1,566 NYS Utility Customers to Receive Refund

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that as a result of an investigation by the Department of Public Service’s Consumer Advocate, 1,566 utility consumers in New York state will receive a total of $950,700 in energy-bill refunds from Ambit Energy, a retail electricity provider.

The investigation was launched after customer complaints caused the Department of Public Service to raise concerns over Ambit’s customer disclosure statements and renewal notices, particularly for customers who were moved from a guaranteed-savings plan into a variable rate plan that charged significantly more.

“As a result of the investigation, Ambit has made major adjustments to customers’ bills in an effort to both resolve concerns raised by the Department and satisfy customers who were charged more after being moved out of the guaranteed-savings plan,” read a press release issued by Cuono’s office. “In concluding its investigation, the Department reviewed the company’s response and determined that it had adequately addressed deficiencies and had appropriately adjusted customer rates and bills. The actual level of refund is dependent on a number of factors, including how long the customer was charged a higher rate.”

Of the customers receiving a refund, 153 live in New York City.