Chapter 296 - Operation of Fuel Supply Business

(1) “Creating a fuel shortage” means the diminution by contrivance or artificial means of the supply of fuel to a point below that needed to meet consumer demands adequately; and

(2) “Fuel” includes coal and coal products, electricity, natural gas, petroleum products, radioactive materials, wood fuels and any other resource yielding energy.

(b) As used in sections 16a-21, 16a-22a and 16a-22k:

(1) “Associated equipment” means a gas line, gas regulator, sacrificial anode, interconnecting hardware and any other equipment that is necessary to install and operate a propane tank;

(2) “Automatic delivery” means the delivery of heating fuel to a consumer by a dealer under a system determined by the dealer of calculating the consumer's heating fuel needs based on the consumer's heating fuel consumption;

(3) “Cash” (A) means a certified or cashier's check, commercial money order, legal tender or equivalent of such check, money order or legal tender, and (B) includes a guaranteed payment on behalf of a consumer by a government or community action agency, provided no discount is taken for the charge as billed;

(4) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Consumer Protection;

(5) “Consumer” means a direct purchaser of heating fuel from a heating fuel dealer for one or more dwelling units within a structure having not more than four dwelling units;

(6) “Gallon” means an accepted unit of measure consisting of two hundred thirty-one cubic inches, for all liquid or gaseous heating fuel, subject to modifications allowed under regulations adopted pursuant to section 43-42;

(7) “Heating fuel” means any petroleum-based fuel, including any petroleum product regulated pursuant to chapter 250, used as the primary source of residential heating or domestic hot water;

(8) “Heating fuel dealer” or “dealer” means any individual or group of individuals who, or a cooperative, corporation, firm, limited liability company or partnership that, offers to sell, at retail, heating fuel to a consumer;

(9) “Lessee” means a natural person who rents or leases personal property under a consumer rental or lease agreement;

(10) “Lessor” means a heating fuel dealer who regularly provides the use of personal property through consumer rental or lease agreements and to whom rent is paid at a fixed interval for the use of such property;

(11) “Notice of termination of automatic delivery” means a notice by a consumer to a dealer providing automatic delivery in which the consumer requests that the dealer terminate such automatic delivery; and

(12) “Purchase price” or “commercially reasonable price” means a price that does not exceed the fair market value of a propane tank and associated equipment, as applicable.

(P.A. 74-208, S. 1, 5; P.A. 12-76, S. 1; P.A. 16-69, S. 2; P.A. 22-104, S. 38.)

History: P.A. 12-76 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re definitions used in Secs. 16a-21, 16a-22a and 16a-22k, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 16-69 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (12) re definition of “purchase price” or “commercially reasonable price”, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 22-104 amended Subsec. (a) by redesignating former Subdiv. (2) as new Subdiv. (1) and former Subdiv. (1) as new Subdiv. (2), Subsec. (b)(3) by dividing existing provisions into Subparas. (A) and (B) and Subsec. (b)(5) by deleting provision re when fuel is primary source of heat for residential heating or domestic hot water, and made technical and conforming changes, effective May 24, 2022.

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Sec. 16a-18. Illegal creation of fuel shortage. Penalty. Extradition. (a) No person, firm, corporation, business or combination thereof shall individually perform any act, or conspire to perform any act, which act creates a shortage of fuel or a probable shortage of fuel in this state with the intent to raise fuel prices or energy prices, adversely affect competition in this state or in any way violate the antitrust laws of the state of Connecticut or other laws of this state regulating illegal business practices.

(b) Any person, firm, corporation, business or combination thereof violating any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that such person shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars.

(c) If any person violates sections 16a-17 to 16a-20, inclusive, and subsequently leaves the jurisdiction of this state, the Chief State's Attorney shall seek extradition of such individual. If any individual violates any provision of said sections while physically present in another state, the Chief State's Attorney or his designee shall seek extradition of said individual under a like provision of section 54-162 of the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, as it may appear in other jurisdictions or under any other applicable law of such other jurisdictions.

(P.A. 74-208, S. 2, 5; P.A. 07-217, S. 66; P.A. 13-258, S. 63.)

History: P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute provision re class D felony for provision re imprisonment of not more than 5 years and make a technical change.

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Sec. 16a-19. Powers of investigation. Section 16a-19 is repealed.

(P.A. 74-208, S. 3, 5; P.A. 75-537, S. 12, 55; P.A. 76-435, S. 53, 82; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 81-330, S. 12, 13.)

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Sec. 16a-20. Enforcement, civil action privileged, damages, reciprocity. (a) The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may institute a civil action in the Superior Court, or in the United States District Court, where applicable, against any person, firm, corporation, business or combination thereof it believes, or has reason to believe, has violated sections 16a-17 to 16a-20, inclusive, to enjoin said parties from continuing such conduct within this state and to seek repayment of damages on behalf of those individuals, businesses and industries harmed by said activities. In such actions it shall be represented by the Attorney General.

(b) Upon the institution of such civil action, the Attorney General shall have the right to take the deposition of any witness the Attorney General believes, or has reason to believe, has information relative to the prosecution of such action, upon application made to the Superior Court, notwithstanding the provisions of other statutes limiting depositions. The Attorney General shall also have the right to take such depositions in other states and to utilize the laws of such other states relative to the taking of depositions where allowed by the laws of such states. The state of Connecticut shall allow similar depositions to be taken within this state on behalf of any governmental agency of another state or any territory or possession of the United States seeking to pursue litigation similar to that permitted under sections 16a-17 to 16a-20, inclusive, as long as such other state allows the Attorney General to take depositions within its jurisdiction. In so doing, the Superior Court shall enforce the orders of the courts of such other state relative to the deposition requested and issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum, as necessary, as well as enforcing such subpoenas through citations of contempt or other available remedies.

