Press Release

PUC Finalizes $64,450 Settlement with Public Power Over Erroneous Customer Enrollments

Published on 12/19/2013

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today finalized a settlement with Public Power, LLC over informal investigations into alleged erroneous customer enrollments.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement between Public Power, LLC and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E).

The settlement includes the following actions by the company:

• Paying a civil penalty of $64,450, of which it agrees not to recover any portion from Pennsylvania consumers;
• Providing a refund, totaling $22,161.68, to each of the 263 customers physically switched to Public Power for the electric generation portion of their bill for the time they were served by Public Power, and notifying the PUC when these refunds have been made;
• Providing written notice to the PUC of any changes to its marketing practices; and
• Implementing revisions to its operating procedures.

The settlement with Public Power follows an informal investigation into the company’s alleged “slamming” of customers within the PECO Energy Co. service territory. The PUC’s I&E determined that Public Power violated PUC regulations and the Public Utility Code by initiating the process of switching the electric generation supplier (EGS) on 2,937 customer accounts.  In the settlement, the company admits no wrongdoing.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility. “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Docket No. M-2012-2257858

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