CHAPTER 284*
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITY CONTROL:
NATURAL GAS PIPELINES

      Sec. 16-263. Power to construct and operate natural gas pipeline. Any corporation organized under the laws of this state or of any other state or of the United States for the purpose of constructing and operating a natural gas pipeline, which corporation holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under the provisions of the federal Natural Gas Act, approved June 21, 1938, as it may be amended, authorizing such corporation to construct and operate a natural gas pipeline or pipelines and appurtenant facilities within this state, is authorized, upon compliance with the provisions of sections 16-264 to 16-267, inclusive, to acquire by condemnation and to enter upon, take and use such lands, rights-of-way, easements or other interests in land in this state as are necessary for the construction, operation, maintenance and alteration of such pipeline or pipelines and the installation of compressor stations, appliances and other appurtenant equipment, and to operate the same subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; provided such corporation shall be held to pay all damages that may arise to any person or persons from any such taking.

      (March, 1950, S. 2617d.)

      Cited. 138 C. 370. Act held constitutional. Taking of a temporary interest in land is authorized. Id., 582. Cited. 162 C. 56.

      Cited. 5 CA 189.

      Cited. 19 CS 11. Cited. 20 CS 51.

      Sec. 16-264. Filing of certificate of public convenience. Eminent domain. Any such corporation seeking the benefits of sections 16-263 to 16-269, inclusive, shall file with the Secretary of the State a certified copy of the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued to such corporation under the provisions of said federal Natural Gas Act. Upon the filing of such certificate and, in the case of a corporation organized under the laws of any state other than Connecticut, upon compliance with the provisions of sections 33-920 and 33-922, such corporation shall be entitled and empowered to take by eminent domain such land, rights-of-way, easements or other interests in land in this state as are necessary for the construction, operation, maintenance and alteration of such pipeline or pipelines and for the installation of compressor stations, appliances or other appurtenant equipment.

      (March, 1950, S. 2618d; February, 1965, P.A. 574, S. 23; P.A. 96-271, S. 161, 254.)

      History: 1965 act deleted references to repealed statutes and added sections 33-396, 33-399 and 33-400; P.A. 96-271 replaced reference to "sections 33-396, 33-399 and 33-400" with "sections 33-920 and 33-922", effective January 1, 1997.

      See Sec. 16-280 re filing of copy of certificate with Secretary of the State.

      Cited. 138 C. 370. Act held constitutional. Taking of a temporary interest in land is authorized. Id., 582.

      Cited. 20 CS 51.

      Sec. 16-265. Certain property exempted from eminent domain. No lands or rights-of-way or easements therein shall be taken by eminent domain under the provisions of sections 16-263 to 16-269, inclusive, in any public street or highway, public park or reservation or other public property, or within the location of any railroad company or other public utility company; provided such pipeline or pipelines may be constructed under or through any public highway or street, public park or reservation or other public property if the method of such construction and the plans and specifications therefor have been approved by the authority having jurisdiction over the maintenance of such public highway or street, public park or reservation or other public property; and provided such pipeline or pipelines may be constructed over or across the location of any railroad company or other public utility company by agreement with such railroad company or other public utility company or, in the event of failure so to agree, then with the approval of and in such manner as may be determined by the Department of Public Utility Control.

      (March, 1950, S. 2619d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 118, 348; P.A. 85-246, S. 16.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 85-246 deleted references to street railway companies.

      Cited. 138 C. 370. Act held constitutional. Taking of a temporary interest in land is authorized. Id., 582.

      Constitutionality upheld; immediate entry onto property upon deposit of sum with court to cover damages. 17 CS 327.

