Can I Get Out of a Business Energy Contract? (w/Examples) + FAQs

Yes, you can get out of a business energy contract — but the path forward depends on your contract terms, state regulations, and the reason you want out. Unlike residential customers, businesses operate in a non-regulated energy market where protections are limited and penalties can be steep.

Under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) § 2-302, courts can refuse to enforce contracts found to be “unconscionable.” Yet the practical reality is that most commercial energy agreements are legally binding the moment you sign. A 2025 survey by the Illinois Attorney General’s office found that some alternative energy suppliers charged businesses rates over 230% more than what those businesses would have paid under their default public utility rate.

Here is what you will learn in this article:

• ⚡ How early termination fees are calculated — and when you can avoid them entirely
• 🛡️ The rescission and cooling-off rights that may apply in your state (and why most businesses don’t have them)
• 🔄 How a “blend and extend” strategy can lower your rate without breaking your contract
• 🚨 What to do if you were slammed, defrauded, or mis-sold an energy contract
• 📋 Step-by-step instructions for filing complaints with state regulators like the PUCT, PUCO, and PA PUC

How Business Energy Contracts Work in Deregulated Markets

To understand how to get out of a business energy contract, you first need to understand how these contracts work. In the United States, 17 states plus Washington D.C. have deregulated electricity markets. This means the generation of electricity (the commodity) is separated from its delivery (the poles and wires). Your local utility still delivers power, but you choose which retail energy provider (REP) supplies it.

In deregulated states like Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and others, businesses can shop among competing energy suppliers. Texas alone has over 100 retail electric providers operating under oversight from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Ohio runs its competitive market through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), and Pennsylvania uses the PA PUC.

When a business signs a contract with an energy supplier, it is entering a commercial agreement governed by state contract law and, in many cases, the Uniform Commercial Code. The contract locks the business into a specific rate, term length, and set of conditions. Breaking that agreement triggers consequences that vary based on the contract language and the state where the business operates.

Regulated vs. Deregulated: Why It Matters

If your business is in a regulated state (like Florida or Alabama), you do not have the option to choose your supplier. Your utility handles everything. In these states, there is no separate supply contract to break — you simply pay the regulated rate.

In deregulated states, your contract is with a third-party supplier, not the local utility. The utility still delivers the electricity, but the supplier sets the rate and the contract terms. This distinction matters because the protections available to you depend on who you contracted with and what state rules apply.

Early Termination Fees: The Biggest Barrier

The single biggest obstacle to leaving a business energy contract is the early termination fee (ETF). These fees exist because suppliers pre-purchase energy through hedging strategies to manage price risk. When you break the contract, the supplier may need to sell that pre-purchased energy back into the market at a loss.

How ETFs Are Calculated

There are two major types of early termination fees in commercial energy contracts:

• Flat-rate ETF: A fixed dollar amount regardless of how much time is left. For example, $100 to $300, no matter if you cancel one month or 11 months early.
• Per-month or usage-based ETF: Calculated based on the remaining months multiplied by a per-month penalty (e.g., $25/month × 6 months = $150), or based on the cost of all remaining energy on the contract.

For larger commercial customers — like manufacturing plants, hospitals, or office towers consuming 50,000+ kWh per month — termination fees can equal the total cost of all unused energy remaining on the contract. This can reach tens of thousands of dollars.

The Market Price Difference Factor

Many commercial ETFs are not a flat number. Instead, they use a formula that accounts for the difference between your contracted rate and the current market price. If market rates have risen since you signed, your termination fee will be higher because the supplier is losing a favorable position. If market rates have fallen, the fee may shrink or, in rare cases, be waived entirely.

Here is what this looks like in practice:

When ETFs Do Not Apply

You may avoid early termination fees in the following situations:

• Relocation: Under PUCT Rule §25.475, a Texas REP cannot charge an early termination fee if the customer moves to another premises and provides a forwarding address and reasonable evidence of the move. Many other states have similar provisions.
• Site substitution: Some contracts allow you to transfer service to a new location within the same utility territory without triggering a termination fee.
• Contract transfer: If you sell your business, many suppliers will allow the new owner to assume the energy contract by completing transfer paperwork.
• Month-to-month contracts: Under PUCT rules, a month-to-month contract (31 days or less) may not contain a termination fee or penalty of any kind.

