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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Utility company has license revoked by state

Numerous complaints filed by residents against Universal Gas

By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: February 28, 2008

Following a public warning issued last week by Ypsilanti Police Chief Matt Harshberger and other municipal authorities in Michigan, the Michigan Public Services Commission has initiated a formal investigation into the marketing and customer service policies and practices of Universal Gas & Electric.

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According to Judy Palnau, spokeswoman for the Commission, they have also rescinded UGE's license as an alternative electric supplier, at the company's request. Due to the number of complaints against the company regarding its practices regarding natural gas service, the commission had granted that conditional license on Jan. 29. On Feb. 1, the company asked that the license be rescinded, as it did not choose to meet the listed conditions.

On Feb. 22, the commission directed UGE to file a series of reports detailing any complaints it receives and its plans to correct any problems it discovers as an alternative gas supplier. The first report is due on March 22.

After that, reports will be required every three months for the next year. Along with each report, UGE has also been directed to file progress reports on its plans to end any problems.

After each filing, the MPSC will review the company's complaint history to determine whether, and to what extent, UGE has eliminated the root causes of the complaints and whether it has complied with alternative gas supplier regulatory requirements.

If MPSC determines the company is not complying, fines and costs may be levied, or the company's license to operate as an AGS in Michigan may be revoked, according to Palnau.

The MPSC is taking complaints by telephone at 1-800-292-9555 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.

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