Since Summit Utilities took over natural gas provider Centerpoint Energy/Arkla, some customers have not been too happy.
They say gas prices have gone sky high while service has dropped.
Summit serves about 400,000 customers in Arkansas and is provider for our city. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin says his office has received thousands of calls complaining about Summit increasing gas prices as well as billing issue. So he launched a Public Service Commission investigation. The probe is ongoing.
Late last year, Summit suspended late fees and disconnections for those behind on their gas bill. But on Tuesday the company announced that respite would end in July and it would be back to business as usual.
Or maybe not. AG Griffin has filed a motion to stop the move.
"Today, I am filing a motion with the Public Service Commission opposing Summit's plan to resume the charging of late fees and disconnecting gas service until the investigations are complete or until an alternative date set by the Public Service Commission based upon information gathered during the investigations," Griffin said Friday. "It is too soon to reinstitute late fees and shutoffs based upon what we know at this time."
We agree. We don't know whether Summit is in the right or wrong on this. But there are enough complaints to warrant a probe. And in our view, already-struggling customers shouldn't face late fee or cutoffs until the PSC has made a determination.