Houghtaling Bill to Prevent 'Slamming' Practice Clears Assembly

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling to strengthen state law against energy "slamming" practices was approved Thursday by the Assembly. Energy "slamming" is a practice that involves changing consumers' electric power or gas supplier without their knowledge or consent.

"In the past year, certain third-party energy suppliers took advantage of an unusually cold winter to change consumers' energy suppliers without their knowledge or consent," said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). "Energy slamming is anti-consumerism at its best and it impacts families in a way that hurts them the most, their budgets. This legislation takes a much needed step to protect residents from this unfair business practice."

The bill (A-1683) would increase civil penalties for energy "slamming" practiced from $10,000 for the first offense, and not more than $25,000 for the second and each subsequent offense, to $20,000 for the first offense, and not more than $50,000 for the second and each subsequent offense.

The bill will now be referred to the Senate.