The Connecticut DPUC has taken notice to 12 different Consumer Assistance Intake Forms received earlier this year, involving Freedom Choice Energy, LLC. The DPUC did not comment on the specifics, but said that some of the allegations involved:
- A mis-representation of the firm, where a FCE representative said they were instead associated with CL&P,
- A representative retaining a copy of a customer’s utility bill,
- An inability of customers to reach Freedom Choice Energy at the phone number it provided to customers, and
- Customer complaints as to what were generally perceived as aggressive sales tactics
It is not clear as to which of these recent activities are that of an agent or of a single supplier, or that of a broker soliciting without a marketing agent relationship to a supplier, neither of which require a license.
However, these developments will likely carry implications on the firm’s recent aggregator license application, as the DPUC has established firm guidelines in differentiating between agents and aggregators (aggregators must represent the customer, and may not act as an agent or marketer of any supplier).
The DPUC has issued an interrogatory to Freedom Choice Energy asking the firm to:
- List any of its relationships or partnerships with any licensed suppliers or aggregators currently operating in Connecticut.
- Answer whether it has contacted CL&P, UI, a licensed electric supplier, or a licensed electric aggregator in an attempt to switch a customer’s supplier of choice, and to explain if it has done so.
- Clarify its business relationship with Positive Energy (another Connecticut aggregator).
FCE indicated in its application that it will begin an electric aggregation program once its application is approved. However, the DPUC has asked whether through its officers, employees, or any related subcontractors, if FCE has already begun soliciting customers.
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My daughter worked for this company for 2 weeks then quit. She said the owner of the company is Frances Gaurino aka Jerry Guarino also maybe Anthony Perrotti. These two guys were constantly in trouble with the state of CT. with other companies they owned in the past. They are known to scam and con homeowners so beware.