Retail Supplier Agrees To Two-Year Marketing & Enrollment Stand-Down Period In State, $275,000 In Refunds, Under Adopted Settlement

Star Energy Partners, LLC has agreed to a two-year marketing and enrollment "stand-down period" in Illinois as part of a settlement with Staff of the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, and the Citizens Utility Board

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the settlement at its meeting today

The settlement and associated compliance plan were filed confidentially, but are to be made public upon formal issuance of an order by the ICC

During a discussion of the settlement, ICC Commissioners did note that the settlement includes $275,000 in customer refunds, and a $25,000 payment to a state LIHEAP fund.

The settlement addresses a previously reported investigation of Star Energy Partners, LLC’s customer sales, solicitation, marketing and enrollment practices, policies, and materials. Among other things, Staff alleged Star used the ComEd logo in marketing and used marketing materials that contained statements that were alleged to be false, misleading, materially inaccurate or otherwise deceptive, in that they allegedly created the impression that certain Star offerings are provided in partnership or affiliation with ComEd. Staff also alleged that the manner in which Star applied a daily service fee violated the contract disclosure rules.

See more details on Staff's allegations here

Under the settlement agreement and release, Star Energy agreed to enter into a compliance plan with ICC Staff that will govern Star Energy’s operations and activities

Remedial measures under the compliance plan include a two-year marketing and enrollment stand-down period in Illinois; a staggered reentry into the Illinois market after the stand down period; hiring of personnel to oversee compliance efforts; voluntary quarterly compliance filings; review of training and sales marketing materials by Staff prior to reentry in the Illinois market; and certain limitations on marketing practices.

Star entered into the settlement agreement and compliance plan without admission of criminal, civil, or any other liability or of any violations of Part 412 of the Commission’s Rules governing the obligations of retail electric suppliers

Docket 18-1652