PSC Dismisses Staff Complaint Against Retail Supplier

The Maryland PSC has dismissed a complaint against Atlantic Energy MD LLC that had been filed by Technical Staff of the Commission

As exclusively first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, Technical Staff of the Maryland Public Service Commission on May 15, 2019, filed a complaint against Atlantic Energy MD LLC alleging that the Company had violated Maryland law governing retail suppliers’ activities. Staff cited 32 customer complaints in its complaint (see story here for details)

The PSC, in summarizing Atlantic Energy's answer to the complaint, said, "The Company’s Answer and Response explained, among other things, its business and products offered; its policies and procedures for handling agent training, enrollments, complaints, and refunds; and its understanding of the 32 customer complaints identified in Staff’s Complaint. The Company noted that 'The majority of the complaints related to delays in processing customer natural gas enrollment cancellations that were caused by an Electric Data Interchange ('EDI') issue between Atlantic’s EDI vendor and the utility (BGE), and which was corrected before the Complaint in this matter was filed,' and it supplied signed contracts and TPV call recordings for customers alleging unauthorized enrollments."

"After reviewing the evidence before it, the Commission finds that there is insufficient evidence that the Company has engaged in a pattern or practice of systemic violations of the Public Utilities Article or Commission regulations. Accordingly, the Commission finds that no further action is required with regard to this matter," the PSC said, dismissing the Staff complaint

Atlantic Energy issued the following statement to EnergyChoiceMatters.com: "Atlantic Energy is pleased that the Maryland Public Service Commission made the correct decision to dismiss the Staff Complaint, noting that the majority of complaints against Atlantic related to an issue with our former EDI provider that has since been resolved. In response to the Complaint, Atlantic filed an extremely detailed and comprehensive Answer which explained our unique value-added product offerings and the multiple levels of controls that we have in place to ensure sales and marketing compliance. We look forward to continuing our efforts to bring our unique Smart Home and LED product offerings to customers in Maryland and in all the markets that we serve."