Market Alerts
PUCO Highlights Supplier Enforcement Actions
In its year-end wrap-up the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio highlighted enforcement actions against a number of retail suppliers and also touted the new “Supplier Enforcement Actions” page on its website.
Supplier enforcement actions
“Many Ohioans turn to third-party energy suppliers to help save money on their electric or natural gas bills. However, there are cases where suppliers may not fully follow PUCO regulations put in place to protect consumers. When this happens, the PUCO may order the supplier to comply and may issue a monetary forfeiture.
Current Power & Gas – this supplier was found to be unable to serve retail electric customers or meet financial obligations. The PUCO ensured that Current customers would return to their local electric distribution utility with no service outages due to the change.
Direct Energy – the PUCO accepted a settlement that saw Direct Energy paying a civil forfeiture, making a contribution to the Dollar Energy Fund and cease using a digital third-party verification service for enrollment. This came as the PUCO found the company to be in violation of marketing solicitation and enrollment regulations.
Xoom Energy – this supplier was found to have enrolled customers without proper consent and was required to pay a civil forfeiture, contribute to the Dollar Energy Fund and credit or rebill impacted customers.
Realgy Energy – the PUCO reached a settlement agreement that saw Realgy Energy pay a civil forfeiture, credit impacted customers and cease doing business in Ohio. In addition, Realgy Energy owners and officers are barred from working in the competitive energy business in Ohio.”
