Texas REP To Pay $18,000 To Settle Alleged EFL Violations (Pass-Through of TDU Charges, Minimum Usage Charge)

Hino Electric Power Company would pay $18,000 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve allegations that Hino violated PURA §§ 39.101(a)(6) and 39.101(b)(6)-(7); 16 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 25.475(g)(2)(A) (TAC), related to Electricity Facts Label (EFL); 25.478(j)(2), related to Deposit Refunds; and 25.485(e)(1)(D) related to Response Times for Complaints.

According to the settlement, in one informal complaint, "Hino improperly passed through transmission and distribution utility (TDU) charges."

"In another, Hino improperly charged a minimum usage fee that was not disclosed in the EFL," the settlement states

"In one informal complaint, Hino did not return a customer's deposit for six weeks. In another, Hino did not return a customer's deposit for five months," the settlement states

"In four informal complaints, Hino failed to respond to the Commission within the 21-day period," the settlement states

The settlement states that in order to prevent future violations, Hino has installed new computer systems and has implemented new back-office procedures to streamline customer refunds

Docket 46003