LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A temporary restraining order was filed against Summit Utilities on Friday.
The action, which was filed by two Arkansans on behalf of themselves and other customers, states that a temporary until customers and Summit Utilities are able to meet in court.
"That order if it's granted would be in effect for 14 days, in which time hopefully the court can get the parties in front of the court to make further decisions regarding that order," said Scott Poynter, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
If the restraining order is allowed, then customers would be permitted to forego their monthly gas bills without losing their natural gas service.
The restraining order points to three key factors as to why a hold on payment should happen:
- Price gouging: Overcharging customers with "excessive" monthly bills that have ranged between "two to ten times" the amount of previous monthly payments.
- Poor customer service: Services both online and on-phone are "inadequate." Customers state line wait times and "poor online service."
- Poor payment accounting: Lack of records when it comes to payments through autopay or direct payment.
"The problem seems to stem from the transition and integration of Summit’s billing and metering systems and processes with the previous provider CenterPoint Energy," it was said in the temporary restraining order.
This temporary restraining order comes after Summit Utilities received a class action lawsuit due to accusations of "price-gouging" and "substantially over-billing" customers.
The action states that customers are facing a looming payment of their gas bill on March 13 with "no assurance that [the] sums of money will be refunded or credited in some way once it is determined the demanded monthly billing amounts by Summit were grossly excessive."
With this upcoming payment continuing to approach, the action states Summit customers have exhibited an "immediate and irreparable loss," which is in line with Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure.