NYS PSC HOLDING HEARINGS ON ESCOs

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