June 6, 2019
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Affirms $1.8 Million Civil Penalty Against Retail Supplier
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed a prior $1.8 million civil penalty imposed by the Pennsylvania PUC against HIKO Energy
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Enforcement & Complaints
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June 4, 2019
Updated With More Details On Alleged Violations: Retail Supplier Agrees To $35,000 Forfeiture Under Stipulation With PUC Staff
PUCO Staff's October 2018 notice of probable non-compliance to Great American Power, LLC has been made public, disclosing more details on allegations which led to the stipulation first reported yesterday (see original story below)
June 3, 2019
Updated With More Details On Alleged Violations: Retail Supplier Agrees To $35,000 Forfeiture Under Stipulation With PUC Staff
PUCO Staff's October 2018 notice of probable non-compliance to Great American Power, LLC has been made public, disclosing more details on allegations which led to the stipulation first reported yesterday (see original story below)
May 31, 2019
Texas Retail Electric Provider Enters Settlement With PUC Staff Over Collection Of Customer Deposits
Quest Distributors, LLC (Quest) would pay $20,000 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve alleged violations of 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 25.107(f)(2)(B), concerning protection of customer deposits and (i)(3), concerning requirements for…
May 30, 2019
Updated: Draft Decision Would Fine Retail Supplier $1.5 Million
A draft decision from the Connecticut PURA would impose a $1.5 million fine on Liberty Holdings, LLC [sic] ("Liberty" or "Company") and prohibit Liberty from accepting new residential customers and/or marketing to residential customers via any means other than online enrollments for six months, as…
May 21, 2019
Utility Withdraws Complaint, Says Cannot Identify Retail Market Entity To Name As Responsible For Alleged Misrepresentation
Ohio Power Company (AEP Ohio) has withdrawn a complaint filed at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio concerning alleged misrepresentations in the retail energy market, which had originally named as respondents "Energy Advisors", described by AEP Ohio as an Ohio-based LLC with its principal place…
May 21, 2019
PSC Fines Broker
The Maryland PSC granted Light Star Energy Group, LLC an electric broker license to serve residential, commercial and industrial customers in all service areas. In doing so, the Commission directed Light Star Energy Group, LLC to pay a civil penalty to the Commission in the amount of $1,000 for…
May 17, 2019
To Stop Bad Behavior, RESA President Encourages Regulators To Ban, From The Market, Retail Suppliers Who Violate Rules
Urges Suppliers: If You See Bad Behavior, "Call It Out"
During a panel at DNV GL's Energy Executive Forum, Matt White, General Counsel at IGS Energy and President of the Retail Energy Supply Association, said that regulators have not enforced retail energy rules vigorously enough, and that banning one or two suppliers for violations would shut any…
May 17, 2019
NY Senate Energy Chair: New York Retail Market "Not Going To Be The Best Opportunity"
New York State Senator Kevin Parker, Chairman of the Senate's Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, said during DNV GL's Energy Executive Forum that, "I think that the retail [energy] market is probably not going to be the best opportunity in the state of New York."
May 16, 2019
Former PUC Commissioner: Without Robust Set Of Consumer Protections, Regulators Won't Allow Electric Industry To Be As Competitive In Future
PUCs Will Give Regulated Utilities Greater Role In Consumer Protection If Consumer Harm Persists
Speaking at DNV GL's Energy Executive Forum, Carla Peterman, former Commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission, said that if greater consumer protections are not adopted, the retail electric industry of the future will have less of an opportunity for competition and an increased role…
May 16, 2019
Retail Energy Regulator Urges Suppliers To Speak Out Against Bad Actors In Market, If Markets Are To Be Sustained, Grown
"It Takes One Bad Story To Set Everything Back", Commissioner Says
Speaking during a town hall at DNV GL's Energy Executive Forum, Illinois Commerce Commissioner Sadzi Oliva encouraged retail energy suppliers to speak out against bad actors in the market if they hope to sustain and grow retail energy markets
May 15, 2019
PSC Staff Seek Show Cause Orders Against Three Retail Suppliers For Alleged Slamming, Misleading Statements
Staff of the Maryland PSC, in separately filed complaints, have requested that the Commission issue show cause orders to three retail suppliers alleging instances of slamming and misleading statements
May 13, 2019
PSC Staff Seeks Show Cause Order Against Retail Provider Due To Three Alleged Instances Of Slamming, One In Which 'Wet' Signature Could Not Be Produced
