PUCO rules New York energy company cannot do business in Ohio

(The Center Square) – A New York-based green energy company plans to appeal a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ruling that ended its ability to do business in the state.

A PUCO investigation said RPA Energy, also know as Green Choice Energy, forged Ohio customer signatures and altered recorded sales calls. The commission ruled Wednesday the company can no longer do business in the state and faces a $1.44 million fine for 159 violations.

RPA must also refund customers the difference between their rates and the local utilities’ default rates.

RPA services customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois and Michigan.

“There is no room for misleading or deceptive practices in Ohio’s competitive electricity or natural gas markets,” PUCO Chairwoman Jenifer French said. “We take these violations seriously and will not tolerate suppliers taking advantage of Ohioans.”

- Advertisement -

Green Energy President and CEO Brian Trombino said Thursday afternoon the company plans to appeal to PUCO and, if necessary, ultimately to the Ohio Supreme Court.

“The order was neither reasonable nor lawful and we’re confident the Supreme Court of Ohio will agree,” Trombino said.

The investigation detailed in a nearly 1,500-page report revealed alleged violations such as forging customer signatures, nondisclosure of monthly fees, misleading statements, unauthorized third-party verification, altered sales call recordings and door-to-door marketing during PUCO’s pandemic restrictions.

In one complaint in the investigation, a consumer said RPA told her that her husband, “James,” agreed to the enrollment and provided a third-party verification and signed contract. The woman said that she lives alone, her husband is deceased and his name was “Donald.”

“The decision we render today should serve to underscore the seriousness with which the PUCO takes activities of this nature,” PUCO Commissioner Lawrence Friedeman said. “That said, thousands upon thousands of customers have migrated to competitive suppliers’ products without incident or complaint. I would encourage this larger segment of the competitive community to proceed with unwavering dedication to and focus on regulatory compliance and customer benefit.”

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

U.S. Ships Immigrants to African Monarchy

Is it deportation or exile? Five men from Vietnam,...

Seattle pushes safety fixes on Rainier Ave. South; advocates say it’s not enough

(The Center Square) – Seattle community organizers are calling...

State Bond Commission approves $15M for New Orleans jail repairs

(The Center Square) — The state Bond Commission discussed...

Green, Orleans Complex fires continue to burn in California

(The Center Square) — Areas in California remain in...

White House report touts economic gains from U.S. energy push

(The Center Square) − The White House Council of...

University Lakes restoration project fully funded, dredging to finish by 2026

(The Center Square) − The $78 million restoration of...

Trump administration officially rejects pandemic-related WHO rules

One day before the deadline, the U.S. government has...

More like this
Related

U.S. Ships Immigrants to African Monarchy

Is it deportation or exile? Five men from Vietnam,...

Seattle pushes safety fixes on Rainier Ave. South; advocates say it’s not enough

(The Center Square) – Seattle community organizers are calling...

State Bond Commission approves $15M for New Orleans jail repairs

(The Center Square) — The state Bond Commission discussed...