PUC Approves $125,000 Settlement With Retail Supplier

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a settlement between Commerce Energy, Inc. d/b/a Just Energy and PUCO Staff under which Just Energy will pay $125,000 to resolve a November 2015 Staff Notice of Probable Non-Compliance.

See details on the settlement, which was first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com earlier this month, here

PUCO's order adopting the settlement provided more details on the Notice of Probable Non-Compliance, disclosing that the Notice of Probable Non-Compliance alleged violations of Ohio Adm. Code 4901:1-21-05(0), 4901:1-21-06(B)(1), 4901:1-21-06(D)(2)(a)(iii), and 4901:l-21-06(D)(2)(a)(x).

Just Energy issued the following statement:

"Just Energy is proud to be the trusted energy supplier to approximately 2 million customers. Just Energy continues to innovate products and offers that will ensure that it will continue to be the supplier of choice in Ohio. We take our role as being transparent energy advisors who provide products of value, very seriously. Accordingly, we have entered into a stipulation with the Public Utility Commission of Ohio resolving the matter. All affected customers who enrolled over the phone have been contacted and have the option of cancelling at any-time with no penalty."

The settlement includes a remedial compliance plan. Among other things, Just Energy will modify and submit for Staff approval its IVR call tree to remove the option for customers to report a service outage and to clearly identify Just Energy as a CRES/CRNGS provider in the introduction of the IVR and for all remaining options on the IVR. The settlement also calls for changes to sales scripts and training materials.

Just Energy agrees to pay a forfeiture of $125,000 under the settlement. Additionally, an additional $50,000 shall be held in abeyance for 12 months. Just Energy shall forfeit this amount to the State of Ohio if it fails to complete the compliance program as required under the stipulation.