PUC Approves Settlements With Two Retail Electric Providers (Civil Forfeitures Of $174,000; $115,000)

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted two settlements with retail energy suppliers

SFE Energy & Statewise Energy

PUCO said in a news release that, "Retail energy suppliers SFE Energy and Statewise Energy will pay a $174,000 civil forfeiture to the state of Ohio for violations of PUCO rules and regulations. Additionally, the companies will credit customers that enrolled with the suppliers from November 2019 through June 26, 2020 the difference in price had the customer been charged their utility’s default energy supply rate."

"A PUCO investigation accused SFE Energy and Statewise of misleading and deceptive practices while marketing to and enrolling customers, including making false and misleading statements while soliciting customers during door-to-door sales," PUCO said in a news release

SFE Energy and Statewise Energy provided the following statement concerning the matter:

"SFE Energy and Statewise Energy are committed to being the preferred provider of energy for retail customers. While the companies disagreed with the allegations in the PUCO investigation, the companies have reached a fair resolution with PUCO Staff and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel in order to focus on the continued delivery of excellent service to Ohio customers."

--- Statement from SFE Energy and Statewise Energy

See background on the allegations and more details on the settlement terms in our prior story here

Major Energy Services LLC & Major Energy Electric Services LLC

PUCO said in a news release that, "Major Energy Services LLC and Major Energy Electric Services LLC will pay a $115,000 civil forfeiture to the state of Ohio for violations of PUCO rules and regulations. Additionally, the suppliers will return customers enrolled via door-to-door sales between January 2019 through January 2020 to their utility’s default energy supply rate and credit them the difference in price. Total credits are approximately $200,000."

"A PUCO investigation accused Major Energy of enrolling new customers without their consent," PUCO said in a news release

Major Energy said in a statement that, "We’re pleased to have this matter behind us and we remain committed to providing energy choice to consumers in Ohio."

See background on the allegations and more details on the settlement terms in our prior story here