Earlier this month I sent out an e mail encouraging residents to advise me of their their concerns about ESCO's--companies that compete with Con Ed and sell electricity and natural gas. I frequently receive calls from constituents who are looking to save money on their energy bills. The questions people ask me: will they save money? Are the savings temporary? What do they do if there are service outages? Are ESCO ad's deceptive? Are savings temporary?
There are about 19 ESCOs in the Westchester area. 35 supply natural gas. I contacted the NYS Attorney General's office and received the following e mail on Sunday. I am very pleaseed that the NYS Public Service Commission is seeking input on price transparencies and some other issues. If you have experiences dealing with ESCOs please participate in the hearings. I am also very pleased that the Attorney General's office is giving this their priority attention. It's an important consumer issue.
_ PAUL FEINER
Dear Supervisor Feiner,
The Attorney General’s Office shares your concerns about some New York energy service company marketers (ESCOs) that engage in deceptive practices that harm consumers. Our office has investigated and prosecuted several dishonest ESCOs over the last decade and is currently investigating several more of these companies.
The Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates ESCOs, has just
begun a review of ESCO dealings with residential and small business customers at
the urging of consumer advocates like the Attorney General. The PSC is
seeking public comment on a number of important issues including proposals for improved price transparency, disclosures, protections for low income
consumers, and more. I believe this new proceeding is an opportunity to
obtain major reforms and urge you and your constituents who are concerned
with ESCO practices to provide your input to the PSC in this docket. Anyone can submit written comments to the PSC Secretary in this proceeding identified as Case 12-M-0476. Comments are due December 27, 2012 and the Notice inviting comments can be found here:
http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId={FA17B3C8-C205-443B-ADDF-1AD5AE7309FF}
For more background on the PSC’s new inquiry, you can read the Commission’s
October 19 Order here:
http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId={C99C5CC1-EC6F-431A-87E2-3195E88CA98D}
Thank you for contacting Attorney General Schneiderman with your concerns and suggestions for reforms to help protect New York consumers.
Sincerely,
Keith H. Gordon,
AAG
