Archive for National Power Company
National Power Company Assessed PUCT Violation Fees
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On October 8 2009 the PUCT filed a report detailing the fees and violations that National Power Company were assessed for several violations against the Texas state government and Texas retail electric customers. Below is a list of some of the PUCT rules the state has said National broke during their short lived time as one of the lowest priced electricity companies in Texas last summer.
Notice of violation concerning the assessment of administrative penalties and other related relief against National Power Company Inc. (National) for violations in the State of Texas of the following Public Utility Commission of Texas Substantive Rules Applicable to Electric Service Providers: P.U.C. Subst. R. 25.107(f)(2), related to Financial Standards Required for Customer Protection; P.U.C. Subst. R. 25.107(i)(8), related to Requirements for Reporting and for Changing Terms of a REP Certificate; P.U.C. Subst. R. 25.478(j)(2), related to Refunding Deposits and Voiding Letters of Guarantee; and P.U.C. Subst. R. 25.43(n)(7), related to Transition of Customer to POLR Service.
You can read the actual PUCT report by clicking here.
National failed to respond to the Notice of Violation (NOV) to National detailing the rules that were violated and recommending the assessment of adminstrative penalties. The notice was sent by certified mail on August 4 and 5 2009. National Power never showed up for the hearing at the PUCT office making it very easy for the PUCT to go ahead with fees and penalties totalling close to $2,000,000. If a retail electricity provider shows facing penalties simply shows up to a PUCT hearing the PUCT will usually substantially lower their penalties and fees however we assume National Power never plans on paying any fee whatsoever which is why they did a no show.
One of the reasons National Power was hit with these astronomical PUCT violations fees has to do with never paying their customers back the deposits they gave National last summer. It is over a year later and electricity service customers never received deposits that could have ranged anywhere from $200 – $600 a customer. TThe PUCT stated that not paying a customer back their deposit is among the most serious offenses that a Texas retail electric provider can commit, causing economic harm to customers who, in this case, may well have been required to pay another deposit by the POLR or another REP from which the customer chose. Consequently, a high penalty is warranted to deter this behavior. The offenses in this case were exacerbated by National’s failure to respond to repeated inquiries and requests for information by the Commission staff over a period of over a year.
National Power faced a fiercely agitated customer base when they attempted to raise their customers fixed electricity rates in the summer of 2008 which happened to be the cheapest among all Texas electricity providers at the time. The idea of a too good to be true electricity rate really started to make a little sense when their customers began to fight back by contacting the PUCT and leaving customer reviews about National on this National Power article. After over 300 disgruntled customer comments related to the attempt to change their fixed rate National Power sort of disappeared and the PUCT could no longer reach anyone with the company after repeated attempts spanning a year.
We called it, National Power is Going out of Business
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Many people may remember a few months ago we saw Riverway Power Company and National Power Company with outstanding low electric rates on the Power to Choose website. They were for 6 month and 12 month fixed electric rate terms and were a couple cents cheaper then the other electric providers. The government Power to Choose website gives any company listed on their a bit of authority as many people including myself assume that the rate must be accurate if the Texas government lists it on their site. This however has not been proven to be true as these two companies sold one thing and then a few months later told their customers, “Sorry looks like we will have to raise that “fixed rate” on you a few cents higher.”
This rate hike on a supposedly fixed electric rate had a huge backlash as their energy customers contacted about every consumer protection agency in existence telling them they had been dupped in a bait and switch scheme by a Texas electric provider. The Public Utility Commission of Texas did not take this lightly but instead abruptly took these two electric companies rates off their website. The PUCT made National Power honor their original fixed electric rate they offered their customers and as of today they have gone out of business. Up until National Power went out of business they were asking customers to stay with them as they would be honoring the original advertised electric rate. Now National Power customers are left searching for another electric provider when the Texas electricity market is close to an all time historical high.
If you would like to sign up with a low cost reputable electric provider we recommend Startex Power’s Discount 12 month fixed electric rate: Sign up Here!  Startex Power has a variable electric rate and many different short and long term fixed electric rates: Sign up with Startex Power!