(c) In any case where damages referred to in subsection (a) of this section shall be proven by a fair preponderance of the evidence, the court shall order repayment by any or all defendants of said damages to the applicable parties or businesses through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

(d) The court shall also have the right, in its discretion, to assess treble damages against said defendants.

(e) Any such civil action shall be privileged in assignment for trial.

(P.A. 74-208, S. 4, 5; P.A. 75-537, S. 13, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 06-196, S. 203; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 75-537 replaced Connecticut energy agency with department of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced department with office of policy and management; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective June 7, 2006; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Office of Policy and Management” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsecs. (a) and (c), effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 16a-21. Heating fuel dealers. Sale of heating fuel. Renting or leasing of heating fuel tank. Contract requirements. Surcharge prohibited. Exceptions. Consumer right to cancel. Regulations. Penalties. (a)(1) No heating fuel dealer shall sell heating fuel or rent or lease a heating fuel tank without a written contract that contains all the terms and conditions for delivery of such heating fuel and the amount of fees, charges, surcharges or penalties allowed under this section and assessed to the consumer under such contract. No such contract shall contain any fees, charges, surcharges or penalties, except for those allowed pursuant to subsections (e), (f) and (g) of this section and for tank rental fees or liquidated damages for violation of the contract terms. No contract for the delivery of heating fuel under this subsection shall include a provision for liquidated damages for a consumer breach of such contract where the liquidated damages exceed the actual damages to the heating fuel dealer caused by such breach. No written contract period for heating fuel shall be for a term greater than thirty-six months. Each heating fuel dealer shall offer consumers the option to enter into a bona fide commercially reasonable contract for a term of eighteen months. A consumer and a heating fuel dealer may agree to enter into a bona fide commercially reasonable contract for a term of less than eighteen months. Longer fuel contract term lengths may be permitted for underground tank consumers, provided the fuel term agreements are concurrent with tank lease agreements as specified in subdivision (2) of this subsection. No provision in a contract that restricts a consumer's ability to utilize another propane fuel provider shall be valid or enforceable unless the consumer has initialed a clear and conspicuous statement in all capital letters of no less than twelve-point boldface type indicating that the consumer is aware of such restriction.

(2) If a tank is being leased or lent to a consumer, a contract for the tank rental or loan shall indicate in writing a description of the tank, initial installation charges, if any, the amount and timing of rental or loan payments, the manner in which the lessor will credit the lessee for any unused heating fuel and terms by which a lessee may terminate the contract. A lessor may enter into a separate contract with the lessee for additional services including, but not limited to, maintenance, repair and warranty of equipment, provided such contract complies with the provisions of this section. No contract for tanks installed above ground shall be for a term greater than thirty-six months. Each consumer shall be given the option to enter into a bona fide commercially reasonable contract for a term of eighteen months. A lessee and a lessor may agree to enter into a bona fide commercially reasonable contract for a term of less than eighteen months. No contract for a tank installed underground shall exceed five years.

(3) (A) If a tank installed underground is provided to a consumer, a contract for such tank shall contain a clause providing the consumer with the option to purchase the tank and associated equipment at a price not exceeding a commercially reasonable price at any time during the length of the contract. The purchase price for the tank shall be disclosed in the contract and shall not increase before the contract expires. Any waiver of liability or transfer of warranty shall be stated in the contract. No contract for such tank shall be valid or enforceable unless the consumer has initialed a clear and conspicuous statement in all capital letters of no less than twelve-point boldface type, indicating the consumer is aware of such option to purchase the tank and associated equipment. For existing contracts, whether oral or written, where the purchase option or purchase price is silent or unspecified, a contract addendum including the purchase option and a commercially reasonable price shall be mailed or delivered to the consumer not later than September 1, 2013. Such contract addendum shall contain a clause providing the lessee with the option of purchasing the tank and associated equipment at any time prior to September 1, 2018. Upon purchase of the tank and any associated equipment, any existing contract obligations pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall terminate immediately, except for guaranteed price plans pursuant to chapter 296a.

(B) If a tank installed above ground is provided to a consumer, a contract for such tank shall contain a clause providing the consumer with the option to purchase a new tank and associated equipment at a price not exceeding a commercially reasonable price at any time during the length of the contract. The purchase price for the tank, associated equipment and associated installation charges shall be disclosed in the contract and not increase before the contract expires. Any waiver of liability or transfer of warranty shall be stated in the contract. No contract for such tank shall be valid or enforceable unless the consumer has initialed a clear and conspicuous statement in all capital letters of no less than twelve-point boldface type, indicating that the consumer is aware of such option to purchase a new tank and associated equipment. Upon purchase of the tank and any associated equipment, any existing contract obligations pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall terminate immediately, except for guaranteed price plans pursuant to chapter 296a.

(4) A contract required by this section shall be in writing and shall comply with the plain language requirements of section 42-152, provided any fee, charge, surcharge or penalty disclosed in such contract shall be in twelve-point, boldface type of uniform font. Any fee, charge, surcharge or penalty shall not increase prior to the expiration of the contract.

(5) A written contract for the sale of heating fuel or lease of equipment that calls for an automatic renewal of the contract is not valid unless such contract complies with the provisions of this section, section 42-126b and chapter 296a.

