Frederick Maryland Online

This is turning into quite a public relations nightmare for Allegheny Power, and a testament to the power of public outrage.  Although, it will be interesting to see how exactly this “debacle” is handled so that we, the consumers aren’t left with an even larger charge on our electric bills.  From the FNP:

Allegheny Power took full responsibility today for inadequately notifying customers they would be charged for two lightbulbs sent through the mail as part of the program.

“Allegheny Power accepts full responsibility for the customer confusion and delivery issues,” Allegheny President David Flitman wrote in response to a letter from members of the Western Maryland delegation of the General Assembly.

Allegheny sent 220,000 customers two energy-efficient bulbs, billing $11.52 for them in 12 monthly payments of 96 cents. The move prompted outrage and complaints to the state’s utilities agency, the Maryland Public Service Commission and the power company that the charges were not clearly explained.

Many customers believed the bulbs were free.

The letter, sent Friday by the delegation’s Chairman Delegate Bob McKee, said, “The manner in which this campaign was carried out has been and continues to be a public relations debacle for Allegheny Energy.”

Flitman — saying the company “has heard loud and clear the concerns” of lawmakers, the Public Service Commission, customers and media — wrote that the power company was working to address customer complaints.

Allegheny has been ordered to appear at a Wednesday hearing of the PSC to review and explain the program.

“We stand ready to take whatever corrective actions are deemed necessary by the commission,” Flitman stated.

Here’s the website for the Public Service Commission.

Lizfrog