Rescission Periods and Cooling-Off Rights

One of the most important — and most misunderstood — aspects of business energy contracts is the cooling-off period. Here is the blunt truth: most business energy contracts do not come with a mandatory cooling-off period.

The Federal Cooling-Off Rule

The FTC’s Cooling-Off Rule (16 C.F.R. § 429) gives consumers three business days to cancel certain door-to-door sales of $25 or more. The seller must provide a cancellation form at the time of sale. This rule applies to consumer transactions — sales of goods or services for personal, family, or household purposes. It does not broadly cover business-to-business commercial energy contracts.

Texas: The Three-Day Rescission Right

Texas offers one of the strongest protections for business energy customers. Under PUCT Rule §25.475(f)(4)(A), retail electric providers must include a conspicuous and separate paragraph in the terms of service disclosing the customer’s right to rescind service without fee or penalty of any kind within three federal business days after receiving the terms of service, for switch requests. The terms of service must also include the phone number, fax number, or email address for rescission.

This is a powerful protection, but it has a narrow window. If a business owner signs a contract on Monday and receives the terms of service that same day, the rescission deadline is Thursday at midnight. Miss that window, and the contract becomes fully binding.

Ohio: The Seven-Day Cancellation Window

Ohio provides an even longer window. According to the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, after you sign with a new marketer, your local utility sends a confirmation notice. You can cancel within seven days of receiving that confirmation without penalties. This protection applies to both residential and small commercial customers.

Pennsylvania and Other States

In Pennsylvania, the PA PUC requires suppliers to follow specific enrollment verification procedures. While there is no broad statutory cooling-off period for all business contracts, businesses that were enrolled through deceptive practices can file complaints and seek contract cancellation. Other states have varying rules, and many provide no formal rescission period for commercial accounts at all.

The Auto-Renewal Trap

Auto-renewal clauses — sometimes called “evergreen” clauses — are one of the most common traps in business energy contracts. These provisions automatically lock your business into a new contract term unless you provide written notice of non-renewal within a specific window, often 30 to 90 days before the contract expires.

How Auto-Renewals Catch Businesses Off Guard

A typical auto-renewal clause reads: “This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless either party gives written notice of non-renewal at least 60 days before the end of the current term.” This language is legal and enforceable in most jurisdictions. Once you miss the opt-out deadline, you are bound to a new term — often at a higher rate.

Auto-renewals are expensive because the renewed rate is often less competitive than what you could get by shopping the market. And trying to exit an auto-renewed contract triggers the same early termination fees described above.

Example: The Restaurant That Got Locked In

Imagine Maria owns a restaurant in Houston. She signed a 24-month fixed-rate electricity contract at 9¢/kWh. Buried in her terms of service is a clause requiring 60 days’ notice before expiration to opt out of auto-renewal. Maria is busy running her restaurant and misses the deadline by two weeks. Her contract automatically renews for another 24 months at 13¢/kWh — the supplier’s default renewal rate. Maria now faces an estimated early termination fee of $4,800 to exit.

State Protections Against Auto-Renewals

Some states have enacted laws to protect businesses from the worst auto-renewal practices:

• Texas (PUCT): Under §25.475(e), REPs must send at least three written notices during the last third of a fixed-rate contract period. The final notice must arrive at least 14 days before expiration for small commercial customers. If the REP fails to send proper notice, it must continue serving the customer at the original fixed rate until compliant notice is provided.
• Wisconsin: Under Wis. Stat. § 134.49, sellers must disclose auto-renewal provisions at the time of contracting and provide a formal advance reminder notice before contracts renew for more than one year. Failure to comply makes the auto-renewal clause unenforceable. The law also prohibits “right to match” provisions in business contracts.
• New York: In May 2025, Governor Hochul signed amendments to New York’s Automatic Renewal Law that require clear disclosure of material terms, including price, frequency of charges, and cancellation procedures. Price increases now require either affirmative consent or a 14-day cancellation window with a pro-rata refund.

Slamming: When Your Contract Was Never Authorized

Slamming is the unauthorized switching of a customer’s energy provider without their informed consent. If your business was slammed, you were never legally bound to the new contract, and you have strong grounds to demand cancellation and a refund of any charges.