      Sec. 16-266. Procedure for determining damages. If any such corporation and the person or persons to whom damages may arise from any taking under the provisions of sections 16-263 to 16-269, inclusive, of any land, right-of-way, easement or other interest in land are unable to effect an agreement on the amount of such damages, such corporation may prefer a petition to the superior court for the judicial district in which the property lies or to a judge of said court if said court is not in session praying that such compensation may be determined, which petition shall describe such property to be taken and the use to which it is to be devoted and shall be accompanied by a summons signed by competent authority and served as process in civil actions before said court, notifying the owner or owners of such property and all persons interested in such property to appear before said court or such judge, and thereupon said court or judge shall appoint a committee of three disinterested persons, who shall be sworn before commencing their duties. Such committee after giving reasonable notice to the parties shall view the property in question, hear the evidence, ascertain the value, assess just damages to the owner or owners of such property and report its doings to said court or judge. Said court or judge may accept such report or may reject it for irregular or improper conduct by such committee in the performance of its duties. If the report is rejected, said court or judge shall appoint another committee, which shall proceed in the same manner as the first committee was required to proceed. If the report is accepted, such acceptance shall have the effect of a judgment in favor of the owner of the property against such corporation for the amount of the assessment made by such committee and, except as otherwise provided by law, execution may issue therefor. Said court or such judge shall make any order necessary to protect the rights of all the parties interested. Except as provided in section 16-267, such property shall not be entered upon and used by such corporation until the amount of such damages is paid to the party or parties to whom such damages are due, or deposited for his or their use with said court, and upon such payment or deposit such property or such rights or easements therein shall become the property of such corporation. The expenses or costs of any such hearing shall be taxed by such court or judge and paid by such corporation. If the amount of the damages awarded to any such property owner exceeds the amount offered to such property owner by such corporation for such land, rights-of-way, easements or interest in land prior to the preferring of such petition to such court or judge, such court or judge shall award to such property owner such attorney and appraisal fees as the court may determine to be reasonable.

      (March, 1950, S. 2620d; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127.)

      History: P.A. 78-280 replaced "county" with "judicial district".

      Cited. 138 C. 370. Act held constitutional. Taking of a temporary interest in land is authorized. Id., 582. Cited. 144 C. 217; Id., 509. Public utility corporations and their stockholders are not excepted. Id., 516. Proper measure of damages is the difference between market value of the whole tract as it lay before the taking and market value of what remained of it thereafter. 145 C. 83. Cited. 236 C. 710.

      Cited. 5 CA 189. Cited. 43 CA 47.

      Court has no jurisdiction to hear eminent domain action for acquisition of pipeline right-of-way when plaintiff company made no offer to purchase land. 17 CS 250. Immediate possession denied where there is a lack of emergency. Id., 263. Where committee's report reversible error, new committee appointed. 18 CS 468. Where there is proof of public fear of explosion from natural gas transmission lines, depreciation in market value is a legitimate element of compensation. 19 CS 475. See note to section 16-267. Court has jurisdiction to make allowances for attorney and appraisal fees after entry of judgment accepting report. 20 CS 445. Right of reimbursement arises in property owner after entry of judgment accepting report. Id. Cited. 24 CS 391.

      Sec. 16-267. Temporary use of property pending condemnation. When at any stage of condemnation proceedings brought under sections 16-263 to 16-269, inclusive, it appears to the court or judge before whom such proceedings are pending that the public interests will be prejudiced by delay, said court or judge may direct that such corporation be permitted to enter immediately upon the property to be taken and devote it temporarily to the public use specified in such petition upon the deposit with said court of a sum to be fixed by said court or judge, upon notice to the parties of not less than ten days, and such sum when so fixed and paid shall be applied so far as it may be necessary for the purpose of the payment of any award of damages which may be made, with interest thereon from the date of such entry upon such property, and the remainder if any returned to such corporation. If such petition is dismissed or no award of damages is made or the proceedings are abandoned by such corporation, said court or judge shall direct that the money so deposited, so far as it may be necessary, shall be applied to the payment of any damages that the owner of such property or other parties in interest may have sustained by such entry upon and use of such property, and the costs and expenses of such proceedings, such damages to be ascertained by said court or judge or a committee to be appointed for that purpose, and if the sum so deposited is insufficient to pay such damages and all costs and expenses so awarded, judgment shall be entered against such corporation for the deficiency to be enforced and collected in the same manner as a judgment in the Superior Court; and the possession of such property shall be restored to the owner or owners thereof.

      (March, 1950, S. 2621d.)

      Cited. 138 C. 370. Act held constitutional. Taking of a temporary interest in land is authorized. Id., 582. No abuse of discretion in order terminating stay of execution. 139 C. 36. Depreciation in value due to failure to leave premises within confines of easement and adjoining it in as good condition as they were in prior to the construction is proper element of damages in condemnation proceeding. 144 C. 509.