(6) The requirement that contracts be in writing pursuant to this section shall not apply to any heating fuel delivery initiated by a consumer, payable on delivery or billed to the consumer with no future delivery commitment, where no fee, charge, surcharge or penalty is assessed, except for any fee, charge or surcharge authorized under subsection (g) of this section.

(7) The requirement that contracts be in writing pursuant to this section shall not apply to agreements that are solely automatic delivery where: (A) The consumer may terminate automatic delivery at any time and where no fee, charge, surcharge or penalty is assessed for termination, and (B) the dealer providing automatic delivery provides written notice to the consumer the dealer serves under automatic delivery of the method for the termination of automatic delivery, as specified in this subdivision. Such written notice shall be included with each invoice for products subject to automatic delivery. Notice from a consumer to a dealer requesting termination of automatic delivery may be delivered to the dealer by (i) a written request by the consumer delivered by certified mail to the dealer, (ii) electronic mail sent from the consumer to a valid electronic mail address of the dealer, or (iii) electronic facsimile by the consumer to be sent to a valid facsimile number at the dealer's place of business. The consumer shall give notice at least one day prior to the day upon which the consumer desires to terminate automatic delivery. The consumer shall not be responsible for payment of deliveries made by the dealer after such notice has been given, except for deliveries made within one business day after such notice has been given and which were scheduled for delivery by the dealer prior to such notice being given, provided consideration shall be given for weekend and holiday closings or extenuating circumstances not under the control of the dealer.

(b) If a consumer complaint is being mediated or investigated by the commissioner, the heating fuel dealer, if it owns the tank and has exclusive fill requirements, may not deny the consumer deliveries of heating fuel, or fuel for cooking or power generation, because of the existence of the mediation or investigation, provided the heating fuel dealer remains the exclusive supplier of such fuel and the consumer pays cash for such fuel upon delivery.

(c) The requirement that contracts be in writing as set forth in this section may be satisfied pursuant to the provisions of: (1) The Connecticut Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, sections 1-266 to 1-286, inclusive, (2) sections 42a-7-101 to 42a-7-106, inclusive, or (3) the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 USC 7001 et seq. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, verbal telephonic communications shall not satisfy the writing requirement of this section.

(d) The requirement that contracts be in writing pursuant to this section and section 16a-23n may be satisfied telephonically, only if a heating fuel dealer:

(1) Has provided to the consumer prior to any telephonic communication all terms and conditions of the contract, in writing, except for the contract duration, the unit price and the maximum number of units covered by the contract;

(2) Employs an interactive voice response system or similar technology that provides the consumer with the contract duration, the unit price and the maximum number of units covered by the contract;

(3) Retains for a period of not less than one year from the date of the expiration of the contract, in a readily retrievable format, a recording of the consumer affirmation to each such term and condition;

(4) Sends the consumer a letter confirming the consumer's agreement to such terms and conditions, with a written copy of the terms and conditions agreed to; and

(5) Retains a copy of each such letter.

(e) No heating fuel dealer shall deliver heating fuel without placing the unit price, clearly indicated as such, the total number of gallons or units sold and the amount of any fee, charge or surcharge allowed pursuant to this section in a conspicuous place on the delivery ticket given to the consumer or an agent of the consumer at the time of delivery. No heating fuel dealer shall bill or otherwise attempt to collect from any consumer of heating fuel an amount that exceeds the unit price multiplied by the total number of gallons or units stated on the delivery ticket, plus the amount of any fee, charge or surcharge allowed pursuant to this section and stated on the delivery ticket.

(f) No heating fuel dealer shall assess a fee, charge or surcharge on any delivery, including, but not limited to, any delivery under an automatic delivery agreement, initiated by the dealer to a consumer.

(g) No heating fuel dealer shall assess a fee, charge or surcharge on the price per gallon or total delivery charge for any heating fuel delivery initiated by a consumer, except when:

(1) The heating fuel delivery is less than one hundred gallons;

(2) The heating fuel delivery is made outside the normal service area of the dealer;

(3) The heating fuel delivery is made outside the normal business hours of the dealer; or

(4) The dealer incurs extraordinary labor costs for the heating fuel delivery.

(h) Except for the underground tank addendum required pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section, the provisions of this section shall not apply to existing customers of a heating fuel dealer on July 1, 2013, who have valid written contracts on said date. The provisions of this section shall apply as of the renewal or expiration dates of such contracts.

(i) A consumer shall have the right to cancel his or her relationship with a heating fuel dealer without penalty for an above-ground tank that is lent or leased if such relationship is based upon either an oral agreement or a course of dealing. No tank removal charge or forfeiture of unused heating fuel shall be permitted if a consumer cancels such relationship. The consumer shall be entitled to a refund of all unused heating fuel at the same price at which the consumer purchased such heating fuel.

(j) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may adopt regulations pursuant to chapter 54 to: (1) Establish a consumer bill of rights regarding home heating dealers, (2) require heating fuel dealers to provide consumers with such consumer bill of rights prior to entering into a contract, and (3) permit home heating dealers to post such consumer bill of rights on their Internet web sites or record and play back such consumer bill of rights when consumers call the offices of such heating fuel dealers.

(k) A violation of the provisions of this section shall be an unfair trade practice under subsection (a) of section 42-110b.

(l) Any heating fuel dealer who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense, not more than seven hundred fifty dollars for a second offense occurring not more than three years after a prior offense and not more than one thousand five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent offense occurring not more than three years after a prior offense.