How Slamming Happens

Slamming tactics include fraudulent door-to-door sales, deceptive phone calls, and forged enrollment documents. In Pennsylvania, the Energy Cooperative reported a noticeable rise in door-to-door energy slamming in late 2025, with individuals posing as PECO representatives and switching accounts without permission.

In Ohio, the PUCO in 2025 proposed a $240,000 fine against SunSea Energy for altering quality control recordings, charging high variable rates, and enrolling consumers without authorization. The company’s certifications were paused, and it was ordered to stop enrolling new customers.

What to Do If You Were Slammed

1. Contact your original supplier immediately and request to be returned to your prior agreement.
2. Ask that all charges from the unauthorized switch be removed from your bill.
3. File a complaint with your state’s public utility commission:
   • Ohio: File online at puco.ohio.gov or call 1-800-686-7826. PUCO investigates slamming and can order the supplier to switch you back free of charge.
   • Pennsylvania: File online at puc.pa.gov or call 1-800-692-7380. Most informal complaints resolve within 30 days.
   • Texas: Contact the PUCT at 1-888-782-8477.
   • Illinois: File a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, which has actively sued and settled with deceptive suppliers.
4. Do not pay any early termination fees from the slamming company. Under Ohio rules, your account should be credited for any switching fees, and you should not be charged penalties by the slamming company.

Example: The Ohio Small Business That Was Slammed

Marcus owns a small printing shop in Columbus, Ohio. A door-to-door salesperson claiming to represent his utility asked to “verify” his electric bill. Marcus showed the bill, and the salesperson used the account number to enroll Marcus with a new supplier at a rate 40% higher than his existing contract. Marcus also received a $175 early termination fee from his original supplier for “breaking” the old contract. Marcus filed a complaint with the PUCO, which ordered the unauthorized supplier to reverse the switch at no cost and credited the $175 termination fee back to his account.

The Blend and Extend Strategy

If your reason for wanting out of a contract is that energy prices have dropped, the blend and extend approach may be your best move. This strategy lets you renegotiate your rate without breaking the contract — and without paying early termination fees.

How It Works

The blend and extend strategy combines two elements:

• Blending: Your supplier averages your current contracted rate with today’s lower market rate to create a new “blended” rate. This rate falls somewhere between your old rate and the new market rate.
• Extending: In exchange for the lower rate, you agree to extend your contract term beyond the original end date — typically by 12 to 24 additional months.

Think of it like refinancing a mortgage. You get a lower monthly payment, but you commit to the loan for a longer period.

Example: The Warehouse That Saved $18,000

David operates a 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Dallas that uses about 80,000 kWh per month. He signed a 36-month contract at 11¢/kWh. Eighteen months in, the market rate drops to 8¢/kWh. Instead of paying a $12,000 early termination fee to break his contract, David negotiates a blend and extend.

David saves immediately, avoids termination fees, and locks in a rate that is still below his original contract price.

Force Majeure: When Extraordinary Events Excuse Performance

A force majeure clause provides a way out of a contract when extraordinary, unforeseeable events make performance impossible. Common force majeure events include natural disasters, wars, pandemics, government actions, and severe weather events.

When Force Majeure Applies to Energy Contracts

Force majeure clauses in energy contracts vary widely between different types of agreements. In the landmark case of J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corp. v. Miami Wind I, LLC, the Manhattan Commercial Division examined whether Winter Storm Uri in 2021 triggered force majeure provisions in energy hedge agreements. The court held that not every storm triggers force majeure — the event must be specifically anticipated by the clause, be beyond the claiming party’s control, and be impossible to overcome through due diligence.

Force majeure generally does not apply when performance simply becomes more expensive. As K&L Gates noted, “Even where a party’s performance becomes unduly expensive, force majeure is not usually implicated.”

The Key Questions

Before relying on a force majeure clause to exit your energy contract, determine:

• Does your contract contain a force majeure clause? Not all contracts do.
• Does the clause specifically list the event you are experiencing?
• Is the event truly beyond your control and not the result of your own negligence?
• Have you taken all reasonable steps to mitigate the impact?
• Did you provide proper notice to the other party as required by the clause?

Breach of Contract and Unconscionability Claims

If your supplier has failed to meet its obligations — for example, by charging rates not disclosed in the contract, failing to deliver agreed-upon service, or changing terms without proper notice — you may have grounds to claim breach of contract.

