DATELINE: 19 August 2004
Electric Companies Fined $53,000
Slamming, Disconnection, Low-income Issues Resolved
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved $53,000 in penalties on Thursday in four separate enforcement actions against Texas electric companies.
The Commission levied a $29,000 penalty against TXU Energy Retail Company for direct marketing practices in Harris and Hidalgo Counties. A TXU contractor submitted falsified customer enrollment forms requesting a switch to TXU retail service. Although TXU reported the falsifications to the PUC, the company already had switched 58 customers. TXU subsequently took action to reverse those switched. TXU Energy Retail Company also was fined $4,000 for improperly switching the account of a City of Irving traffic signal at the intersection of Regent Blvd. and Beltline that resulted in a disconnection on Oct. 30, 2003.
In addition, the Commission approved a $4,000 penalty against the transmission and distribution company, ONCOR (now TXU Electric Delivery) for processing the disconnection without providing advance notice to the City of Irving.
In a separate action the Commission approved a $16,000 penalty against Andeler, a Lubbock-based retail electric provider serving low-income customers eligible for a discount. Commission records indicate Andeler failed reporting requirements and failed to provide the low-income rate discount to eligible customers. Andeler also charged late fees to low-income customers who are not subject to late fees. In addition to the fine, the company will reimburse all low-income customers charged with late fees between Jan. 1, 2003 and Jan. 31, 2004. Andeler will file a report with the Commission to verify all refunds.
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