西澳大利亚州能源公司对客户收费过高; 协同效应导致超额收费40万加元,面临退款,但因法律薄弱而没有重大处罚。 WA energy firms overcharged customers; Synergy led with $40M in overcharges, facing refunds but no major penalty due to weak laws.

西澳大利亚州经济监管局的一项调查发现,在过去两年里,全州所有能源公司都超额向客户收费,而最坏的罪犯是协同效应,超额收费174,522名客户,费用为4,040万美元。 An investigation by Western Australia’s Economic Regulation Authority found all energy companies in the state overcharged customers over the past two years, with Synergy the worst offender, overcharging 174,522 customers by $40.4 million. 缺乏自动计费监督的协同效应导致正式的履约通知,而其他供应商也超额收费,但没有受到正式处罚。 Synergy’s lack of automated billing oversight led to a formal compliance notice, while other suppliers also overcharged but were not formally penalized. 电子逆向拍卖将这一问题称为系统性的失败,而协同效应已承诺向每个客户平均退款200美元,尽管这一过程需要数月时间。 The ERA called the issue a systemic failure, and Synergy has committed to refunds averaging $200 per customer, though the process will take months. 现行法律规定,不论影响如何,罚款最高为100 000美元,这促使人们呼吁加大处罚力度。 Current laws cap fines at $100,000 regardless of impact, prompting calls for stronger penalties.