Top Class Actions  |  June 23, 2022

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

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Xcel Energy corporate headquarters exterior and trademark logo.Xcel Energy Inc. is a utility holding company.
(Photo Credit: Ken Wolter/Shutterstock)

Xcel Energy and e-Prime Energy agreed to pay $2.5 million as part of a settlement to resolve class action lawsuit claims of a price-fixing plan between numerous utility companies that affected rates. 

The settlement benefits consumers and companies who purchased natural gas from e-Prime Energy Marketing Inc. or Xcel Energy Inc. in Colorado from Jan. 1, 2000, to Oct. 31, 2002.

Xcel Energy and e-Prime Energy are utility companies that provide power and gas to consumers across the country. Xcel Energy consumers’ rates of pay for these services are based on their usage and prices of natural gas in their area.

According to a class action lawsuit against numerous power companies, Xcel and e-Prime Energy worked with other businesses to artificially raise the price of natural gas. An unlawful agreement allegedly allowed the companies to charge a higher price for natural gas across the board without having to compete with each other through competitive rates. 

The defendants allegedly supported this scheme through false prices posted in trade publications and wash trades — a type of market manipulation that mimics actual trading activity. 

As a result of these actions, Xcel Energy consumers in Colorado allegedly paid higher rates for natural gas services than they would have in a competitive market.

In addition to naming Xcel Energy and e-Prime Energy Marketing, the class action lawsuit targeted companies alleged to have worked with them on the price-fixing plan, such as CenterPoint Energy Services, Shell Energy, Reliant Energy, Williams Energy, ONEOK Energy and more.

This massive class action lawsuit was first filed in 2006 — over 15 years ago. Since then, certain defendants have agreed to partial settlements in Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas. Now, e-Prime Energy Marketing and Xcel Energy agreed to resolve Colorado claims with a $2.5 million lawsuit settlement. Further settlements with other defendants or in other states may be reached in the future.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can collect a portion of the settlement fund. Payments will vary depending on a number of factors including how many class members chose to participate in the settlement. Each class member will receive a proportional share of the settlement fund based on the volume of natural gas they paid the defendants for.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was May 11, 2021. 

The final approval hearing for the settlement was held July 22, 2021. 

As these dates have passed, class members now only have the options to do nothing — giving up their opportunity to collect a payment — or to participate in the settlement by filling a claim form.

The deadline to submit a claim in the Xcel Energy and e-Prime Energy lawsuit settlement is Aug. 18, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits consumers and companies who purchased natural gas from e-Prime Energy Marketing Inc. or Xcel Energy Inc. in Colorado from Jan. 1, 2000, to Oct. 31, 2002.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/18/2022

Case Name

Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado, LLC, et al. v. ONEOK, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:06-01110-REB-MEH, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Final Hearing

07/22/2021

Claims Administrator

Natural Gas CO Antitrust Settlement
c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.
P.O. Box 173120
Milwaukee, WI 53217
info@naturalgasantitrustsettlement4.com
877-883-8112

Class Counsel

Russell S Jones Jr
Andrew J Ennis
POLSINELLI PC

Donald D Barry
BARRY LAW OFFICE

Defense Counsel

Kathryn Reilly
WHEELER TRIGG O’DONNELL LLP

Michael John Miguel
MCKOOL SMITH PC

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One thought on Xcel Energy, e-Prime Energy price-fixing $2.5M class action lawsuit settlement

  1. Brian Greene says:

    add me

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.