(P.A. 74-212, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-256; P.A. 81-330, S. 3, 13; P.A. 90-304, S. 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 14, 131; P.A. 12-76, S. 2; P.A. 14-51, S. 1; Dec. Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-1, S. 47; P.A. 16-69, S. 1; P.A. 22-104, S. 39.)

History: P.A. 79-256 removed reference to “number two” fuel oil and replaced “bill” with “statement of charges and delivery ticket” in Subsec. (a); P.A. 81-330 required in Subsec. (a) that delivery ticket contain the total number of units sold and amount of delivery surcharge in addition to unit price and added provision for computation of charges; P.A. 90-304 added provision requiring a seller to provide the secretary of the office of policy and management with a notice of any change in price of fuel oil or propane gas; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision requiring seller to provide the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management with notice of any change in price of fuel oil or propane gas and making a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 12-76 replaced former Subsec. (a) re heating oil or propane gas sales and billing requirements with new Subsec. (a) re heating fuel and heating fuel tank written contract requirements, added new Subsec. (b) re consumer complaint being mediated or investigated by commissioner, added Subsec. (c) re satisfaction of written contract requirement, added Subsec. (d) re satisfaction telephonically, added Subsec. (e) re delivery ticket requirements, added Subsec. (f) re fee, charge or surcharge prohibition for automatic delivery initiated by dealer, added Subsec. (g) re fee, charge or surcharge prohibition for delivery initiated by consumer, subject to exceptions, added Subsec. (h) re existing customers having valid written contracts on July 1, 2013, added Subsec. (i) re consumer right to cancel relationship re above-ground tank, added Subsec. (j) permitting Commissioner of Consumer Protection to adopt regulations, added Subsec. (k) re unfair trade practice violation and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (l) and amended same by increasing fine for first offense from $100 to $500, adding second offense fine of $750 and third or subsequent offense fine of $1,500, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 14-51 amended Subsec. (g)(1) by substituting “less” for “not more” than 100 gallons, effective July 1, 2014; Dec. Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-1 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re contract for rent or lease of propane fuel tank in Subdiv. (1) and, in Subdiv. (3), designating existing provisions as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re tank installed above ground, effective December 29, 2015; P.A. 16-69 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provision re informing consumer of restrictions on ability to utilize another propane fuel provider with provision re consumer to initial clear and conspicuous statement re same in Subdiv. (1), adding provisions re purchase of tank and associated equipment at commercially reasonable price, deleting provisions re purchase of tank and associated equipment not later than 5 years after commencement of contract and adding provision re exception for guaranteed price plans in Subdiv. (3)(A) and (B), deleting provision re contract addendum in Subdiv. (3)(B), and making technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 22-104 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “or fuel for cooking or power generation” and deleting “from October first to March thirty-first, inclusive”, and made technical and conforming changes, effective May 24, 2022.

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Sec. 16a-21a. Sulfur content of home heating oil and off-road diesel fuel. Suspension of requirements for emergency. Enforcement. (a)(1) The amount of sulfur content of the following fuels sold, offered for sale, distributed or used in this state shall not exceed the following percentages by weight: (A) For number two heating oil, three-tenths of one per cent, and (B) for number two off-road diesel fuel, three-tenths of one per cent.

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, the amount of sulfur content of number two heating oil sold, offered for sale, distributed or used in this state shall not exceed the following percentages by weight: (A) For the period beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2018, five hundred parts per million, and (B) on and after July 1, 2018, fifteen parts per million.

(b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may suspend the requirements of subsection (a) of this section if the commissioner finds that the physical availability of fuel which complies with such requirements is inadequate to meet the needs of residential, commercial or industrial users in this state and that such inadequate physical availability constitutes an emergency provided the commissioner shall specify in writing the period of time such suspension shall be in effect.

(c) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may enforce the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section utilizing the methodologies and standards specified in section 22a-174-19b of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies.

(P.A. 95-68, S. 1, 2; P.A. 06-143, S. 1; P.A. 08-124, S. 6; P.A. 10-74, S. 1; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 13-298, S. 46; P.A. 15-160, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 95-68 effective January 1, 1996; P.A. 06-143 added new Subsecs. (b), (c) and (d) re graduated permissible sulfur contents for number two heating oil, added new Subsec. (e) re permissible sulfur content for number two off-road diesel fuel, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (f), allowed suspension of requirements of Subsecs. (a) to (e) if commissioner finds inadequate physical fuel availability constitutes an emergency and made technical changes, effective June 6, 2006; P.A. 08-124 made technical changes in Subsecs. (b) to (e), effective June 2, 2008; P.A. 10-74 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), making technical changes therein and adding Subdiv. (2) re weight percentage sulfur content limit of number two heating oil and Subdiv. (3) re when provisions of Subdiv. (2) shall take effect, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (f), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-298 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “July 1, 2011,” with “July 1, 2014,” “June 30, 2014,” with “June 30, 2018,” and “fifty parts per million” with “five hundred parts per million” in Subdiv. (2)(A), to replace “July 1, 2014,” with “July 1, 2018,” in Subdiv. (2)(B) and to delete former Subdiv. (3) re date provisions take effect, deleted former Subsecs. (b) to (e) re maximum sulfur content, and designated existing Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (b) and amended same to make a conforming change, effective July 8, 2013; P.A. 15-160 added Subsec. (c) re enforcement of sulfur content standards, effective July 1, 2015.

