PSC takes supplier license renewal petition under advisement; sets March 15 filing window and considers April 15 initial expiration date

The Public Service Commission on Jan. 8 considered a petition from the Retail Supplier Coalition asking the commission to modify and clarify its Dec. 17 supplier license renewal notice. Staff reviewed the coalition’s filing and proposed that renewals apply only to suppliers licensed to offer residential service, set initial expiration dates no later than March 31 and require renewal applications by March 15. The supplier community urged more time for the initial tranche and proposed an administrative schedule modeled on New Jersey.

Kevin Mosher and PSC staff explained the interplay between the statute enacted in Senate Bill 1 and the administrative schedule. Staff said most suppliers hold licenses covering multiple customer classes and that a streamlined process is possible. The Retail Supplier Coalition’s representative asked that the commission give sufficient time for staff to review potentially hundreds of renewal applications and suggested using an approach tying renewal deadlines to original application dates in the future.

OPC said it does not oppose the Retail Supplier Coalition’s request but supports staff’s proposed deadlines; OPC recommended that a relinquishment of residential authority be handled as an item before the commission when unresolved complaints or outstanding assessments exist.

Commissioners and stakeholders debated whether the filing should be commodity‑specific (electric vs. natural gas) or entity‑wide, and whether brokers and marketers should be treated the same as suppliers that take title. Staff said it envisions renewal tied to each license number but would not object to a single renewal form for a dual‑commodity supplier.

After extended discussion the commission took the matter under advisement and said it would issue written guidance clarifying deadlines and process; commissioners indicated an appetite to set a March 15 application filing date with an April 15 initial expiration date to allow a 30‑day staff review window for the initial tranche, and to delegate limited procedural authority to staff for trivial license relinquishments where no complaints exist.

The commission did not adopt a final rule at the meeting; an administrative order clarifying the renewal process and deadlines will be published soon.