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• Government Actions:

  Government Action: BBB reports on known government actions involving business’ marketplace conduct:

  PUCO Fines Retail Energy Supplier SmartEnergy
  

  The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below.

  On August 23, 2023, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) assessed a $122,000 fine and ordered SmartEnergy Holdings, LLC to issue credits to certain customers, and honor rebate incentives it promised customers when enrolling for service.
  
  A PUCO investigation determined that SmartEnergy was providing customers misleading and deceptive information, specifically:
  
  -Telling customers they would be protected from rate increases;
  -Telling customers they are eligible to claim a gift card they are not yet eligible for;
  -Charging extremely high variable rates, sometimes as much as $0.299 per kilowatt hour;
  -Enrolling customers who are clearly confused;
  -Not providing required notice that contract terms are nearing expiration.
  -The PUCO’s investigation began after multiple complaints to the PUCO call center during 2022.
  
  The Commission ordered SmartEnergy to identify all customers charged $0.299 per kWh and rerate their bills to the utility’s standard service offer at the time. SmartEnergy will be limited to offering only fixed-rate contracts to customers for a 24 month period. SmartEnergy will also pay a $122,000 civil forfeiture to the State of Ohio.

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