In what is the first of hopefully many more victories to come, Champion Energy is changing their terms of service in response to an e-mail exchange I had with a representative of the company. As pointed out in the previous post Tip of the Day…, it appeared to me, Champion Energy was requiring more than PUC rule allowed when determining customer eligibility for level or average billing options. After notifying and questioning the company, I have been informed that they have spoken with outside counsel and will be changing the Terms of Service for thier product offering. Shouldn’t the PUC have caught this!? Do they not look over a REP’s Terms of Service Contracts before giving certification to a company or a product offering!?
So, upon this discovery I examined the terms of Service for 29 Companies in the 77091 (Houston) zipcode. I found numerous Retail Electric Providers, in what I believe to be in violation of the same rule. Many companies appear to have additional requirements above and beyond a customer’s current account status, which is all PUC rule allows for. I have requested the PUC to look into this and have given them a breakdown of which companies I believe to be in violation.
This has inspired me to go on a rules crusade and continue giving people insight and pointing out rules that customers can take advantage of. The rules are often times hidden and many times companies either don’t want you to know about them (numerous companies have no mention of average or level billing in their terms of service), or flat out violate in what appears to be PUC approval in hopes that they will not be discovered. I’m a legislative staffer with 6 months experience in the electricity realm; the PUC should have discovered this before me! If not them, where was the Office of Public Utility Counsel, you know the independent agency charged with advocating for consumers!?
At this point I will repeat my message of why level or average billing is important and the reason for the last two blog posts. This billing option can prove to be a valuable tool or billing option to help consumers offset high summer electric bills. Consumers should be made aware of this option and should be able to take advantage of it without companies setting up road blocks and breaking PUC rules!
Wow, your 6 months experience as a legislative staffer is sure showing through. If you knew any better you'd know that the PUC is the only agency required by statute to enforce the substantive rules, not the Office of Public Utility Counsel. Where were your friends at Texas Legal Services Center to tell you of these awful violations? Aren't they charged with advocating for consumers? The trial lawyers sure line their pockets enough for them to go out and be crusaders, like yourself. Which brings me to my next point, are you speaking on behalf of Mr Turner, or yourself?
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost I speak on behalf of myself and no one else, and I will make a post to make that very clear.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, If you read my post, in no way do I imply that OPUC has authority to enforce rules. I have a clear understanding of who is charged with what and who has what authority, your comment is misleading and just plain wrong. The exact statement in the post says, " the PUC should have discovered this before me! If not them, where was the Office of Public Utility Counsel, you know the independent agency charged with advocating for consumers!?"
OPUC and the PUC are perfectly capable of discovering rules violations. OPUC can find abuses which affect consumers, such as what the post highlights and advocate for the PUC to enforce the rules. This is what they should be doing in instances such as this clear violation of the rules.
As far as your comment on Texas Legal Services Center goes I'm not sure that it warrants a comment however I will simply say this. They work very hard at protecting consumers and offer legal services for many things, not just electricity issues. As with most advocate organizations, funding and staff are always an issue. They do a very good job at what they do with what they have and I commend their efforts.
Lastly, I thank you for taking the time to read the blog, and I appreciate feed back. However, I would request that it be accurate if you are attacking my position or my understanding of an issue.
Cheers