PORTLAND: Maine’s advocate for utility consumers plans to lodge at least a $1 million fine against an electricity provider facing allegations over deceptive marketing.
The Portland Press Herald reports the advocate is asking state regulators for permission to lodge such a fine and suspend Electricity Maine’s operating license for a year.
Electricity Maine was started in 2010 and was sold in 2016 to Houston-based Spark Energy.
Public Advocate Barry Hobbins says the company’s door-to-door marketing campaign from November 2017 through July 2018 deceived customers.
He says sales agents targeted vulnerable populations such as the elderly and promised lower rates even though Electricity Maine’s rates were higher than other options.
Electricity Maine tells WGME-TV the company doesn’t comment on ongoing regulatory proceedings.
Hobbins recommends using penalty funds for an educational campaign.
(Agencies)
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