Press Release
PUC Seeks Comment on Proposed Settlements with Retail Energy Suppliers Concerning Sales & Marketing Practices
Published on 10/28/2021
Filed under: Electric
Proposed Settlements with Greenlight Energy and Discount Power Center on Misleading and Deceptive Telemarketing, Unauthorized Enrollments
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a pair of proposed settlement agreements between the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E) and two electric generation suppliers – Greenlight Energy Inc. (Greenlight) and Discount Power, Inc. (Discount). Both proposed settlements center on, but are not limited to, alleged misleading and deceptive telemarketing practices and unauthorized customer enrollments.
The Commission voted 3-0 to issue for comment the proposed settlement between I&E and Greenlight stemming from alleged misleading and deceptive telemarketing practices and unauthorized customer enrollments completed by third-party vendors acting on behalf of Greenlight. I&E had initiated an investigation into the alleged violations based on a referral from the PUC’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight (OCMO) and five informal customer complaints.
Pursuant to the proposed settlement, Greenlight will pay a total civil penalty of $8,250, with the penalty not being tax deductible or passed through as an additional charge to Greenlight’s customers in Pennsylvania.
Additionally, the Commission voted 3-0 to issue for comment the proposed settlement between I&E and Discount concerning I&E’s informal investigation into possible violations of the Public Utility Code and specific consumer protections regulations – including misleading and deceptive telemarketing; billing of incorrect rates; failure to issue renewal letters; unauthorized enrollments; and lack of record keeping. I&E had initiated the informal investigation into the alleged violations based on a referral from OCMO.
Pursuant to the proposed settlement, Discount will do the following:
- Pay a total civil penalty of $42,250, with the penalty not being tax deductible or passed through as an additional charge to Discount’s customers in Pennsylvania;
- Create and implement a robust customer complaint tracking system which will include the inquiry, dispute or complaint, subsequent communications between the supplier and the customer, and the resolution of the inquiry, dispute or complaint;
- Train its customer service agents on the new system and ensure that all information logged into the system is detailed, accurate and responsive to the inquiry, dispute or complaint; and
- Process, investigate and be responsive to a customer inquiry, dispute or complaint within a 6-month period of time from the date the inquiry, dispute or complaint is received.
Within 25 days of the date of entry of these Orders, interested parties may file comments on the proposed settlements - in accordance with the Commission’s Emergency Order at Docket No. M-2020-3019262. All comments shall be filed through the PUC’s eFiling system. Instructions on eFiling, including how to open a PUC eFiling account, are contained in the Commission’s Orders.
About the PUC
Pennsylvania’s 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.
Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.
# # #
Docket Nos.:
Contact:
-
David Hixson
Deputy Press Secretary
717-772-2766
dhixson@pa.gov
Complaints
Learn how to submit a complaint with a public utility. You can also search existing formal complaints.
Get DetailsSubscribe to Press Releases
Keep track of PUC news and activities with press releases delivered straight to your email inbox.
SubscribeNeed More Help?
If you can't find what you're looking for here, please contact the PA Public Utility Commission. Call us at 1-800-692-7380 or contact us online.
Document Search
Public utility documents available electronically include case dockets, public meeting orders and more.
Filing & Resources
Find utility-related reports, laws and regulations, federal filings, tariffs, procedures and more.
eFILING
Consumers, utilities and attorneys can save time by submitting documents to the PUC electronically.