On April 11, the Public Utility Commission invited public comments on a proposed settlement agreement with Vista Energy Marketing LP (Vista Energy) following an investigation into the company’s marketing and sales practices as a licensed electric generation supplier (EGS) in Pennsylvania.

The Commission voted 5-0 to issue for comment a proposed settlement between Vista Energy and the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement (I&E).  Interested parties have 20 days to file comments on the proposed settlement.  Instructions on how to file are contained in the Commission’s Order.

I&E initiated an informal investigation of Vista Energy based on a referral from the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS), which had received five informal complaints from residential customers against Vista Energy alleging improper enrollments without proper customer authorization - otherwise known as “slamming” – and one informal complaint alleging that the company engaged in door-to-door sales in a community with “No Solicitation” signs clearly posted.

As part of the proposed settlement, the company agreed to:

-- Immediately cancel the Complainants’ enrollments with Vista Energy, with no assessed customer charges due to the unauthorized enrollments;

-- Terminate its relationship with the agents whose actions are the cause of this matter;

-- Implement new quality control measures, including additional reporting requirements to BCS;

-- Enhance education for its agents on PUC regulations regarding consumer protection, emphasizing those regulations prohibiting slamming; and

-- Pay a civil penalty of $4,000.

Click Here for a copy of the proposed settlement agreement.  PUC Docket No.:  M-2019-2633094.

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[Posted: April 11, 2019]

4/15/2019