Generally, A.I.M. believes that the proposed regulations will provide adequate protections for customers. These proposed regulations are comparable, in part, to the electric industry regulations but differ from such regulations where differences in the natural gas industry require such distinctions. The insertion of a rescission right in the Electric Industry Restructuring Act and later Department regulations was to give customers, who had never purchased electricity from a competitive supplier, the ability to change their minds. The Legislature understood that choosing a supplier for electricity, which is considered a necessary commodity, is a very serious decision, as in choosing a gas supplier. The Legislature believed that a customer with no experience in such an important transaction should have the ability to rescind his or her affirmative choice of a supplier.
Circumstances are somewhat different in the natural gas industry.
In short, not all gas customers require such protection. This size difference creates a serious problem related to the effects of the proposed regulations. This is not only unfair but contrary to the Legislature's intent when it drafted the right to rescind provision. The Department should assure that all customers are treated fairly and equitably. In conclusion, A.I.M. requests that the threshold be raised to 7000 therms.