News Stories
Sponsored by Earth Etch. Regulatory insight and compliance solutions for today’s energy markets.
MD PSC Issues Notice Re: SB 1 Supplier Licensing Expirations And Renewal Applications, License Application Forms For Energy Vendors/Salespersons
Excerpts from the Mary Public Service Commission (PSC) Notice:
“To: All Maryland Regulated Gas and Electric Utilities and Retail Gas and Electric Suppliers
“Senate Bill 1 (“SB 1”), enacted after the 2024 Session of the General Assembly and effective July 1, 2024, includes new and amended licensing requirements for electricity and gas salespersons and suppliers, to be implemented and enforced by the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Specifically, Section 4 of SB 1 requires the following:
(1) The licenses of electricity suppliers and gas suppliers that are licensed by the Public Service Commission as of July 1, 2024, shall expire on a staggered basis as determined by the Commission, such that equal numbers of licenses shall expire throughout each of the following three years but not later than June 30, 2027;
(2) The licenses of energy salespersons who are licensed by the Commission on or before June 30, 2027, shall expire on a staggered basis as determined by the Commission, such that equal numbers of licenses shall expire each year; and
(3) All new and renewed licenses for electricity suppliers, gas suppliers, and energy salespersons shall be for a term not exceeding 3 years.
This Notice finalizes the Commission’s decisions regarding staggered supplier license expirations and renewals, as well as the terms and expiration of the new salesperson and vendor licenses. In addition, the Commission also approves the supplier renewal form, as well as the vendor and salesperson license applications recommended by Staff, with certain revisions.1”
“The Commission approves Staff’s proposed staggered license expiration dates for the first one-third of existing electric and gas supplier licenses as listed in Attachment A. The deadline for applying for a three-year license renewal shall be January 15, 2025, with Commission warnings and revocation hearing notices going out on January 3, 2025, to suppliers who have not yet filed renewal applications. Additionally, a designated representative of a licensee shall complete a Commission approved training and educational program prior to the expiration of the license.”
“Staff shall provide a proposed expiration schedule and renewal filing deadlines for all licenses expiring after June 2025. For 2026 and thereafter, the renewal application deadline for expiring supplier licenses shall be January 15.”
“Staff proposed three application forms for Commission approval: (1) the supplier license renewal application, (2) the energy vendor application, and (3) the energy salesperson application. The Commission approves the energy vendor and energy salesperson applications as proposed and approves the supplier license renewal application with revisions. The application forms are included as Attachment B and shall be posted on the Commission website with the ability to be filed online.”
Other highlights include:
- 3-year staggered expiration dates for all existing retail supplier and broker licenses;
- One-third subset of suppliers and brokers, all affected suppliers and brokers must file for renewal of their license by January 15, 2025 – See attachment A for staggering of supplier renewals;
- Supplier/broker renewal application set at $1,000;
- Supplier/Broker training program requirement is approved by the PSC;
- Separate license applications for energy salespersons, and energy vendors;
- Energy salesperson license application must provide $10,000 bond;
- Energy vendor must provide a $5,000 bond; and
- Energy salespersons must undergo fingerprinting
Notice (12/17/2024) (ML# 314293)
Stay tuned for more information!
At most recent commission agenda session, the Commissioners noted that they would take this matter under further advisement.
