The Maryland Public Service Commission has ordered SmartEnergy Holdings to refund $6.5 million to more than 32,000 former customers, following a finding that the renewable energy supplier engaged in deceptive practices and violated state law.
The decision, issued Monday, gives the New York-based company 90 days to issue refunds to electric customers who enrolled by phone between February 2017 and May 2019. SmartEnergy did not respond to requests for comment.
SmartEnergy began operating in Maryland in 2017 but quickly drew consumer complaints, primarily from Baltimore Gas and Electric customers. In May 2019, a formal complaint accused the company of fraud, misleading marketing, and violating consumer protection rules. Some customers reported being enrolled without consent, a tactic known as “slamming,” and one complaint alleged a SmartEnergy representative falsely claimed affiliation with BGE…