      Where pipeline company obtains right of immediate entry, only damage which committee could allow is damage which could have been allowed under section 16-266, except where proceedings are dismissed or abandoned prior to final award. 19 CS 15. Right to damages where pipeline company obtained right to immediate entry under a certificate of public convenience and necessity which was later nullified. 20 CS 52. See note to section 16-265. Proceedings are "pending" before the court from the time the case is returned to the court even though the return day has not arrived. 25 CS 450.

      Sec. 16-268. Duties of corporation. Any such pipeline shall be laid at least twenty-four inches below the surface of the soil and the soil above such pipelines shall be graded to the level of the adjacent land and left in good working condition unless otherwise agreed to between such corporation and the owner or owners of such property. Such corporation shall pay any damages for growing crops caused by the construction, operation, maintenance, repair or reconstruction of any such pipeline. In the construction, maintenance, repair and reconstruction of any such pipeline, driveways, drains, water pipes and other service pipes or wires located on any land on which such pipeline is constructed shall be left in as good condition as they were prior to such construction, maintenance, repair or reconstruction, except when otherwise agreed to between such corporation and the owner or owners of such property. No driveway or right-of-way over the land on which any such pipeline is located shall, except during such construction, maintenance, repair or reconstruction of such pipeline, be closed for passage except by agreement between such corporation and the owner or owners of such property or such right-of-way. Any building erected by any such corporation shall conform in its method of construction with the building laws or regulations in force and effect in the location in which the same is erected, and the exterior design of any such building shall conform to the extent that is possible with the general architectural standards of buildings in the locality in which such building is erected.

      (March, 1950, S. 2622d.)

      Cited. 138 C. 370. Act held constitutional. Taking of a temporary interest in land is authorized. Id., 582. Depreciation in value due to failure to leave premises in as good condition as they were in prior to construction is proper element of damages in condemnation proceeding. 144 C. 509. See note to section 16-267.

      Sec. 16-269. Franchise area. Restricted sale. Within the franchise area of any person, firm, corporation or municipality which is chartered or authorized by the state of Connecticut to transmit or sell gas within such franchise area, no corporation described in section 16-263 shall supply or sell natural, mixed or manufactured gas to any person, firm, corporation or municipality except a person, firm, corporation or municipality authorized to transmit or sell gas within such franchise area without the prior approval of the Department of Public Utility Control after notice and hearing. In determining whether to grant such approval, the department shall consider, without limitation, the impact of such supply or sale on gas companies and their customers.

      (March, 1950, S. 2623d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 119, 348; P.A. 87-29, S. 1, 2.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 87-29 deleted language permitting gas sales by pipeline companies in gas franchise areas upon consent of the franchise holders, required prior approval of the department of public utility control for all such sales, and directed the department to consider the impact on gas companies and their customers prior to granting such approval.

      See note to section 16-267.

      Sec. 16-270. Transportation of natural gas; declaration of public interest. It is hereby declared that the business of transporting natural gas within the state by interstate or intrastate natural gas pipeline companies is affected with the public interest and that the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the state require regulation in matters relating to the transportation of natural gas to the extent hereinafter provided.

      (1951, S. 2624d.)

      Sec. 16-271. Powers of department. In order to effectuate the policies and provisions of sections 16-270 to 16-280, inclusive, and, when deemed necessary, to obtain uniformity in the formulation, administration and enforcement of any order, ruling or regulation issued thereunder, or promulgated by the duly constituted authority of the United States, pertaining to the regulating or handling of natural gas, the Department of Public Utility Control may confer, cooperate and enter into compacts with such authority; avail itself of records and facilities of, and make available records and facilities to, such authority; conduct joint investigations and hold joint hearings; issue orders, rulings and regulations jointly or concurrently with, or complementary to those issued by, such authority; and collaborate with such authority and others in the development and operation of measures for the increased safety of the transportation and distribution of natural gas within the state.

      (1951, S. 2625d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 120, 348; P.A. 90-51, S. 2; P.A. 99-31, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 90-51 added new Subsec. (b) allowing adoption of regulations establishing intrastate gas pipeline safety standards and new Subsec. (c) authorizing department to issue waiver of federal safety standards; P.A. 99-31 made former Subsec. (a) the entire section and deleted former Subsecs. (b) and (c).