Many people question if the exact same thing is going to happen to Riverway Power Company and their customers.
The official notice of their filing to go out of business is in the below Electric Reliability of Texas communication.
________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE DATE: May 27, 2008
DAY AFFECTED: May 28, 2008
LONG DESCRIPTION: National Power Company Inc. (NPC), a Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) and a Load Serving Entity (LSE) in the ERCOT Region, has informed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) that NPC will be unable to comply with its obligations under the Standard Form Market Participant Agreement as of Close of Business on May 27, 2008. As such, NPC has asked ERCOT to proceed with a Mass Transition event pursuant to the ERCOT Protocols and Retail Market Guide.
Pursuant to Protocol Section 15.1.3, Mass Transition, and Retail Market Guide (RMG) Section 7.11, Mass Customer Transition Process, ERCOT will begin the Mass Transition of NPC’s Customers to the Providers of Last Resort (POLRs) on May 28, 2008.
The size of the associated Load is approximately 616 MWhs per day and the total number of ESI IDs involved is approximately 15,163.
ERCOT has been working closely with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and affected Market Participants to ensure an efficient and effective transfer of customers.
ERCOT’s Legal Department is also available should your entity’s legal department have any specific questions. You may reach Chad V. Seely (cseely@ercot.com) at (512) 225 – 7035.
DP/DG
National Power Company
Posted by: | CommentsRecent Blog Commentor Sheds New Light on National Power Company
A recent commentor to the blog as of September 2008 has made a claim that the people responsible for owning and operating NPC are the same people who own and operate “W Financial Services”. What gets interesting is after searching google for “W Financial Group” I found an article from the Securities and Exchange Commission that shows charges filed against, W Financial Group LLC or WFG for short, for defrauding 182 mostly elderly investors of their retirement savings totalling 17.9 million dollars. The charges go on to claim that WFG used those millions to purchase the majority stake in a Texas electric company. The blog commentor made the connection that both National Power Company and WFG were located at the same address. This seems to be a legitimate connection showing that National Power Company is one and the same company that defrauded 182 investors through the company, W Financial Group. You can read the SEC Charges here filed April 2008: W Financial Group LLC Charges by SEC
National Power Company
National Power company back in February 2008 was offering a 12 month electric rate plan at 11 cents\kwh for a 12 month fixed rate. This electric rate looked fantastic when comparing it to the other Texas electric providers. The rate included all pole and wires charges and had no monthly customer charge. In most cases they do not appear to require a credit check or deposit if you accept auto e-bill pay. What this means is the electric company will automatically deduct the amount owed on your Texas electric bill from a credit card or bank account. National Power also offered a variable 1 month electric rate at 10.5 cents kWh. The rate goes up after the first month and the previous two months regarding the variable electric rate are not disclosed.
Notice Regarding NPC’s Fixed and Variable Electric Rates
We have since learned that National Power Company has been raising their fixed electric rates on their customers after a few months of being on what the customer thought was the lowest fixed electric rate going. This has caused a fury of disgruntled National Power customers calling and emailing the Attorney General of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to investigate what appears to be a clear case of Bait and Switch from the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
An article on Dallas News referenced a high profile customer of NPC, Steve Wolens, (Former Texas legislator who wrote the electricity deregulation laws, which allowed electric market participants to set their own rates) who was quoted as saying,
Give me a break, this is not a material change
As of May 2008 they show a 12 month fixed rate on the Power To Choose website at 14.7 cents a kilowatt hour.
Special Deal for National Power Company Customers
If you are a National Power customer and have had your fixed electric rate raised on you we have a special discount with a good solid electric provider in Texas by the name of Startex Power. Startex electric company has never reneged on an energy agreement and has a very straightforward fixed rate plan. The discount code is built into the link giving you a cheaper rate then what they normally advertise. Startex properly hedges their energy with their large capital base insuring they will never need to pass on a market price spike to the customer. Smaller electric companies like National Power Company, Riverway Power, and a few others pass these “fuel factor” price spikes on to the customer. Sign up on Startex Energy’s fixed discount rate plan here: Sign up Now! If you would like to speak with someone before signing up please call one of our Texas energy consultants who would be happy to answer your questions.
