Competitive Retail Electric Service Provider Certification

Applications and Filing Instructions

In order to supply Competitive Retail Electric Service (CRES), all providers are required to become certified by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Click here to see the Certification Report. The information one must file, however, differs depending on the type of CRES that the applicant will provide. For example, a Power Marketer applicant will not file the same information as an Aggregator. The summary below of CRES provider definitions should help applicants determine which application form to use.

There are three application forms to choose from including an Aggregator/Power Broker form, a Governmental Aggregator form, and a Generation Provider and Power Marketer  form.

• Aggregation - combining the electric load of multiple retail customers through an agreement with the customers or formation of a governmental aggregation pursuant to Section 4928.20 of the Revised Code for the purpose of purchasing retail electric generation service on an aggregated basis.
• Aggregator - a person who contracts with customers to combine the customers' electric load for the purpose of purchasing retail electric generation service on an aggregated basis. The term does not include a governmental aggregator.
• Governmental Aggregator - the legislative authority of a municipal corporation,  the board of township trustees of a township, or a board of county commissioners of a county that aggregates the citizens of a municipal corporation, township, or unincorporated areas of a county in accordance with Section 4928.20 of the Revised Code for the purpose of purchasing retail electric generation service on an aggregated basis.
• Power Broker - a person who assumes the contractual and legal responsibility for the sale and/or arrangement for the supply of retail electric generation service to a retail customer without taking title to the power supplied.
• Power Marketer - a person who assumes the contractual and legal responsibility for the sale and provision of retail electric generation service to a retail customer who had title to the electric power provided at some point during the transaction.

The Commission's Official Certification Applications and Instructions are listed below. To avoid delays in obtaining a certificate, each applicant should carefully review the Certification Rules before applying. Before contacting customers, providers should also review the CRES rules.

CRES Certification Renewal Dates

CRES Certification Applications

• Competitive Retail Electric Generation Providers and Power Marketers Application Form   
• Aggregators/Power Brokers Application Form   
• Governmental Aggregators Application Form  

CRES Abandonment Applications

• Abandonment Application For CRES Providers With Existing Customers   
• Abandonment Application For CRES Providers With No Existing Customers  

CRES Renewal Applications

• Renewal Application for Retail Generation Providers and Power Marketers  
• Renewal Application for Aggregators/Power Brokers   
• Renewal Application for Governmental Aggregators