Connecticut Draft Would Accept Settlement with Retail Supplier Concerning Investigation

A draft Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority decision would approve a settlement between PURA Prosecutorial Staff and Public Power, LLC to resolve an investigation of certain customer complaints and alleged unauthorized switches.

The settlement had been proposed last year and first reported by Matters (see prior story for details on investigation, relating to service from 2011 and earlier)

Under the settlement, Public Power volunteered to make a charitable contribution in the amount of $6,000 to Operation Fuel, Inc. in lieu of an Authority finding of a civil penalty or any statutory violation by the company. The settlement also recognizes that Public Power provided nearly $42,000 in customer credits to satisfy customer complaints concerning the rate charged by Public Power.

The draft order would accept the settlement as filed.

The draft notes that Public Power has improved its training requirements for sales agents by requiring additional training sessions. "These additional sessions will contain comprehensive reviews of marketing guidelines, quality control, customer service and compliance procedures. Public also provided changes to its third party verification system that it believes will improve customer service and reduce the potential for customer complaints. These measures outlined by Public represent a positive action by the Company to address the significant increase in complaints," the draft notes.

Docket 11-10-06