Staff of the Public Service Commission of Maryland ("Staff") filed a complaint pursuant to Section 20.07.03 of the Code of Maryland Regulations ("COMAR") requesting that the Commission issue an order directing that Smart One Energy, LLC ("Smart One") show cause why its license to provide natural gas…
May 13, 2019
PSC Staff Seeks Show Cause Order Against Retail Supplier Due To Three Alleged Instances Of Slamming, One Alleged Instance Of Misrepresentation As Utility
Staff of the Public Service Commission of Maryland ("Staff") filed a complaint pursuant to Section 20.07.03 of the Code of Maryland Regulations ("COMAR") requesting that the Commission issue an order directing that SmartEnergy Holdings d/b/a SmartEnergy ("SmartEnergy") show cause why its license to…
May 8, 2019
Retail Supplier Voluntarily Suspends Marketing, Enrollments In State Pending Investigation Settlement Discussions
In seeking stay of a procedural schedule in a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio investigation proceeding, Verde Energy USA Ohio, LLC stated that it has voluntarily agreed to immediately take steps to cease marketing retail electricity and gas to Ohio residents and cease enrolling new retail…
May 2, 2019
PUCO Approves Separate Settlements With Two Retail Suppliers Which Includes Over $35,000 In Forfeitures
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved without modification separate settlements between PUCO Staff and Ambit Northeast, LLC, and between PUCO Staff and Switch Energy, LLC, to resolve previously reported Notices of Probable Non-Compliance issued by Staff
May 2, 2019
Retail Supplier Seeks To Intervene In PUC's Investigation Of Another Supplier
Interstate Gas Supply, Inc. moved to intervene in a recently opened proceeding at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio concerning alleged violations of various marketing rules by Verde Energy USA Ohio, LLC
May 1, 2019
Regulator Issues Order Prohibiting Retail Supplier From Enrolling New Customers Via Any Means Other Than Online Enrollments, For Six Months
Imposes $1.5 Million Civil Penalty On Retail Supplier
The Connecticut PURA issued a final order imposing on Direct Energy Services, LLC a civil penalty in the amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for violations of Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 16-245, 16-245o, 16-245s, and 42-110b
May 1, 2019
Energy Advisors LLC Says Utility Complaint Concerning Retail Energy Marketing Named Wrong Company, Denies Allegations
Energy Advisors LLC of Cincinnati, Ohio said that a complaint filed by AEP Ohio against the company identified the wrong company as the company engaged in the alleged behavior leading to the complaint, and denied all of the allegations in the complaint
April 29, 2019
Texas QSE To Pay $25,000 Under Settlement With PUC Staff
Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. would pay $25,000 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve alleged violations of 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 25.503(f)(2), concerning alleged failure to adhere to Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)…
April 26, 2019
PUC Imposes New Annual Fee On Retail Suppliers
Considers Whether To Assess Unique Fees To Suppliers In Future Based On Number Of Complaints
The California PUC yesterday adopted without modification a draft resolution establishing the level for a new annual fee on Core Transport Agents (CTA, retail natural gas suppliers), and said that it will continue to consider basing the fee on the number of complaints a CTA has.
April 24, 2019
Consumer Counsel Seeks Suspension Of Retail Suppliers' Licenses, Transfer Of Customers to Default Service
In substantially similar motions to intervene in recently opened and separate PUCO investigations of PALMco Power OH, LLC d/b/a Indra Energy (PALMco) and Verde Energy USA Ohio, LLC the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel requested that the Public Utility Commission of Ohio suspend or rescind each…
April 24, 2019
In Draft, Regulator Issues Further Directives To Retail Suppliers Concerning Amnesty, Refund Plans
--- Would Require Filed Plans To Conform To Latest Directives
The Connecticut PURA issued a "draft interim decision" which would establish further parameters and requirements for amnesty plans filed by retail electric suppliers.
April 24, 2019
Texas Retail Provider To Pay $85,000 Under Settlement To Resolve Alleged Switch-Hold Violations
Stream SPE, Ltd. would pay $85,000 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve alleged violations of Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 25.480, relating to Bill Payment and Adjustments and the alleged imposition of improper switch-holds
April 22, 2019
State Raises Penalties For Retail Energy Slamming
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation that will increase civil penalties for retail energy slamming practices