      Sec. 16-272. Authority of department as to corporation holding certificate under federal act. Any corporation organized under the laws of this state or of any other state of the United States for the purposes of constructing or operating a natural gas pipeline, which corporation holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under the provisions of the federal Natural Gas Act, authorizing such corporation to construct or operate a natural gas pipeline or pipelines and appurtenant facilities within the state, shall be subject to the authority of the Department of Public Utility Control in respect to its pipeline, equipment and manner of operation as they relate to the safety of the public and of the employees of said corporation in the same manner as are Connecticut public service companies, provided the authority of the Department of Public Utility Control shall not be inconsistent with or in violation of the provisions of the federal Natural Gas Act, as amended, or any rules, orders, regulations or certificates of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant thereto.

      (1951, S. 2626d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 121, 348.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation.

      Cited. 162 C. 51.

      Sec. 16-273. Complaints of defects in equipment. Any person or any town, city or borough may make a complaint in writing to the Department of Public Utility Control of any defects in any portion of the pipeline, plant or equipment of any natural gas pipeline company or concerning any manner of operating such gas pipeline by reason of which the public safety or the health or safety of employees is endangered; and if he or it so requests, the name of the complainant shall not be divulged, unless in the opinion of the department the complaint is such that publicity is demanded.

      (1951, S. 2627d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 122, 348.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation.

      Sec. 16-274. Hearing on complaint. Upon receipt of such complaint, the Department of Public Utility Control shall fix a time and place for hearing thereon and shall give notice thereof to all parties in interest and shall make such further investigation into the alleged conditions as it deems necessary. If upon such hearing the department finds the conditions to be dangerous to public safety or to the safety of employees, it shall make such order as may be necessary to remedy the same and shall furnish a copy of such order to the complainant upon request. If the department finds that the complaint is not justified, it shall so notify the complainant in writing, by registered or certified letter, specifying the reasons for such finding and shall file a copy of such notification in the office of the department. Any such hearing and investigation or order entered pursuant thereto shall not be inconsistent with or in violation of the provisions of the federal Natural Gas Act, as amended, or any rules, orders, regulations or certificates of public convenience and necessity issued pursuant thereto.

      (1951, S. 2628d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 123, 348.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation.

      Sec. 16-275. Submission of plans to department. Not less than thirty days before the commencement of actual construction or installation, any such corporation shall submit to the Department of Public Utility Control information concerning the engineering design of its pipeline and the standards of construction which it proposes to follow and any other such information as the department deems necessary, so that it may determine whether the public safety and the safety of the employees of such company are being protected. If the department finds as a result of its investigation that any part of the engineering design does not conform to the minimum standards of the American Standard Code for Pressure Piping, promulgated by the American Standards Association of New York, New York, or that the condition of any part of the equipment or the manner of operation thereof is such that it is dangerous to the public safety or the safety of the employees, it shall make such order as may be necessary to remedy the same and shall furnish a copy of such order to the company.

      (1951, S. 2629d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 124, 348.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation.

      Sec. 16-276. Submission of map to department. Any such company, as soon as it has definitely established a route, but in any event not less than ninety days before the commencement of actual construction or installation, shall submit to the Department of Public Utility Control and to the governing body of each town through which it is proposed that such route shall pass, for their information, a map approved as to form by the department, clearly setting forth the proposed route to be followed.

      (1951, S. 2630d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 125, 348; P.A. 87-578, S. 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 87-578 changed submission deadline from thirty to ninety days.

      Sec. 16-277. Other applicable statutes. The provisions of sections 16-7 to 16-10, inclusive, 16-17, 16-25, 16-35 to 16-40, inclusive, and 16-229 to 16-231, inclusive, shall apply to any company constructing or operating a natural gas pipeline.

      (1951, S. 2631d; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 92.)

      History: 1971 act deleted reference to repealed Sec. 53-124.

      Cited. 143 C. 109. Cited. 162 C. 53.

