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PUCO To Hold Hearing On Previously Adopted $160,000 Settlement Between Inspire Energy & Staff: Grants Precedential OCC Intervention & Discovery In Supplier Settlement Cases
Re: In the Investigation Matter of Inspire Energy Holding, LLC
In a rehearing entry, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to hold a hearing on a $160,000 settlement between Inspire Energy Holdings LLC (‘Inspire’ or ‘Company’) and PUCO Staff.
As previously reported, the settlement addresses certain marketing and products from Inspire, including the prior offering of a plan with a low introductory trial cost, with Staff alleging that the product had an “unconscionably high subscription rate,” after an introductory period.
Also as previously reported, in PUCO’s December settlement order, the Commission denied intervention to the Ohio Consumers Counsel (OCC) and RESA in the settlement proceeding.
In response to a rehearing petition from OCC, PUCO ruled that it would hold a hearing on the settlement and established an intervention period, whereby it granted intervention to OCC.
“Upon review of the application for rehearing and the memorandum contra the application for rehearing and in the interests of transparency, the Commission will exercise its discretion and hold an evidentiary hearing to consider the adoption of the Settlement Agreement between Staff and Inspire Energy.”
“At this hearing, OCC will have a full and fair opportunity to contest the adoption of the Settlement Agreement by the Commission,”
PUCO directed an attorney examiner to issue a procedural schedule to facilitate the full development of the record in this case, “including an ample opportunity for discovery.”
Entry on Rehearing (02/07/2024)
(Entry on rehearing that the Commission grants, in part, and denies, in part, the application for rehearing filed by Ohio Consumers’ Counsel. Further the Commission directs the attorney examiner to schedule a hearing regarding the stipulation entered between Inspire Energy Holdings, LLC and Staff)
Finding & Order (12/13/2023)
(Finding & Order adopting the joint stipulation and recommendation filed by Inspire Energy Holdings, LLC and Staff addressing the marketing, solicitation, and customer enrollment issues identified by Staff)
23-720-GE (09/05/2023)
