Proposed Workplan for Subgroup "D" Report, and Issues #1 and #2 are scheduled for discussion today.
Jim Solberg, SPURR/REMAC, presented his proposal for implementation of Direct Access. No discussion; for review by parties and possible discussion at a later date.
Distributed for discussion a Proposed Workplan for production of an August 30 Consumer Protection and Education Report. Workplan was generally acceptable, but needs specific editorial and review processes with dates.
Four lists of Consumer Principles were distributed and discussed. These lists were more or less combined to produce the following list of topics, each of which is to be expanded upon:
1. Right to know
2. Choice
3. Fair dealing
4. Redress
5. Privacy
6. Participation in policy making
7. Access to quality service
8. Code of conduct/oversight
9. Lowest possible transaction costs
10. Affordability
These principles are to apply to both competitive and monopoly functions (if possible).
The topics were expanded as follows:
1. Right to know
a. Information and educational materials (funding...?)
b. Informed choice (service, price, terms)
c. Accessible information (incl. multi-lingual, low cost)
d. Reliable information
e. Provider track record (complaints, legitimate business, etc.)
Information must be comparable and not overwhelming or confusing.
2. Choice
a. Fair, non-discriminatory access
b. Individual or collective choice
(Michael Shames and Carl Silsbee to work on this topic for next meeting))
3. Fair dealing
a. Verification
b. Responsiveness (?)
4. Redress (of complaints)
a. Prompt
b. Efficient
c. Affordable
5. Privacy
a. Consumer control of personal information
b. Expectation of pertinent use of information
c. Control over solicitation methods (?? not decided)
(To be revisited in discussion on Issue #2, Consumer Privacy, at next meeting.)
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6. Participation in policymaking
a. Continued vehicles for consumer participation
7. Access to quality service
a. Choice of differentiated levels of service
(Not decided -- no consensus.)
8. Code of conduct/oversight
a. A code of conduct should be established for service providers
b. Needs to be oversight of providers
c. No false or misleading advertising
(Also handled by Subgroup "B", Market Rules.)
9. Transaction costs
a. Minimize unnecessary transition costs imposed upon consumer
10. Affordable service
Michael Shames/Susan Brown/Lorenzo Kristov will draft updates for discussion and resolution at next meeting on May 31.
Defer Consumer Privacy issue (#2) to next meeting.
Privacy draft(s) to be posted to DRA website (to SFC or JEP@cpuc.ca.gov) by May 23, if possible; nlt May 28.
Send to Sidney Jubien by May 23 material on Registration & Oversight for mailing to Subgroup "D" parties.
Handle Issues #2 and #3 at May 31 meeting.
Defer creation of an editorial committee until something more concrete is at hand.
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