applications sent back for staff–OPC–company discussions

The Public Service Commission on Oct. 1 granted Utilize LLC’s request to remove authorization to serve residential customers from its existing electric broker license and deferred two related pending licensing applications from a related entity, Utilize Services LLC, to allow staff, the Office of People’s Counsel and the company to resolve outstanding consumer‑protection concerns.

Staff told the commission that Utilize LLC is an existing licensee that asked to remove residential customer permission from its license; staff found the company otherwise in good standing and recommended approval. Separate but related applications from Utilize Services LLC — seeking electric and natural‑gas broker licenses for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers — remain pending from filings submitted in February 2023. Staff recommended denial of those pending applications because the company had not fully addressed prior commission concerns about marketing and website materials identified at a 2023 administrative hearing. Staff said some problematic language had been removed from the home page but still appeared deeper in the site. The company said it had made extensive website changes and, after business-model review earlier this year, decided to withdraw from residential service and concentrate on C&I customers. The Office of People’s Counsel supported staff’s recommendation to deny the pending applications but agreed with approving the current license amendment for Utilize LLC (the company that is already licensed) on condition it maintain its bond.

Commissioners asked staff and OPC to meet with the company to try to resolve outstanding marketing and consumer-protection issues before the commission acts on the pending C&I applications. The commission approved the removal of residential permission for Utilize LLC’s electric supplier license; items 11 and 13 (the pending applications for Utilize Services LLC) were set for further discussion among staff, OPC and the company rather than a contested decision at the meeting.