      Sec. 16-278. Compliance with orders. Any corporation subject to this chapter shall comply immediately with any order of the Department of Public Utility Control made in accordance with section 16-271, 16-274 or 16-275 and any company failing to comply with any such order shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars for each offense and shall reimburse any person whose property is damaged as a result of such failure for the amount of such property damage and shall be liable in double damages for any injury resulting to any person from such failure.

      (1951, S. 2632d; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 126, 348.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation.

      Sec. 16-279. Interstate or foreign commerce not affected. No provision of sections 16-270 to 16-280, inclusive, or of any order or regulation thereunder shall apply or be construed to apply to interstate or foreign commerce, except so far as such provision may be effective pursuant to the Constitution of the United States under the laws of the United States enacted thereunder.

      (1951, S. 2633d.)

      Sec. 16-280. Copy of certificate issued under federal act to be filed with secretary. Any corporation which intends to construct or operate any natural gas pipeline within this state shall file with the Secretary of the State a certified copy of the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued to such corporation under the federal Natural Gas Act, such filing to be at least thirty days before the start of construction.

      (1951, S. 2634d.)

      See Sec. 16-264 re filing of certificate of public convenience and necessity.

      Sec. 16-280a. Definitions. As used in sections 16-280a to 16-280f, inclusive:

      (1) "Person" means any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, municipality or cooperative association, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or personal representative thereof;

      (2) "Gas" means natural gas, flammable gas or gas which is toxic or corrosive;

      (3) "Transportation of gas" means the gathering, transmission or distribution of gas by pipeline or its storage;

      (4) "Pipeline facilities" includes, without limitation, new and existing pipe rights-of-way and any equipment, facility or building used in the transportation of gas or the treatment of gas during the course of transportation;

      (5) "Municipality" means a city, county, or any other political subdivision of the state;

      (6) "Department" means the Department of Public Utility Control;

      (7) "Federal act" means 49 USC Chapter 601.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 1; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 127, 348; P.A. 95-79, S. 52, 189; P.A. 99-31, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 95-79 redefined "person" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 99-31 made technical changes in definitions of "department" and "federal act"; (Revisor's note: In 2005, a reference to Sec. "16-280g" in the introductory clause was changed editorially by the Revisors to "16-280f" to reflect the repeal of Sec. 16-280g by P.A. 04-103).

      Sec. 16-280b. Violation of federal safety standards prohibited. Regulations. Waiver of safety standards. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person who engages in the transportation of gas or maintains pipeline facilities or owns any pipeline facilities within the state to violate any of the safety standards established by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States for the transportation of gas and pipeline facilities pursuant to the provisions of the federal act or any regulations adopted by the department pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section.

      (b) The Department of Public Utility Control may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, establishing intrastate gas pipeline safety standards, which may be more specific than federal standards where appropriate in relation to local circumstances or conditions and consistent with public safety, provided such standards recognize alternative instrumentalities and methodologies for achieving federal safety objectives and do not foreclose utilization of alternative instrumentalities and methodologies that conform to national engineering standards or industry practices.

      (c) The department may issue a waiver of federal safety standards in individual cases where warranted by local circumstances or conditions, consistent with public safety and authorized under the federal act.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 2; P.A. 99-31, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 99-31 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and made technical changes therein, inserted new Subsec. (b) re adoption of intrastate gas pipeline safety standards and inserted new Subsec. (c) re waiver of standards.

      Sec. 16-280c. Federal safety standards adopted as state standards. Each federal safety standard applicable to pipeline facilities and the transportation of gas established under the provisions of the federal act, as the same are, from time to time, made effective, or any regulation adopted by the department pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 16-280b shall be the standards of the state.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 3; P.A. 99-31, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 99-31 added reference to any regulation adopted by department and made a technical change.

      Sec. 16-280d. Records, reports and inspection. The Department of Public Utility Control shall require any person that owns any pipeline facilities or that engages in the transportation of gas or maintains pipeline facilities within the state to maintain such records, make such reports and provide such inspections as are required by the federal act or by any regulation adopted by the department pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 16-280b. If the department investigates an accident involving such a pipeline facility, the operator of the facility shall make available to the department all records and information that pertain to the accident, including, but not limited to, integrity management plans or test results, and shall afford all reasonable assistance to the department in the investigation of the accident. The department may require the filing of such information as is necessary to determine compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 4; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 128, 348; P.A. 99-31, S. 5; P.A. 00-53, S. 7; P.A. 01-49, S. 11; P.A. 04-103, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 99-31 made technical changes, added reference to any regulation adopted by the department, and authorized department to require filing of information as necessary to determine compliance; P.A. 00-53 made technical changes; P.A. 01-49 made a technical change; P.A. 04-103 added provision requiring operator to make available records and to offer assistance during an investigation of an accident by the department.

