Amigo Energy raised rate ridiculously high with no notice Houston Texas

I selected Amigo Energy as my Retail Electric Provider (REP) in the Houston, TX area in February 2007. I chose a month-to-month variable rate plan, which was advertised at just under 11 cents per killowatt hour. Over the next fourteen months, the rate stayed more or less the same, but slowly started to creep up to around 15 cents per KWh by May 2008, when I put in an order to switch to a new provider.

My 2nd to last bill with Amigo, they were charging 15.29 cents per KWh. I just received my final bill, and they are charging 24.69 cents per KWh, an increase of 61% - in ONE MONTH WITH NO NOTICE!

On the very same day that my bill arrived, I went on powertochoose.org, the state's REP comparison website, where Amigo is advertising a fixed rate plan of 18 cents per KWh. I'm certainly glad I locked in a lower rate with another company, but not in enough time to keep from being drilled by Amigo.

When I called customer service to complain today, I was told "the computer is down" and that I'd have to call back in an hour. I plan on calling back and will update this post if I can. In the meantime I'll be making some other calls - such as to my state legislators and the Texas Public Utility Commission. I understand the need to pass on rising energy costs, but this is ludicrous.

Zack
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.