Accent Energy to Pay $5,000 to Resolve Complaint-Based Investigation

Accent Energy, LP, d/b/a Dynowatt would pay $5,000 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve an investigation conducted by the Commission's Oversight and Enforcement Division.

Specifically, Staff alleged that Accent Energy was not in full compliance with the following:

a. P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.479(b)(4), relating to enrollment via the internet. Staff alleged that Accent charged some customers a fee for having the bills sent via regular mail. Accent voluntarily provided a refund of the fee to affected customers.

b. P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.479(c)(1)(Q), relating to bill content. Staff alleged that Accent, "failed to provide notification of a change in the customer's prices or charges due to the operation of a variable rate future". Accent disagrees with Staff's interpretation of the rule, but took corrective action to ensure compliance.

c. P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.480(d)(3), relating to overbilling. Under complaint CP2011080082, Staff alleged that Accent failed to apply interest to a refund issued after three billing cycles for overbilling.

d. P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.480(e)(1), relating to under billing by a REP. Under complaint CP2011070345, Staff alleged that Accent attempted to collect a fee 180 days after the issuance of the invoice in which the fee should have appeared.

e. P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.480(e)(5), relating to under billing. Staff alleged that Accent made an adjustment for a prior billing cycle without identifying the account and billing date or service period.

Prior to settlement of this matter, Accent took corrective actions proposed by Staff to remedy the alleged violations.