Utility Withdraws Complaint, Says Cannot Identify Retail Market Entity To Name As Responsible For Alleged Misrepresentation

May 21, 2019

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

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Ohio Power Company (AEP Ohio) has withdrawn a complaint filed at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio concerning alleged misrepresentations in the retail energy market, which had originally named as respondents "Energy Advisors", described by AEP Ohio as an Ohio-based LLC with its principal place of business in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as "John Does 1-20", as AEP Ohio now says it, "has been unable to locate the appropriate entity to name in its Complaint."

As exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com (see background here), AEP Ohio had filed a complaint at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio alleging that "Energy Advisors", described by AEP Ohio as an Ohio-based LLC with its principal place of business in Cincinnati Ohio, was engaged in regulated CRES activity without a license, had falsely claimed AEP Ohio's rate was increasing 45%, and used AEP Ohio's logo in a manner that would lead customers to believe that the CRES provider is soliciting on behalf of or is an agent of any entity other than the CRES provider.

As previously reported, Energy Advisors LLC of Cincinnati, Ohio said in a filing with PUCO that the complaint filed by AEP Ohio against the company identified the wrong company as the company engaged in the alleged behavior leading to the complaint, and denied all of the allegations in the complaint

In an answer to the complaint, Energy Advisors LLC denied allegations related to materials listed on a webpage, stating "Energy Advisors LLC does not currently have nor has Energy Advisors LLC ever had a webpage or a toll-free number."

In an answer to the complaint, Energy Advisors LLC stated, "Energy Advisors LLC denies creating or sending a solicitation to AEP customers. The first time Energy Advisors LLC became aware of the solicitation, marked in the complaint as exhibit B, was when Energy Advisors LLC viewed the complaint."

In a May 20 filing, AEP Ohio stated that it has been in contact with representatives of Energy Advisers LLC.

"Upon information and belief, Ohio Power Company agrees that Energy Advisers LLC is not the entity engaging in the practices outlined in the Complaint," AEP Ohio said

"Further, despite extensive efforts, Ohio Power Company has been unable to locate the appropriate entity to name in its Complaint," AEP Ohio said

Accordingly, AEP Ohio withdrew the complaint, without prejudice

Case No. 19-872-EL-CSS

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