NRG Energy Objects To Allegedly "Misleading" Name Of Texas Aggregator

May 16, 2019

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Copyright 2010-19 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

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NRG Energy, Inc. ("NRG"), on its own behalf and on behalf of the retail electric providers ("REPs") and power generation companies ("PGCs") it owns and operates in Texas, filed an objection to the application of CNRG Group, LLC, an entity unaffiliated with NRG, for a Texas electric aggregator certificate

CNRG Group, LLC's application for an aggregator certificate had been exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com

"NRG objects to the approval of CNRG Group's Application and its use of the name 'CNRG' as a registered aggregator because use of the name harms NRG's name and brand and risks confusing and misleading Texas customers," NRG alleged in its filing

"NRG extensively markets its NRG brand in many markets, particularly Texas, and associates the 'NRG' name with its various REPs and PGCs. NRG has invested significantly in its name and brand, and has devoted significant resources to develop goodwill and an association of high service quality with the name 'NRG.' CNRG Group's attempts to register as an Aggregator using the name "CNRG" that closely and unreasonably resembles 'NRG,' adversely affects NRG's name and brand, and threatens to mislead and confuse Texas customers," NRG alleged in its filing

"NRG, over the years, carefully crafted and substantially invested in a name and brand with considerable recognition representing outstanding service and value. NRG has worked hard to gain the trust of its Texas customers through its retail and generation companies operating within the ERCOT market. NRG's subsidiaries rely upon that resulting goodwill, associated with NRG's name, in marketing to customers. To permit an unaffiliated Class 1 aggregator to join customers together and negotiate on their behalf with the misleading name 'CNRG' would cause confusion for those customers as they may erroneously believe that CNRG is an affiliate of NRG. Moreover, granting CNRG's application would potentially devalue the NRG name and brand and risk possible negative associations by Texas customers with the NRG name and brand for any shortfalls of the CNRG Group. Further, the use of the name 'CNRG' is contrary to the intent of 16 TAC § 25.111, the customer protection rules and marketing guidelines, which prohibit an aggregator from engaging in misleading practices," NRG alleged in its filing

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