Judge issues restraining order against Summit Utilities

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Summit Utilities customers in Arkansas facing exorbitant bills have received a temporary reprieve.

According to our content partners, KATV in Little Rock, a Pulaski County Circuit Court judge issued a temporary restraining order against the utility company Monday.

The move allows customers the ability to refuse to pay their monthly gas bill. The order also prevents the company from disconnecting any accounts in the meantime.

The Poynter Law Group sought the restraining order last week as part of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of Arkansas customers against the company, alleging price gouging, poor customer service, and poor accounting of payments.

To read the full report, including the judge’s order, click here.

For customers like Sandra Combs, the news is a relief, but she plans on continuing to pay.

“The lawsuit can say it but I’m afraid, you know, that it could be cut off,” she said.

The ruling states the judge believes there are enough evidence customers like Combs could prove price gouging, poor customer service, and poor accounting of payments, leading to the restraining order.

Combs isn’t the only one facing trouble with her bill.

“I know it got kinda brutal this winter, but nothing’s really changed at our house,” David Sennett, a customer, said.

Sennett is dealing with higher-than-normal bills too.

He and his family have lived in the same house for around 15 years and know what is coming.

They also plan on continuing to pay their bills, despite the ruling.

“What choice do we have but to pay the bill? We need heat,” he said.

The final decision on the lawsuit’s outcome remains uncertain.

A preliminary injunction hearing is set for March 15.

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