      Sec. 16-280e. Penalties. (a) Any person that violates any provision of the federal act, any regulation issued under the federal act, any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the department pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of section 16-280b, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed the maximum civil penalty provided under 49 USC 60122(a), as amended.

      (b) Any such civil penalty may be compromised by the Department of Public Utility Control. In determining the amount of such penalty, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, the department shall consider the criteria set forth in 49 USC 60122(b), as amended.

      (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the penalties available under section 16-33.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 5; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 129, 348; P.A. 90-51, S. 3; P.A. 99-31, S. 6; P.A. 00-53, S. 8; P.A. 04-103, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 90-51 increased penalty for violations of federal act from one thousand to ten thousand dollars per day with the maximum penalty increased from two hundred thousand to five hundred thousand dollars; P.A. 99-31 amended Subsec. (a) by changing civil penalty from ten to twenty-five thousand dollars and adding reference to any regulation adopted by the department, and amended Subsec. (b) by deleting former penalty considerations and requiring department to consider criteria set forth in federal act when determining penalty; P.A. 00-53 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 04-103 amended Subsec. (a) to replace maximum twenty-five-thousand-dollar per day civil penalty and maximum five-hundred-thousand-dollar civil penalty with maximum civil penalty provided under federal law, and added Subsec. (c) re penalties available under Sec. 16-33.

      Sec. 16-280f. Injunction. Enforcement of standards. (a) The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction to restrain violations of sections 16-280a to 16-280e, inclusive, or to enforce standards established under the federal act upon petition of the appropriate state's attorney, upon complaint of the Department of Public Utility Control. Whenever practicable, the department shall give notice to any person against whom an action for injunctive relief is contemplated and afford him an opportunity to present his views; and, except in the case of a knowing and wilful violation, the department shall afford him reasonable opportunity to achieve compliance. However, the failure to give such notice and afford such opportunity shall not preclude the granting of appropriate relief.

      (b) In any proceeding for criminal contempt for violation of an injunction or restraining order issued under this section, which violation also constitutes a violation of the federal act, trial shall be by the court.

      (c) Actions under subsection (a) of this section may be brought in the judicial district wherein any act or transaction constituting the violation occurred, or in the judicial district wherein the defendant is found or is an inhabitant or transacts business.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 6; P.A. 75-486, S. 1, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 80-482, S. 130, 348.)

      History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 substituted "judicial district" for "county"; P.A. 80-482 made division an independent department and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; (Revisor's note: In 2005, a reference to "16-280g" in Subsec. (a) was changed editorially by the Revisors to "16-280e" to reflect the repeal of Sec. 16-280g by P.A. 04-103).

      Sec. 16-280g. Facilities and transportation subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Section 16-280g is repealed, effective October 1, 2004.

      (1971, P.A. 429, S. 7; P.A. 99-31, S. 7; P.A. 04-103, S. 3.)

      Sec. 16-280h. Filing of supply and transmission contracts or data with department. Each person, firm or corporation operating a natural gas pipeline, upon receipt of a written request from the Department of Public Utility Control, shall file with the department a copy of (1) each contract with a producer for the supply of natural gas for the state and each contract with a gas company, as defined in section 16-1, or any other person, firm or corporation for the transmission of natural gas to the state or (2) the current data required to be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concerning the cost of natural gas available for sale by the natural gas pipeline in the state, including the most recent purchased gas tariff adjustment. Each such contract or such data shall be filed with the department not later than thirty days after receipt of such written request.

      (P.A. 83-211, S. 1, 2; P.A. 84-39, S. 1, 2.)

      History: P.A. 84-39 allowed filing of data in lieu of contracts and required filing to be made only upon request of department of public utility control.