Md. Probes Energy Suppliers Amid Cost Complaints

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Public Service Commission says it's investigating five retail energy suppliers amid customer complaints about high gas and electricity bills last winter.

One of the companies, Major Energy Services of Orangeburg, N.Y., said Tuesday it didn't do anything wrong. It says its rates were in line with the marketplace.

The others didn't immediately respond to queries from The Associated Press.

Customers complained of misrepresentations about variable rate contracts. They also complained of what the commission calls "unexpected and drastic" price increases.

The other companies under investigation are American Power Partners of Williamsville, N.Y.; Blue Pilot Energy of Las Vegas; XOOM Energy of Charlotte, N.C.; and U.S. Gas & Electric and Energy Services Providers of White Plains, N.Y.

The companies compete with regulated utilities under Maryland's retail choice program.