The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has adopted emergency rules that would require the state’s licensed marketers to meet more stringent financial qualifications. The rules, approved this week by the Commission and submitted to the Illinois secretary of state, take effect March 1, when the systemwide customer choice program by Nicor Gas is scheduled to begin.

Similar to ICC rules for competitive electric suppliers, the Certification of Alternative Gas Suppliers (Part 551) would require a bond of $150,000 to be posted and a line of credit or similar proof of credibility maintained. Marketers also have to provide itemized billing statements clearly describing the prices, terms and conditions of the service being offered, and would have to provide financial statements indicating their creditworthiness.

Marketing materials that make statements concerning prices, terms and conditions of service have to contain information that adequately discloses the prices, term and conditions of the products or services that the alternative gas supplier is offering or selling to the customer, under the rules. Also, before a customer is switched from another supplier, the alternative gas supplier has to give the customer written information that discloses in plain language the terms, prices and conditions of the products and services being offered and sold to the customer.

Final rules could be promulgated within 60 days, depending on the hearing process. For further information, go to the ICC web site at www.icc.state.il.us/icc/home/wn.asp and click on “Natural Gas: Code Part 551.”

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