Apollo Gas Must Cease Marketing Natural Gas

Apollo Gas Inc.'s licence to market natural gas in Alberta has been revoked, effective April 1, 2000.

Alberta Government Services took this action because of ongoing concerns over the company's marketing practices. The natural gas marketing company must immediately cease any further marketing activities and take on no new customers.

Apollo customers will not experience any interruption in gas service. To minimize disruption to consumers, Apollo has been issued a two-month conditional licence that allows it to continue supplying natural gas to existing customers until May 31, 2000.

After that date, Apollo can choose to sell these contracts at the agreed-upon price to another marketer or, failing that, the accounts will revert back to the customer's original utility. Some 45,000 Albertans have signed contracts with Apollo.

Consumer complaints against the company have continued, despite numerous warnings, the suspension of the company's licence a year ago, and Apollo's agreement to comply with several strict conditions on a six-month conditional licence issued October 1, 1999. The conditions attempted to put an end to misleading marketing practices or failure to follow the code of conduct.

"We've been very fair," said Government Services Minister Patricia Nelson, whose department is responsible for the Fair Trading Act that regulates natural gas marketers.

"Despite giving the company every opportunity to make a successful go of it in the natural gas retailing industry, Albertans continue to complain about Apollo's tactics. Our chief concern is consumer protection," said Nelson.

Natural gas retailers in Alberta must be licensed with Government Services, they must post a $250,000 bond and they must also adhere to a strict code of conduct set out in the Natural Gas Marketing Regulation under the Fair Trading Act.

For more information consumers can call Government Services at 1-877-427-4088.

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