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Sec. 16a-21b. Low-carbon fuel blend requirement for heating oil. Restriction on effective dates of provisions. Standards. Temporary waiver of requirements. Regulations. (a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Heating oil” means heating fuel that meets the American Society of Testing Materials or “ASTM” standard D396 or the “ASTM” standard D6751;

(2) “Low-carbon fuel blend” means a fuel meeting the standards for advanced biofuels under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard Program, requiring a fifty per cent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, including, but not limited to, qualifying biodiesel meeting the most recent version of ASTM International designation D6751; and

(3) “Sold” means the wholesale sale made to a retailer or the retail sale made to an end-user consumer.

(b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, (1) not later than July 1, 2022, all heating oil sold in this state shall be a low-carbon fuel blend containing not less than five per cent biodiesel, (2) not later than July 1, 2025, all heating oil sold in this state shall be a low-carbon fuel blend containing not less than ten per cent biodiesel, (3) not later than July 1, 2030, all heating oil sold in this state shall be a low-carbon fuel blend containing not less than fifteen per cent biodiesel, (4) not later than July 1, 2034, all heating oil sold in this state shall be a low-carbon fuel blend containing not less than twenty per cent biodiesel, and (5) not later than July 1, 2035, all heating oil sold in this state shall be a low-carbon fuel blend containing not less than fifty per cent biodiesel.

(c) Unless the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection waives the requirements of subsection (b) of this section pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, any low-carbon fuel blended with heating oil shall be produced in accordance with industry-accepted quality control standards. A certificate of analysis that verifies conformity with the critical specifications of designation D6751 of ASTM International, as defined by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Program, or other applicable ASTM specification for low-carbon fuel blends, shall be provided by the marketers or producers of any such low-carbon fuel prior to the blending of such low-carbon fuel with heating oil.

(d) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may temporarily waive the requirements of subsection (b) of this section if the commissioner determines that, at any time, such requirements (1) are not feasible due to a lack of adequate supply of biodiesel, or (2) would result in a financial hardship to consumers.

(e) Not later than July 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the requirement of retailers of heating oil to disclose the percentage of low-carbon fuel blend contained in the home heating oil delivered to consumers or an approximate range of such percentage.

(P.A. 10-74, S. 2; P.A. 11-59, S. 3; P.A. 21-181, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 11-59 made a technical change in Subsec. (g), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 21-181 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing definition of “biodiesel blend” with definition of “low-carbon fuel blend” in Subdiv. (2) and deleting former Subdivs. (4) and (5) re definitions of “commissioner” and “sufficient in-state production of biodiesel”, amended Subsec. (b) by deleting former Subdiv. (2) re contingent effective date, substantially revising provisions re standards and timeframes for heating oil sold in the state, and making conforming changes, amended Subsec. (c) by adding “or other applicable ASTM specification for low-carbon fuel blends,”, deleting provision re verification of biodiesel conformity, and making technical and conforming changes, deleted former Subsecs. (d) to (g) re determination of in-state biodiesel production sufficiency, Distillate Advisory Board, temporary waivers and annual report, respectively, added new Subsec. (d) re Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection's authority to waive requirements, and added new Subsec. (e) re discretionary adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2021.

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Sec. 16a-21c. Kelp oil as heating oil feedstock. Company petition to the Environmental Protection Agency. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection assistance. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, may assist one or more companies in the submission of a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval of kelp oil as a feedstock under the fuel pathway for the heating oil program within the Renewable Fuel Standard Program. Such assistance may include, but shall not be limited to, inquiring of the status of kelp and kelp oil for consideration as feedstock for heating oil by the Environmental Protection Agency under such program, providing any applicable or requisite information held by the department that may support such petition, and facilitating timely communications between the Environmental Protection Agency, other relevant state agencies and any such petitioning company in furtherance of any such petition.

(P.A. 17-218, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 17-218 effective July 10, 2017.

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Sec. 16a-22. Notice by wholesaler of impending shortage or termination of supply of petroleum products. Nondiscrimination. Penalty. (a) Any person engaged in the business of selling petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, on a wholesale basis who has sufficient knowledge of an impending shortage in the availability of petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, or any officer or manager of a firm or corporation engaged in such business who has such knowledge, shall cause to be given immediate written notice of any possible inability as a result of such shortage to deliver petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and to each retail oil dealer engaged in the business of supplying petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, for residential heating that such person, firm or corporation customarily supplies with petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, on a wholesale basis. No such person engaged in the business of selling petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, on a wholesale basis and no such officer or manager shall discriminate, in the percentage of supplies delivered, against independent retail oil dealers in favor of dealers affiliated with such supplier.

(b) Any person engaged in the business of distributing or selling petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, on a wholesale basis who intends to terminate the supply of petroleum products, as defined in section 16a-22c, to a retail dealer shall give written notice at least fourteen days in advance of such termination to the retail dealer, the municipality or municipalities in which the retail dealer distributes and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection concerning such proposed termination of supply.

(c) Any person, firm or corporation who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined one thousand dollars for each violation.

(P.A. 73-638, S. 1, 2; Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 79-14, S. 1, 3; P.A. 90-304, S. 6; P.A. 00-223; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: October, 1979, P.A. 79-14 made former provisions Subsecs. (a) and (c) and inserted new Subsec. (b) re notice to retailer of wholesaler's intent to terminate supply; P.A. 90-304 expanded section to apply to all persons selling petroleum products, where previously applicable to sellers of fuel oil; P.A. 00-223 amended Subsec. (a) by removing reference to “advance” knowledge, by deleting provision re notice “at least thirty days in advance” and by requiring immediate written notice to the secretary, made technical changes in Subsec. (b) and increased penalty from $500 to $1,000 in Subsec. (c); pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.

