Maryland Public Service Commission creates Compliance and Enforcement Unit

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) announced Tuesday that it created a Compliance and Enforcement Unit within its Consumer Affairs Division (CAD).

With the creation of the unit, the PSC aims to enable more proactive oversight of utilities and third-party energy suppliers to ensure compliance with its regulations and speed up the resolution of complaints filed by utility customers. The Commission noted that the CAD investigated nearly 2,700 complaints last year against utilities and energy suppliers.

The new unit’s responsibilities will include identifying and tracking violation patterns, monitoring supplier marketing practices, conducting investigations and compliance audits, providing retail supplier training, and supporting customer education regarding utility and energy supplier practices and other issues.

“The Commission takes its oversight of utilities and retail suppliers very seriously,” Commission Chairman Jason M. Stanek said. “We have made it a priority to ensure that customer rights are protected and that utility companies and suppliers are in full compliance with the Commission’s regulations and Maryland law.”

The PSC noted that it has increased its enforcement and oversight of retail energy suppliers in recent months and recently began posting energy supplier complaint data on its website.