Amanda Purcell is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media two energy service companies will pay out more than $2 million for overcharging and misleading customers, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. Energy Plus issued $700,000 in payments to current and former customers following a 2017 settlement. Ambit Energy, which serves Greene and Columbia counties, must now change its business practices and pay $1.5 million in penalties for deceptive practices, state Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement last week. According to the AG, the two energy companies used deceptive practices that “resulted in consumers paying more for energy services when they were promised savings.” Both companies purchased energy on the open market and sold it to consumers on behalf of utility companies. Customers were promised lower rates, but the company failed to deliver on that promise in many cases. “Thousands of New Yorkers will get their money back after they were deceived into paying for more expensive energy services,” James said in the statement. “...We have zero tolerance for companies seeking to defraud New Yorkers out of their hard-earned money.” Ambit Energy serves gas and electric companies all over the state, including Greene and Columbia counties. Energy Plus serves customers in the state, but is no longer accepting new customers in New York. It is unclear how many customers from Columbia and Greene counties will receive refunds. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.