See Sec. 19a-214 re suspension of delivery of fuel oil and bottled gas to rental residences.

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Sec. 16a-22a. Heating fuel dealers prohibited from requiring minimum delivery of fuel. Fines. (a) No heating fuel dealer shall require that any regular consumer of such dealer accept a minimum delivery of heating fuel of not less than one hundred gallons or seventy-five per cent of primary tank size, whichever is less, as a condition of delivery by such dealer.

(b) Any heating fuel dealer who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense, not more than seven hundred fifty dollars for a second offense occurring not more than three years after a prior offense and not more than one thousand five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent offense occurring not more than three years after a prior offense.

(Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 79-14, S. 2, 3; P.A. 90-304, S. 7; Aug. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1, S. 2; P.A. 12-76, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 90-304 expanded section to apply to retail dealers of propane as well as retail dealers of fuel oil; Aug. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-1 changed minimum delivery acceptance prohibition from over 150 gallons to over 100 gallons, effective September 1, 2008; P.A. 12-76 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to make technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) re fines, effective July 1, 2013.

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Sec. 16a-22b. Surcharge on price of fuel oil or propane prohibited. Exception. Section 16a-22b is repealed, effective July 1, 2013.

(Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 79-9, S. 2, 3; P.A. 81-330, S. 4, 13; P.A. 90-304, S. 8; Aug. Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-2, S. 2; P.A. 12-76, S. 10.)

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Sec. 16a-22c. Registration of petroleum product dealers. Definitions. Regulations. For the purposes of sections 16a-15 and 16a-22c to 16a-22g, inclusive:

(1) “Company” means any corporation, partnership, proprietorship or any other business, firm or commercial entity;

(2) “Petroleum products” means middle distillate, residual fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, motor gasoline, aviation gasoline or aviation turbine fuel, as defined in regulations which the commissioner shall adopt in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Notwithstanding any provision of this subdivision to the contrary, “petroleum products” shall not include gasoline other than aviation gasoline, which is sold at retail in accordance with the provisions of chapter 250;

(3) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or the commissioner's designee.

(P.A. 80-436, S. 1, 7; P.A. 81-330, S. 6, 13; P.A. 86-198, S. 2, 3; P.A. 95-217, S. 3; P.A. 11-80, S. 1, 44.)

History: P.A. 81-330 added provisions in Subdiv. (2) including gasoline sold at retail to definition of “petroleum products” and granting secretary authority to adopt regulations; P.A. 86-198 added certain motor gasoline and aviation gasoline and aviation turbine fuel to definition of “petroleum products”, required secretary to adopt regulations defining all terms included in definition of petroleum products and applied federal definitions until such regulations are adopted; P.A. 95-217 deleted provisions in Subdiv. (2) re construction of terms until regulations adopted; P.A. 11-80 amended Subdiv. (2) to replace “secretary” with “commissioner” and amended Subdiv. (3) to change defined term from “secretary” to “commissioner”, effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 16a-22d. Registration requirements. Affiliated companies. (a)(1) Any person that is engaged in the wholesale or retail sale, or both, of petroleum products in this state or in the wholesale sale of petroleum products for consumption in this state and that sells at least one million gallons of such products annually or any person that is engaged in the operation of a petroleum product storage terminal or petroleum product pipeline shall register with the commissioner not later than September thirtieth of each year or not later than thirty days of commencing operations in the state by such person, whichever is later.

(2) Any person that is engaged in the wholesale or retail sale, or both, of petroleum products in this state or in the wholesale sale of petroleum products for consumption in this state and that sells at least five thousand but less than one million gallons of such products annually shall register with the commissioner, if so requested by the commissioner, not more than thirty days after such request. The commissioner shall not require such registration more than once in any twelve-month period.

(3) Such registration shall be on a form prescribed or furnished by the commissioner and shall require the registrant, subject to the penalty for false statement under section 53a-157b, to provide the following information: (A) The name, mailing address and telephone number of the registrant; (B) the name, mailing address and telephone number of any company with which the registrant is affiliated, and whether any such affiliated company is engaged in the wholesale or retail sale, or both, or the delivery into or storage of petroleum products in this state or another state, or both; (C) whether the registrant engages in wholesale operations, retail operations, or both, or the delivery into or storage of petroleum products and whether the registrant engages in sales to residential customers; (D) any other names and places of business used by the registrant to conduct business; and (E) any further information which the commissioner may request pursuant to this title.

(b) For the purposes of this section, “affiliated” means the existence of one or more of the following relationships between the registrant and any other company: (1) The registrant owns or is owned by, in whole or in part, another company; (2) the registrant has one or more common officers or directors with another company; (3) the registrant owns facilities or equipment in common with another company; (4) the registrant engages in common operations or joint ventures with another company; or (5) the registrant controls the activities of another company, or the activities of the registrant are controlled by another company.

(P.A. 80-436, S. 2, 7; P.A. 90-304, S. 9; P.A. 99-16, S. 1, 2; P.A. 00-53, S. 9; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 90-304 expanded section to also apply to persons engaged in the wholesale sale of petroleum products for consumption in this state or in operating petroleum product storage terminals or pipelines, required registration within 30 days of commencing operation and specified that information supplied must include other names and places of business used by the registrant; P.A. 99-16 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions requiring certain persons to register as Subdiv. (1) and by changing 5,000 to 1,000,000 gallons therein, by adding new Subdiv. (2) requiring certain persons to register if requested by the secretary, by designating provisions re registration form as Subdiv. (3) and by making technical changes, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-53 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “secretary” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “commissioner” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011.

