Regulator Objects to Supplier's Use of Phrase "More And More People" Are Choosing Electricity Price Protection Programs

Summitt Energy Management Inc. has agreed to remove from its promotional materials statements relating to consumer enrollment trends for retail energy products that cannot be independently verified and appropriately sourced, under an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance accepted by the Ontario Energy Board

According to the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance Summitt Energy's "MyRate Energy" website statement "falsely" claimed that, "more and more people are choosing electricity price protection programs," without providing any supporting verification.

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance also states that Summitt Energy's MyRate Energy site said that nearly half of Ontario homes are enrolled in natural gas price protection programs, which the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance says is incorrect, while another statement "falsely" guaranteed savings (owing to the fact that the organization is Canadian owned and operated).

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance also states that Summitt Energy did not disclose or explain the global adjustment in certain materials.

Summitt Energy has taken corrective measures under the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, including removing all statements from its marketing materials that cannot be independently verified and appropriately sourced, including statements relating to consumer enrollment trends on retail energy products and statements alluding to savings that can be achieved by consumers upon entering into a contract.