UCC Protections

Under UCC § 2-302, a court may refuse to enforce a contract, or any clause within it, that it finds to be unconscionable. Unconscionability requires a showing that the contract is both:

• Procedurally unconscionable: Problems with the contract formation process, such as a lack of meaningful choice, high-pressure sales tactics, or failure to explain material terms.
• Substantively unconscionable: The contract terms themselves are unreasonably one-sided or oppressive.

In the seminal New York case of Gillman v. Chase Manhattan Bank, the Court of Appeals established that the unconscionability doctrine exists “to prevent sophisticated parties with grossly unequal bargaining power from taking advantage of less sophisticated parties.” Courts have increasingly found contracts unenforceable for a wider range of reasons, including one-sided terms, lack of disclosure, and high-pressure tactics.

Liquidated Damages vs. Penalties

Your contract’s early termination fee is a form of liquidated damages — a pre-agreed estimate of the supplier’s losses if you breach the contract. Under Texas law, as summarized in FPL Energy v. TXU Portfolio Management Co., a liquidated damages clause is enforceable only if: (1) the harm caused by the breach is difficult to estimate, and (2) the amount is a reasonable forecast of just compensation. If a court determines the ETF is excessive or punitive, it may be struck down as an unenforceable penalty.

Mistakes to Avoid

Many business owners make avoidable errors when trying to exit an energy contract. Each of these mistakes has a specific negative consequence.

• Switching suppliers without checking your current contract first. If you enroll with a new supplier while still under contract, your original supplier will automatically bill you an early termination fee. The new supplier will not pay this fee for you.
• Ignoring auto-renewal deadlines. Missing the cancellation window by even a single day locks you into a full new term. Set calendar reminders at least 90 days before your contract end date and include all relevant stakeholders: operations, finance, and procurement.
• Showing your utility bill to door-to-door salespeople. Your bill contains your account number, which is all a bad actor needs to switch your supplier without further authorization. Never share your bill or account number with anyone unless you intend to switch.
• Failing to read the “Material Changes” clause. This is the supplier’s fallback protection. If your usage changes “materially” and negatively impacts the supplier, this clause gives them the right to impose penalties, reprice your rates, or terminate the agreement — regardless of other contract terms.
• Assuming you can cancel because prices dropped. Lower market prices alone do not give you the right to exit a fixed-rate contract. The supplier locked in that price through hedging, and you agreed to it. Your best option in this situation is the blend and extend strategy.
• Not consulting an energy broker or attorney before canceling. An experienced broker has relationships with suppliers and knowledge of market conditions that can help you negotiate a better outcome — or avoid termination fees entirely.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Do read every page of your contract before signing, including the terms of service, Electricity Facts Label (EFL), and any addenda.
• Do calendar the contract end date and the auto-renewal opt-out deadline from the moment you sign.
• Do negotiate the termination fee clause before you sign. Ask for a flat-fee cap or a reduced per-month penalty.
• Do request “site substitution” language that lets you transfer the contract if you move locations within the same utility territory.
• Do file a complaint with your state’s utility commission if you were slammed, defrauded, or if the supplier violated its own contract.

Don’ts

• Don’t sign a contract under pressure from a door-to-door or phone salesperson without reviewing it in full.
• Don’t assume a verbal promise from a broker or salesperson will be honored if it is not in the written contract.
• Don’t ignore contract expiration notices — they are your signal to shop for a better deal.
• Don’t break your contract without first calculating the full cost of early termination versus the savings you expect from switching.
• Don’t overlook the “material changes” clause — it can override every other protection in your agreement.

Pros and Cons of Exiting a Business Energy Contract Early

Pros

• Lower energy costs: If market rates have fallen, exiting and signing a new contract could save thousands per year.
• Better terms: A new contract may come with fewer restrictions, shorter terms, or more favorable auto-renewal provisions.
• Escape from a bad supplier: If you are experiencing billing errors, poor customer service, or deceptive practices, leaving is worth the cost.
• Operational flexibility: Exiting a contract tied to a location you are leaving lets you start fresh at your new premises.
• Leverage for negotiation: The threat of leaving may prompt your current supplier to offer a blend and extend or other concession.