Feel free to call us at 1-800-971-4020 with any questions.
Update on National Power Company:
Someone called me today (May 9 2008) that locked in on the 12 month fixed electric rate with National Power Company back in February 2008 and said he received a letter in the mail saying that his rate of 11 cents a kilowatt hour would no longer be honored but he would now have to pay 15 cents a kwh if he wanted to stay with them. He was promised a 12 month fixed electric rate but this electric provider adjusted it on him and their reason was that the rate plan was a “plan” and not a “contract”. Anyone considering switching to National Power Company should be warned that they do not always honor their fixed electric rate contracts according to this customer. Supporting documentation and evidence have been reported to The Attorney General of Texas, Gregg Abbot and the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
I tried calling them today (Monday May 12th 2008) and their phone support would not answer. I have not been able to get through all day long. They should have to pay me an early termination penalty for cancelling my contract! I am filing a complaint with the BBB and the Attorney General of Texas. This is a clear case of “Bait and Switch” from the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. -April
Update as of May 16 2008
The Public Utility Commission has somehow convinced National Power Company to honor their fixed electric rates with their customers. Way to go guys. You rallied together on the internet and your large voice was heard by those who needed to here. It was pretty amazing to see just how quickly things turned in the consumers favor. This is how it should be. A new Texas electric company has recently filed for bankruptcy because of not hedging their energy correctly in the face of high electric prices and fuel costs. Prebuy Electric Company is now bankrupt which could be the fate of both National Power and Riverway Power if they are not able to swallow the additional energy costs they did not plan ahead for. As of June 4 2008 another electric provider called Etricity has gone out of business as well for not being able to meet their financial obligations to ERCOT. All of Etricity’s customers who paid a $300 deposit will never see it again and will have to go shopping for rates during some of the highest prices the Texas energy market has ever seen.
Comparable Electric Rate To National Power Electric Company
A low cost alternative electric rate offer to National Power Company would be with Startex Power or Champion Energy. Startex Power offers the cheapest fixed rate price and has similar variable electric rates per kWh as National Power but they manage it properly. The last two months in regards to the variable electric rate are disclosed on their site. Startex also has the cheapest available fixed rates like the popular 12 month fixed rate term. You can learn more about the Startex Promo Rate here: Startex Power Promo Rate For a 12 month fixed electric rate we recommend Startex Energy as your low cost option. Click here to learn more.
National Power Company Detailed Review
National Power over the last several months has been shown to have some of the very lowest Texas electric rates in comparison to the other energy providers when comparing on the state power to choose website. We were initially impressed by their low rates and even wrote about their energy rate (free advertising to National Power) stating what a great low rate they had in comparison to the other retail electric providers. Since this time we have received call after call with people stating they cannot get through to their customer service desk when calling, others state that the company just hangs up on them when they call. Why is the company as of May 2008 being so unresponsive? National Power has been changing their fixed electric rate contracts when commodities like natural gas go up unlike many other providers who properly hedge their energy and offer a truly fixed electric rate that will not change the entire term of the fixed plan.
A couple of low cost providers that have never pulled a stunt like this are Startex Power and Green Mountain Energy. Both companies are highly ethical companies with accurate billing, good customer service and low rates. Startex has a good online discounted 12 month fixed rate provided you sign up online and Startex has some good longer term and shorter term fixed rate options as well.
Several Fake Positive Comments
It appears National Power has responded to their customers complaints in positive comments left as truly satisfied customers from their office ip address. It appears no real customer was available to leave a positive comment so they made up their own. Read below to find the positive comments coming from their company ip address. They seem to be acting like genuine satisfied customers. Pretty funny stuff!
Company: NATIONAL POWER COMPANY, INC.
Website:
Service Area: Entire Texas
Customer Type:
Track No: EL050015
Type: Corporation Status: Active
Note:
National Power Company Mailing Address
Primary: Company / Physical
NATIONAL POWER COMPANY, INC.
