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PSC Closes Investigation of Retail Supplier, Noting Decrease in Complaints and Finding Insufficient Evidence To Pursue Formal Complaint

January 5, 2016

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Copyright 2010-16 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

The Delaware PSC recently closed an investigation into the solicitation practices of Starion Energy PA, Inc., noting a decrease in complaints and stating that the PSC found, "that insufficient evidence exists at this time to pursue a formal complaint against Starion for any alleged improper solicitation activities in the State of Delaware."

The investigation had resulted from a spike of complaints against Starion in late December 2012, many of which had alleged that sales agents had represented themselves as from Delmarva of the Delaware Electric Co-op. Such calls were attributed to a third-party vendor Starion was using at that time for telemarketing. In listening to a dozen calls conducted by the vendor, Starion reported that it found no instances of the vendor representing themselves as Delmarva Power in such calls

A PSC Staff report noted that the vendor had not obtained a broker license, which Staff noted all brokers are required to do (suggesting that a telemarketing vendor's activities on behalf of a supplier amount to brokering). Starion Energy ceased use of the vendor.

After the initial spike in complaints in December 2012, and after various agencies addressed concerns with Starion, PSC Staff received only fourteen complaints between January 3, 2013 and August 14, 2014 regarding Starion. The Delaware Public Advocate began handling consumer complaints in November 2014 and reports that no complaints have been received regarding Starion.

"Based on the lack of sufficient evidence; resolution of the previous complaints; and absence of complaints over the last twelve months," a Staff report recommended closure of the investigation into Starion, which the PSC adopted.

"Our finding does not preclude us from taking any future action if we receive any additional complaints about Starion or if we are presented with additional facts regarding Starion's conduct or any alleged violations of Delaware laws, rules, regulations, orders, or other applicable laws committed by Starion," the PSC said

Docket 395-13

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