New York PSC Launches Investigation Into "Prominent" Retail Supplier

The New York PSC announced that the Department's Consumer Advocate, "is conducting a detailed investigation into Ambit Energy, one of the largest competitive energy companies in the State."

"The investigation was prompted by a noticeable spike in customer complaints in recent months filed against Ambit, primarily over higher-than-expected charges on electricity bills," the PSC said.

"Ambit is cooperating in the investigation," the PSC said.

"Department staff has already determined that some customers may not have received proper notification at the end of their contract term and in other cases the company may not have calculated the rebates to guaranteed savings customers accurately," said Audrey Zibelman, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Public Service.

"The staff also has concerns over the apparent lack of renewal notices, customer disclosure statements, as well as Ambit's practice of moving people off the guaranteed-savings plan into a variable rate plan that had significantly higher rates than the utility," the PSC said.

RetailEnergyX.com had previously reported that Ambit had already made certain refunds to customers in response to informal discussion with the PSC

An Ambit Energy representative provided the following statement to EnergyChoiceMatters.com:

"Last month, Ambit Energy staff met with the New York Department of Public Service (DPS) to explain how it calculates savings from its Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP). The conversation expanded to include a discussion of the complaints the DPS received in 2014 and 2015 after consecutive, unseasonably cold winters in the state. Ambit pledged full cooperation with the Department of Public Service. As one of the largest energy retailers in New York, Ambit takes customer satisfaction very seriously. For perspective, the total number of complaints in 2014 and 2015 represents less than half a percent of Ambit's total count of New York customers. Should customers have concerns regarding their Ambit Energy plan or service experience, they are encouraged to contact Ambit's Customer Care Team at (877) 282-6248 weekdays 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. CT or Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT. Ambit considers customer feedback tremendously valuable in helping it remain the finest and most-respected retail energy provider in America, and it looks forward to continuing its award-winning track record."