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Retail Supplier Loses Ability to Serve Customers; Mass Transition to Default Service Executed

February 22, 2013

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Copyright 2010-13 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

PNE Energy Supply, "is no longer able to purchase electric energy for its customers," prompting a transition of customers to default service, the New Hampshire PUC announced in a posting on its website and advisory to customers.

PNE Energy Supply had previously sold a number of its customers to FairPoint Energy; however, PNE Energy Supply lost its ability to serve customers prior to the transition of all accounts to FairPoint Energy being completed, according to the PUC. New Hampshire Business Review reports that PNE Energy Supply's ability to transact in ISO New England was suspended for financial reasons.

The PUC informed customers:

"[E]vents have occurred which prevent PNE from continuing to provide electric energy supply to you during the transition to FairPoint Energy. As a result, your account may have been transferred to PSNH's default service. Default service is available in situations like this to act as a safety net to ensure customers' lights do not go out when their supplier, in this case PNE Energy Supply, is no longer able to purchase electric energy for its customers."

The PUC's undated announcement (though the URL suggests that it was uploaded Feb. 21) posted on its website states that, as a result of the drop to default service, customers will no longer be automatically transferred to FairPoint Energy if the switch had not been completed prior to the drop to default service.

"What does this mean to you? For all but about 1200 of PNE Energy Supply's former customers, electric energy service is now being provided to you by PSNH. Your account will not be automatically transferred to FairPoint Energy. To change the provider of your electric energy supply, you must affirmatively select a new competitive electric energy supplier. Please be aware that the change to a new supplier may take up to two billing cycles to complete."

In contrast, the New Hampshire Business Review indicated that customers would still be automatically transferred to FairPoint Energy after a period on default service.

"The Commission is investigating the circumstances of PNE Energy Supply's inability to continue to serve its customers," the PUC said.

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