Gardner Warns Suppliers License Suspension Will Remain Remedy in Pennsylvania for Bad Actors

Fines may not be sufficient to prevent bad actors in the competitive retail market from continuing to engage in such activity, Pennsylvania PUC Commissioner Wayne Gardner told the National Energy Marketers Association Restructuring Conference.

Gardner said that, especially for suppliers who have a history of violations in other states, fines may not sufficiently protect Pennsylvania customers, should that same supplier violate Pennsylvania regulations.

In cases where suppliers have a history of violations across several states, license suspension is the only option, Gardner said.

Gardner cited, in particular, a history of misleading advertisements and "high pressure" sales tactics to senior citizens as warranting license suspension, should such violations occur in Pennsylvania.