Retail Supplier Enters Settlement With Regulator, Will Pay $500,000, In Lieu Of Earlier $750,000

The Connecticut PURA has approved formalizing a settlement agreement with Spark Energy, LLC, under which Spark would pay $500,000 in lieu of an earlier civil penalty of $750,000 assessed against the supplier

As first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com, PURA in July 2019 had issued an order assessing a civil penalty of $750,000 against Spark Energy, LLC as PURA had concluded that a pre-recorded telemarketing message used by a subcontractor of an agent of Spark Energy, LLC violated certain statutes. See further details on the nature of violations in our prior story

Spark disagreed with PURA's decision and filed an action in state Superior Court against PURA's decision.

To resolve the matter, PURA and Spark entered into the settlement agreement

The settlement provides that, "In full and final settlement of all allegations and claims set forth in the Spark Energy Superior Court Action and as full compliance with the civil penalty imposed in Order No. 1 of PURA's Decision, Spark Energy agrees to pay the amount of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to the General Fund of the State of Connecticut. Spark Energy's payment shall be made payable to the 'Treasurer, State of Connecticut.'"

Such payment, "shall be in lieu of, and in full satisfaction of, the civil penalty assessed in Order No. 1 in the Decision," the settlement states

Under the settlement, Spark Energy shall continue to comply with other provisions of PURA's order, including a requirement to maintain complete audio recordings of the entire transaction for all marketing calls made by it or on its behalf by any third party

The Settlement Agreement does not represent an admission or concession by the parties as to the claims, or facts and circumstances surrounding the claims, or proper disposition of any issue related to the PURA Notice of Violation, the Spark Energy Superior Court Action, or the Settlement Agreement

Commenting on settlement, a Spark Energy media representative stated, "We are glad to have this matter settled and behind us."

Docket 10-06-18RE02