Texas Retail Provider Raises Concerns With Other REP's Sought Use Of Trade Name Cost Plus Power

MP2 Energy Texas LLC has moved to intervene in a Texas PUC proceeding in which Young Energy, LLC filed for an amendment to its retail electric provider certification to, among other things, add the assumed name "Cost Plus Power" to Young Energy's REP certificate

Young Energy's application to use the trade name Cost Plus Power had been first reported by EnergyChoiceMatters.com

MP2 Energy said in its motion to intervene that, "MP2 maintains a certificate to provide retail electric service to customers in the entire state of Texas and is currently serving customers under that certificate (Certificate 10174). One of MP2's assumed names on file with the Commission is 'Cost Plus Energy.' MP2's registration of the assumed name with the Texas Secretary of State had lapsed; however, MP2 has not been serving customers under this lapsed assumed name. On August 4, 2021 MP2 filed with the Secretary of State' s office to have the assumed name renewed and received its Certificate of Filing from the Secretary of State's office on the same day (August 4, 2021)."

MP2 Energy said, "Under the Commission's Substantive Rule 25.107(e)(1)(B), a business name shall not be 'deceptive, misleading, vague ... or duplicative of a name previously approved for use by a REP certificate holder.' Given the similarity between Young Energy's proposed assumed name 'Cost Plus Power' and MP2's assumed name of 'Cost Plus Energy,' MP2 is concerned that granting Young Energy, LLC's amendment to use the assumed name 'Cost Plus Power' could be deceptive and misleading to customers. Additionally, granting the use of the name may adversely impact MP2's ability to use 'Cost Plus Energy' as an assumed name in the future by creating customer confusion."

Docket 52342