The Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel on Tuesday asked state energy regulators to open a second investigation into Houston electricity supplier Direct Energy Services, based on complaints from Coventry residents.
The consumer counsel alleges Direct Energy went back on promised to supply Coventry residents with retail electricity at set preferential rates in exchange for the Coventry town government exclusively recommending the company to its residents, as part of Direct Energy’s municipal marketing program. The Office of Consumer Counsel said it has received several complaints about access to the appropriate rates or about overcharges and wants the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to open an investigation.
The Houston firm already is the subject of another PURA probe looking into whether it violated state laws forbidding switching customers electric suppliers without their knowledge, known in the industry as slamming. Two other electric suppliers, Connecticut Gas & Electric and Starion Energy, also are subject of that probe.
“The issues outlined in the Office of Consumer Counsel’s (OCC) petition to address customer concerns are part of an existing investigation already underway with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) in Connecticut in which we’ve been fully cooperating,” said Direct Energy spokeswoman Bethany Ruhe.
There are approximately 40 licensed electricity suppliers serving Connecticut markets, overseen by PURA, the result of industry deregulation in 1998.
“We take any and all issues regarding our customers and our services seriously, as proven by our immediate response to the ongoing PURA investigation,” Ruhe said. “We are committed to our customers in Connecticut and are addressing this issue as expeditiously as possible.”
