FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2001

Toll Free Number

 800-684-6560

 (PA only)

CONTACT: Susan Henry, Consumer Liaison; e-mail: shenry@paoca.org

HARRISBURG - Consumer Advocate Sonny Popowsky announced today that Utility.com, Inc., an electric generation supplier with headquarters in Emeryville, California, will be refunding approximately $70,000 to over 1000 of its former electric generation customers. Utility.com was licensed to provide electric generation service in Pennsylvania, but went out of business in early March 2001. The Office of Consumer Advocate filed a complaint for refunds against Utility.com with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on behalf of Pennsylvania Utility.com customers who were entitled to refunds when their service was terminated.

Refund checks are being sent in intervals, depending upon when Utility.com received final usage information from the Pennsylvania electric utility companies. Most of the first group of refund recipients reside in Duquesne Light Company and Allegheny Energy territories. Refund checks to customers residing in other utility service areas, such as PECO, PPL, UGI Electric and GPU, are expected to be issued within the next several weeks, as final bills are calculated.

If former Utility.com customers have questions, they can call the PA Office of Consumer Advocate at (800) 684-6560, e-mail consumer@paoca.org; or visit www.oca.state.pa.us for frequently asked questions about Utility.com. The toll-free number is open 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. The OCA is authorized by state law to represent the interest of Pennsylvania consumers in cases involving utility services before the Public Utility Commission and other agencies and courts.