Cons

• Early termination fees can be massive. For large commercial users, ETFs can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
• Legal exposure. The supplier may pursue a breach of contract claim, which could result in legal fees on top of the ETF.
• Time and effort. Filing complaints, negotiating with suppliers, or pursuing legal remedies takes time away from running your business.
• Credit risk. Some suppliers report unpaid termination fees to business credit agencies, which can affect your creditworthiness.
• No guarantee of savings. Even if market rates are lower now, they may rise again before you lock in a new contract.

Step-by-Step: How to Exit Your Business Energy Contract

Here is a practical process for businesses that want to explore their exit options:

1. Pull out your contract and locate the terms of service, EFL, and any addenda. Identify the contract end date, auto-renewal clause, early termination fee provision, and material changes clause.
2. Calculate your early termination fee. Use the formula in your contract — whether flat-rate, per-month, or market-based — to estimate the total cost of exiting now.
3. Check for a rescission period. If you signed within the last few days, you may still be within a three-day rescission window (Texas) or a seven-day cancellation window (Ohio).
4. Determine if you were slammed or mis-sold. If you did not knowingly consent to the contract, gather your evidence and file a complaint with your state utility commission.
5. Explore the blend and extend option. Contact your current supplier and ask if they will renegotiate your rate in exchange for an extended term.
6. Negotiate directly. Even if the contract language seems airtight, suppliers sometimes waive or reduce termination fees to maintain the business relationship — especially if you are moving locations or can substitute a new site.
7. Consult a professional. An energy broker or attorney can review your contract, identify weaknesses in the supplier’s position, and negotiate on your behalf.
8. File a regulatory complaint if necessary. If the supplier violated its own contract, engaged in deceptive practices, or failed to provide required notices, file a complaint with the PUCT, PUCO, PA PUC, or your state attorney general.

Key Entities and Organizations You Should Know

Navigating a business energy contract dispute means dealing with specific agencies, organizations, and regulatory bodies. Understanding who does what — and how they relate to one another — can save you time and frustration.

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)

The PUCT is the state agency that regulates retail electric providers in Texas. It enforces customer protection rules under Chapter 25 of its Substantive Rules, including rescission rights, contract expiration notice requirements, and anti-slamming provisions. If you are a business customer in the ERCOT market and your REP violates these rules, the PUCT is where you file your complaint.

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)

The PUCO certifies competitive retail electric service (CRES) providers and investigates complaints about slamming, billing errors, and contract disputes. PUCO has actively pursued enforcement actions, including the proposed $240,000 fine against SunSea Energy in 2025 for altering recordings and enrolling consumers without authorization. Businesses can file complaints online at puco.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-686-7826.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC)

The PA PUC oversees licensed electric generation suppliers in Pennsylvania’s deregulated market. It handles both informal complaints (resolved within about 30 days) and formal complaints (which involve an administrative law judge and may take six months or more). Businesses must be represented by an attorney when filing formal complaints.

State Attorneys General

Your state attorney general plays a critical role in combating energy fraud. The Illinois Attorney General’s office has been particularly aggressive, filing lawsuits against multiple alternative retail electric suppliers including Direct Energy, Spark Energy, Residents Energy, and Southeast Energy Consultants. The HEAT Act (Home Energy Affordability and Transparency Act), which went into effect in Illinois in January 2020, gave the AG’s office stronger tools to shut down deceptive suppliers and return money to harmed consumers.

ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas)

ERCOT manages the electric grid for most of Texas. While ERCOT does not directly handle consumer complaints, it is the organization that processes enrollment switches between retail electric providers. When a supplier enrolls your business with ERCOT, that enrollment triggers the switch. If you were slammed, ERCOT records can help prove the switch was unauthorized.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC enforces the Cooling-Off Rule for door-to-door sales and has testified before Congress about consumer protection issues in deregulated electricity markets. The FTC warned as early as 1999 that deregulation could lead to practices like slamming and cramming — placing unauthorized charges on a customer’s bill — in the energy sector, mirroring problems already seen in telecom.

The “Material Changes” Clause: A Hidden Risk

One of the most overlooked provisions in a commercial energy contract is the material changes clause. This clause acts as the supplier’s ultimate fallback protection. It states that if your usage changes “materially” and negatively impacts the supplier, the supplier can impose penalties, reprice your rates, or even terminate the agreement — regardless of anything else in the contract.