See Sec. 16a-6 for applicability of section to persons applying for license under Sec. 14-319.

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Sec. 16a-22e. Public listing of petroleum product dealers. The commissioner shall maintain a public listing of persons engaging in the wholesale or retail sale of petroleum products who have registered in accordance with section 16a-22d. Such public listing shall include the information provided in accordance with subdivisions (1) and (3) of subsection (a) of said section.

(P.A. 80-436, S. 3, 7; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “secretary” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “commissioner”, effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 16a-22f. Annual report by secretary. Section 16a-22f is repealed, effective July 1, 1995.

(P.A. 80-436, S. 4, 7; P.A. 95-30, S. 2, 3.)

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Sec. 16a-22g. Penalty for failure to register. Any person who fails to register by September thirtieth in each year in accordance with section 16a-22d shall be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than seventy dollars, except that any person who registers within thirty days thereof shall not be deemed to have committed an infraction if a late filing fee of fifty dollars is included with such person's registration form.

(P.A. 80-436, S. 5, 7; P.A. 89-183.)

History: P.A. 89-183 replaced penalty for a person who fails to register of a fine of not more than $500 with provision that such person shall be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than $70.

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Sec. 16a-22h. Sellers of propane and number two distillate fuel required to register. Regulations. (a)(1) Each person, firm or corporation which is required to register pursuant to section 16a-22d, which engages in the wholesale or retail sale, or both, of propane in the state and which sells at least five hundred thousand gallons of such product annually, shall report to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection upon the request of the commissioner and on such forms as prescribed by the commissioner, not later than the fifteenth day of each month for which the commissioner requests a report. Such report shall state the number of gallons held in storage on the last day of the previous month, the location of each storage facility in which the propane was stored, the number of gallons of propane held for shipment out of state and the estimated number of days' supply represented by the gallons held in storage.

(2) Any person, firm or corporation who engages in the sale, other than at retail, of propane in the state shall report to the commissioner upon the request of the commissioner and on such forms as prescribed by the commissioner, not later than the fifteenth of each month for which the commissioner requests a report. Such report shall state the number of gallons of propane sold, other than at retail, during the previous calendar month and the estimated number of gallons to be sold during the current month.

(b) (1) Each person, firm or corporation which is required to register pursuant to section 16a-22d, which engages in the wholesale or retail sale, or both, of number two distillate fuel in the state, in excess of five million gallons of such product annually, shall report to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection upon the request of the commissioner and on such forms as prescribed by the commissioner, not later than the fifteenth day of each month for which the commissioner requests a report. Such report shall state the number of gallons held in storage on the last day of the previous month, the location of each storage facility in which the number two distillate fuel was stored, the number of gallons of number two distillate fuel held for shipment out of state and the estimated number of days' supply represented by the gallons held in storage. In any such report number two heating oil and diesel fuel shall be reported separately.

(2) Any person, firm or corporation who engages in the sale, other than at retail, of number two distillate fuel in the state shall report to the commissioner upon the request of the commissioner and on such forms as prescribed by the commissioner, not later than the fifteenth of each month for which the commissioner requests a report. Such report shall state the number of gallons of number two distillate fuel sold, other than at retail, during the previous calendar month and the estimated number of gallons to be sold during the current month. In any such report number two heating oil and diesel fuel shall be reported separately.

(c) Any person, firm or corporation who violates subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense nor more than five hundred dollars for each subsequent offense.

(d) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish reporting requirements for other petroleum products, as defined in subdivision (2) of section 16a-22c.

(P.A. 90-304, S. 1; P.A. 95-30, S. 1, 3; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 95-30 changed the timing of reports from monthly to each month the secretary requests a report and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1995; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management” and “secretary” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” and “commissioner”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 16a-22i. Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection authorized to obtain information concerning petroleum products market. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes to the contrary, whenever the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection finds that conditions in the petroleum products market require additional sales, inventory or price information for a complete analysis of such market the commissioner may require any person, firm or corporation engaged in the sale or storage of petroleum products in the state to provide such information concerning the petroleum products market as he directs.

(P.A. 90-304, S. 2; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management” and “secretary” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” and “commissioner”, respectively, effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 16a-22j. Report of sale, acquisition or change in current business practices. Each person, firm or corporation, registered pursuant to section 16a-22d, shall notify the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, in writing, within thirty days of the sale or acquisition of another person, firm or corporation registered, pursuant to said section, or of a change in the current business practices of such person, firm or corporation. As used in this section, “current business practices” shall include the sale or acquisition of petroleum storage facilities, the withdrawal from or entry into a petroleum market or any activity which would alter the information provided in the registrants most recent registration.

(P.A. 90-304, S. 4; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: Pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.

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Sec. 16a-22k. Unfair trade practices in the business of selling heating fuel. Fines. (a) No heating fuel dealer shall condition the availability of burner maintenance or repair service upon the agreement of any consumer to purchase heating fuel from such dealer, provided, any dealer may give priority for service to any consumer who has a heating fuel delivery contract with such dealer.

(b) Any dealer who sells heating fuel and who has established a schedule of payments plan with a consumer shall, upon notice of termination of future heating fuel deliveries, return to such consumer, within ten days of receiving such notice, any moneys collected in excess of the retail price for heating fuel actually delivered, provided this subsection shall not apply to a schedule of payment plan in which a specific product unit price is agreed upon for the length of the plan.

