Texas Denies Interim Relief in Complaint Against CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. Broker Website

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has denied interim relief sought by retail electric providers regarding REPs' complaint filed against the operation of a mass market shopping website run by CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc.

As first reported by Matters, REPs had sought an order from the PUCT requiring broker CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. to cease and desist operation of its retail shopping website, myTrueCost.com, until the Commission rules on a request for a declaratory order from the retail providers regarding the use of the CenterPoint Energy name on the site. The REPs have sought an order from the PUCT finding that broker CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc.'s operation of the online shopping portal makes it a competitive affiliate of electric utility CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, and thus implicates several PURA and Substantive Rule prohibitions on affiliate conduct (Docket 40636).

PUCT Staff had filed comments that the REPs' request for interim relief had not been justified, and consistent with Staff's recommendation, the Commission denied the REPs' request for interim relief that CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc. be ordered to cease and desist operation of the retail shopping website.