What Counts as a “Material Change”?

The definition varies by contract, but common triggers include:

• A significant increase or decrease in your monthly electricity usage (e.g., closing a production line, adding a second shift)
• Closing one or more locations in a multi-site agreement
• Changes in your load profile that affect the supplier’s wholesale purchasing strategy

The problem is that many contracts leave the definition of “material” intentionally vague. This gives the supplier broad discretion to invoke the clause.

How to Protect Yourself

You are unlikely to get a supplier to remove this clause entirely. Instead, negotiate to narrow the definition of “material change” so that it includes specific thresholds — for example, a usage change of more than 20% from the contracted baseline. Get the supplier to define the threshold in writing so there are no surprises.

Real-World Scenarios: Three Common Exit Situations

Scenario 1: The Business That Relocated

Situation: A dental practice in Pittsburgh signs a 36-month electricity contract with a competitive supplier. After 14 months, the practice moves to a new office across town — still within the same utility territory (Duquesne Light).

Best move: Contact the supplier before the move and request a site substitution. Most suppliers allow this if the new location is within the same utility footprint.

Scenario 2: The Business That Was Locked Into a Bad Auto-Renewal

Situation: A car wash in Columbus, Ohio has a 24-month electricity contract that expires in March. The contract requires 60 days’ notice to opt out of auto-renewal. The owner realizes on February 15 — just 14 days before the March 1 deadline — that the contract is about to renew at a rate 30% higher than current market rates.

Best move: Even if the opt-out window has closed, call the supplier and negotiate. Suppliers would rather keep your business at a slightly lower rate than lose you entirely.

Scenario 3: The Business That Was Mis-Sold a Contract

Situation: A bakery in Chicago receives a call from someone claiming to represent ComEd (the local utility). The caller offers a “special discounted rate” and pressures the owner to confirm her account number. Weeks later, the bakery’s bill arrives from a supplier the owner has never heard of — at a rate 50% higher than her ComEd default rate.

Best move: File the complaint immediately. The Illinois AG has successfully sued and settled with multiple deceptive suppliers, recovering millions in restitution for consumers.

FAQs

Can I cancel a business energy contract within three days of signing?

Yes, in Texas, PUCT Rule §25.475 grants three federal business days to rescind a switch request without penalty. Ohio allows seven days after utility confirmation. Other states may have no rescission period for commercial contracts.

Do business energy contracts have a cooling-off period like residential contracts?

No, in most states. Unlike residential customers, businesses do not benefit from a statutory cooling-off period. Once a business contract is agreed to, it is typically immediately binding unless state-specific rules apply.

Can I avoid early termination fees if I move my business?

Yes, in many cases. Under PUCT rules, no ETF applies if you relocate and provide a forwarding address and evidence of the move. Check your contract for similar provisions in other states.

What is slamming in the energy industry?

Yes, slamming is a real and illegal practice. It is the unauthorized switching of your energy provider without your consent, and you can file a complaint with your state utility commission to reverse it.

Will I still get electricity if I break my contract?

Yes. Breaking a supply contract does not cut your power. Your local utility continues delivering electricity regardless of which supplier you use. You may be placed on a default service rate until you select a new supplier.

Can I sue my energy supplier for breach of contract?

Yes, if the supplier failed to meet its obligations, changed terms without proper notice, or engaged in deceptive practices, you may have grounds under state contract law or UCC § 2-302 for unconscionability.

Is a blend and extend better than breaking my contract?

Yes, in most cases. A blend and extend lowers your rate without triggering termination fees, though it requires committing to a longer contract term.

What happens if my supplier doesn’t send auto-renewal notices?

Yes, this helps you. In Texas, if a REP fails to provide required expiration notices, it must continue serving the customer at the original fixed rate until proper notice is given. In Wisconsin, failure to send reminder notices makes the auto-renewal clause unenforceable.

Can I file a complaint with the state attorney general?

Yes. The Illinois Attorney General sued and settled with Direct Energy for $12 million over allegations of deceptively enrolling consumers and charging rates over 230% higher than default utility rates. Your state AG may have similar enforcement authority.

Should I hire an energy broker to help me exit a contract?

Yes, an experienced broker understands market conditions and supplier relationships and can often negotiate reduced termination fees or a favorable blend and extend on your behalf.