616 FM 1960 ROAD WEST
SUITE 700
HOUSTON, TX 77090
Main: 281-377-7570
Alt: –
Fax: 281-377-0913
Email: RMackert1@aol.com
National Power Company Physical Address
NATIONAL POWER COMPANY, INC.
616 FM 1960 RD. WEST
SUITE 700
HOUSTON, TX 77090
Main: 281-377-7570
Alt: 832-630-6495
Fax: 713-715-6953
Email: rhunter@nationalpowerco.com; jfrazier@nationalpowerco.com; lwilliams@nationalpowerco.com; jtorres@nationalpowerco.com
National Power Company SB Fund Contact
NATIONAL POWER COMPANY, INC.
616 FM 1960 RD WEST
SUITE 700
HOUSTON, TX 77090
Main: 281-377-7570
Alt: –
Fax: 281-377-0045
Email: JFRAZIER@NATIONALPOWERCO.COM
National Power Co. SB Fund Address
National Power Company, Inc.
616 FM 1960 Rd West
Suite 700
Houston, TX 77090
Main: –
Alt: –
Fax: –
Email:
National Power Company / Physical Address
NATIONAL POWER COMPANY, INC.
616 FM 1960 RD. WEST
SUITE 700
HOUSTON, TX 77090
Main: 281-377-7570
Alt: –
Fax: 713-715-6953
Email: rhunter@nationalpowerco.com; jfrazier@nationalpowerco.com; lwilliams@nationalpowerco.com; jtorres@nationalpowerco.com
Associated Names for National Power Co
NATIONALPOWERCOMPANY.COM
NPC POWER MARKETER
Identification Numbers : Including REP Certificate Number for National Power Co.
——————————————————————————–
Certificate: 10106
Type: REP
Date: 04/08/2005
Note:
Filings: Certification
30813
Type: DOCKET
Date: 03/02/2005
Note: Application for REP Certificate
Filings: New
Update
National Power is now out of business as reported by the Electric Relaibility Council on May 26 2008. If you are a customer with this electric provider you will be automatically switched to the provider of last resort by the Texas government. The POLR rate is a much higher rate and you must begin shopping for more affordable electric rates or risk paying a much higher energy rate then you may have ever anticipated on having to do. National Power’s scheme of locking in their customers on the lowest rate in the market and then trying to raise it just didn’t work out for them did it? Several other electric companies in Texas have had to raise their electric rates or go out of business as of late. Riverway Power, Pre-Buy Electric, Etricity, Hwy 3, and Dynowatt are just a few of these Texas electric providers that customers have complained about on this site. Each of these companies have since received several complaints filed by their customers to the PUCT of Texas.
Texas Deregulated Cities Offering Multiple Electric Rate Choices
National Power Company has a very good 6 month rate
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National Power company today on www.powertochoose.org shows a great 6 month electricity rate of 12.1 cents kwh (As of June 1 2007). If you were to sign up today (June 1 2007) your term would expire in November giving you the opportunity to sign up while the weather is mild. This could possibly mean that there could be energy surpluses in November while natural gas is not being used as much by heaters or air conditioning. Because of energy surpluses you usually see natural gas and electricity prices come down some during these times. This of course is not guaranteed but for those who like to roll the dice and get in on market timing, now would be a good time with National Power Company. Their 6 month rate is 12.1 cents per kwh but don’t cancel as the early termination fee is $300.
Update
We Have Since Learned That National Power Company Has Been Reneging on their fixed electric rate contracts. The old adage, “if it seems to good to be true it probably is”, apply’s here. We have had over 100 disastified customers call or email us letting us know that National Power Company has cancelled their different fixed term contracts whether it be a 6 month rate, 12 month, 18 month they were cancelled this summer May 2008. Apparently National Power Co. does not hedge their energy so if the market does not go their way they pass that on to the customer.
You can read the whole fiasco on our main blurb about National Power Company here: NationalPowerco.com
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