Texas REP Would Pay $220,000 Under Settlement With PUCT Staff

Direct Energy, LP would pay $220,000 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve allegations that it initiated disconnection of customers during an extreme weather emergency, contrary to PURA § 39.101(h) and P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.498(j)(1)

According to the stipulation, on February 6, 2014, Direct initiated disconnections for failure to maintain a current balance above the disconnection balance against 69 customers in counties affected by the extreme weather emergencies, of which eight disconnections were completed by Oncor.

According to the stipulation, on February 11, 2014, Direct initiated disconnections for failure to maintain a current balance above the disconnection balance against 183 customers in counties affected by the extreme weather emergencies, of which two disconnections were completed by Oncor.

The settlement states that Direct maintains that these disconnections were the result of an administrative error.

Direct Energy provided the following statement to EnergyChoiceMatters.com:

"Due to an administrative error, Direct Energy sent disconnection requests to the TDU during a weather moratorium, resulting in the disconnection of ten customers. As a result, Direct Energy has proactively implemented more efficient internal controls to ensure that TDU notifications of a weather emergency are implemented within one hour of receipt of that notification. Direct Energy regrets this incident, and has cooperated fully with the Public Utility Commission of Texas during the investigation."

Docket 44833