Regulator Issues Cease and Desist Order to Retail Supplier

The Connecticut PURA has directed Palmco Power CT, LLC to immediately cease all door-to-door marketing activities until the Authority concludes a review of alleged violations by Palmco, including allegations that a Palmco agent represented themself as from the utility and that a Palmco agent indicated that the customer's electric service was subject to a shut off notice.

PURA said that:

"The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority's (Authority) Consumer Services Unit was recently contacted by The Connecticut Light and Power Company d/b/a Eversource Energy (Eversource) regarding complaints received by Eversource related to Palmco Power LLC's (Palmco) door-to-door marketing efforts. Specifically, two Eversource customers complained that agents of Palmco represented themselves as employees of Eversource Energy, presented Palmco collateral material, and, indicated that the customer's electric service was subject to a shut off notice (see enclosed documentation as provided by Eversource). In addition to the two complaints cited here, the Authority has received 26 complaints regarding Palmco's door-to-door marketing practices since 2012."

PURA noted that, "When any third party agent acts on behalf of, or is compensated by Palmco, that party is a Palmco's legal agent pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-245o(h). When acting on behalf of Palmco, all legal agents of Palmco must make it clear that consumers are dealing with Palmco and not any other company."

"Based on the complaints received, the Authority has reasons to believe that Palmco has engaged in multiple violations of Conn. Gen. Stat. §16-245o(h). Accordingly, Palmco is hereby directed to immediately cease all door-to-door marketing activities until the Authority concludes a review of this matter," PURA said.

"Palmco is prohibited from conducting any door-to-door marketing until approved to do so by the Authority," PURA said.

Palmco provided the following statement to EnergyChoiceMatters.com:

"We take these allegations seriously as excellent customer service and satisfaction are priorities to us. We look forward to fully cooperating with the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to swiftly resolve this issue, while maintaining consistent service to our Connecticut customers.”

Docket 10-01-24RE01