Ohio Consumers' Counsel Seeks Immediate, Indefinite Halt To Door-to-Door Retail Energy Sales

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel requested that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, "immediately and indefinitely halt energy marketers’ door-to-door sales, so as to protect Ohioans from the coronavirus."

"Door-to-door sales of energy are inherently problematic for consumers, but now are an unacceptable risk during the public health emergency. The PUCO should immediately and indefinitely suspend door-to-door solicitation of Ohio utility customers by marketers of natural gas and electricity," OCC said

"With schools and potentially businesses closing for the next three weeks (and maybe much longer), there will be even more Ohioans at home and subject to what are now health risks of door-to-door sales. Responsible marketers would already be suspending their door-to-door sales. But, as is clear from several recent mismarketing cases, the PUCO cannot allow the marketing industry to self-regulate," OCC said

OCC noted the Pennsylvania PUC's recent action to suspend door-to-door and other in-person retail energy sales activity (see story here)

"The PUCO has authority to place a moratorium on energy marketing and has done so in the past, as well as there now being state and federal emergency actions.9 For the health of Ohioans, the PUCO should immediately suspend door-to-door marketing,' OCC said