A

Review of Arcadia Energy

Received an Arcadia advertisement postcard claimin...

Received an Arcadia advertisement postcard claiming they would help me get 100% of my electricity from Baltimore Gas and Electric delivered from wind and local solar farms and "bring more solar to Maryland". Claimed it doesn't cost more - actually save a little, would be the same BG&E service, offering $75 credit if I enrolled by 30 Nov 2020, and I could cancel anytime without fees or commitments.

It wasn't clear to me how Arcadia would make a profit. I was skeptical and did some research. The many unresolved complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau told me enough. I'm sure many state AG offices have many others in their records. Common complaints included:
1) shell game - obfuscation of once clear costs from prior utilities.
2) increased actual costs
3) changing of your previous online utility user & password and redirecting your utility bills to their address/email.
4) keeping 95% of your refunds/credits unless you unenroll the "premium" option
5) requiring months to cancel.
6) requiring users to establish automatic bill pay - takes the power out of your hands once money leaves your account
7) short email notices of upcoming bills (e.g., we will withdraw this amount in 3 days).
8) improperly billed amounts - sometimes in the thousands of dollars
9) prior utility companies refusing to support or address concerns once you switch over to Arcadia

This company seems to prey on consumer's good will to keeping a clean environment. You shouldn't have to let someone hijack your utility account to reduce pollution. Makes you wonder if this is another Enron in the making.