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December 15, 2015 Connecticut Green Guide

CT electricity supplier faces $14K fine for ‘slamming’

Regulators have proposed a $14,000 fine against Stamford-based electricity supplier Public Power LLC for unauthorized switching of customer accounts and failure to comply with record-keeping requirements.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) launched the investigation in February 2013, after receiving more than 50 customer complaints in the preceding four months about “slamming,” which is a term used for switching a customer from a utility company to a competitive power supplier without the customer’s knowledge or consent.

There were also complaints about excessive price increases and Public Power sales representatives claiming they worked for the utility company and telling customers their accounts would be closed unless they provided billing information.

PURA proposed the fine on Monday in a draft decision. It also wants to require Public Power to submit quarterly reports for one year detailing oversight and monitoring of third-party vendors and sales agents.

The decision also recognized that Public Power, which in 2012 became a part of Crius Energy, has put in better monitoring protocols and “for the most part,” complied with state laws governing the enrollment and switching of new customers.

PURA has investigated a number of other electricity suppliers for similar complaints.

Connecticut lawmakers and regulators have cracked down on deceptive marketing practices and variable rate contracts in the competitive electricity supplier industry.

The Office of Consumer Counsel said in October that many customers of competitive suppliers are paying more than they would under utility rates.

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