(c) Each heating fuel dealer who sells under a trade name heating fuel or who provides service for heating fuel burners shall disclose to any consumer or potential consumer on any communication and invoice and in any advertising, the name of the person or entity which has filed a certificate to use such a trade name, as required by and pursuant to section 35-1.

(d) Any violation of subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of this section shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice under section 42-110b.

(e) Any heating fuel dealer who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense, not more than seven hundred fifty dollars for a second offense occurring not more than three years after a prior offense and not more than one thousand five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent offense occurring not more than three years after a prior offense.

(P.A. 90-304, S. 3; P.A. 07-217, S. 67; P.A. 12-76, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 07-217 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 12-76 made existing provisions applicable to heating fuel dealers and consumers and added Subsec. (e) re fines, effective July 1, 2013.

Cited. 231 C. 707.

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Sec. 16a-22l. Fuel oil conservation and energy efficiency programs. Fuel Oil Conservation Board. Fuel oil conservation plan. Section 16a-22l is repealed, effective May 4, 2011.

(P.A. 07-242, S. 116; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 131; June 11 Sp. Sess. P.A. 08-2, S. 7; P.A. 11-6, S. 165.)

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Sec. 16a-22m. Residential propane service termination. (a) No propane supplier shall terminate service for nonpayment to any eligible residential propane customer living at a location served by ten or more vapor meters for central heating purposes (1) on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, the day before a legal holiday, or less than one hour before such propane supplier's offices close for the day, (2) without fourteen days' written notice of such pending termination, including the date of termination and steps a customer can take to reinstate service, to the resident customer and the owner of record, and (3) for customers who provide documentation that they have applied for energy assistance, between November first and May first. A propane supplier may collect finance charges on past due balances not to exceed one and one-half per cent per month. If a propane supplier determines that a dangerous condition exists, such propane supplier may terminate any service at any time without notice.

(b) As used in this section, (1) “eligible residential propane customer” means a residential propane customer (A) who receives local, state or federal public assistance, (B) whose sole source of financial support is Social Security, United States Department of Veterans Affairs or unemployment compensation benefits, (C) who is head of the household and is unemployed, and the household income is less than three hundred per cent of the poverty level determined by the federal government, (D) who is seriously ill or who has a household member who is seriously ill, (E) whose income falls below two hundred per cent of the poverty level determined by the federal government, or (F) whose circumstances threaten a deprivation of food and the necessities of life for himself or dependent children if payment of a delinquent bill is required; and (2) “household income” means the combined income over a twelve-month period of the customer and all adults, except children of the customer, who are and have been members of the household for six months, or more.

(P.A. 09-218, S. 3; P.A. 18-72, S. 28.)

History: P.A. 09-218 effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 18-72 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(B) to replace “Veterans' Administration” with “United States Department of Veterans Affairs”.

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Sec. 16a-22n. Fuel Oil Conservation Board. (a) There is established a Fuel Oil Conservation Board consisting of the following members:

(1) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the board and who shall convene its meetings;

(2) A representative of retail oil heat dealers, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;

(3) A representative of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning trades licensed under chapter 393, with experience in implementing energy efficiency systems, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) A representative of wholesale heating distributors operating within the state, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

(5) An in-state biodiesel distributor, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(6) A representative of a state-wide environmental advocacy group, with expertise in energy efficiency measures, appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;

(7) A retail oil heat dealer with experience in implementing energy conservation services, appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and

(8) Five members of the public appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a representative of an environmental organization knowledgeable in energy efficiency programs, one of whom shall be a representative of a consumer advocacy organization, one of whom shall be a representative of the business community, one of whom shall be a representative of low-income ratepayers and one of whom shall be a representative of state residents, in general.

(9) All appointed members of the board shall serve in accordance with section 4-1a.

(b) The Fuel Oil Conservation Board, established pursuant to this section, shall be a successor entity to the Fuel Oil Conservation Board, established pursuant to section 16a-22l of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2011. All appointments to the Fuel Oil Conservation Board shall be made no later than thirty days after October 27, 2011. Each appointing authority shall provide the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection with the name and contact information for each appointed board member.

(c) The Fuel Oil Conservation Board shall be within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for administrative purposes only.

(d) The Fuel Oil Conservation Board shall be responsible for the administration of the energy efficiency fuel oil furnace and boiler replacement, upgrade and repair program established pursuant to section 16a-46j.

(P.A. 11-80, S. 49; Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 11-1, S. 51.)

History: P.A. 11-80 effective July 1, 2011; Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 11-1 amended Subsec. (a) to designate Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection as chairperson of board, change requirements for certain appointees, reduce the number of Governor's appointees and make technical changes, added new Subsec. (b) re board as successor entity to Fuel Oil Conservation Board established pursuant to repealed Sec. 16a-22l, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c), and added Subsec. (d) re administration of energy efficiency fuel oil furnace and boiler replacement, upgrade and repair program, effective October 27, 2011.

See Sec. 4-38f for definition of “administrative purposes only”.

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Sec. 16a-23. Gasoline supplied to franchised and independent distributors. Equal treatment. Enforcement. (a) No person engaged in the business of refining petroleum into gasoline and furnishing gasoline to retail distributors of gasoline for sale to the public in this state shall fail to furnish gasoline to independent retail distributors of gasoline in this state, whether or not franchised by such person, at wholesale prices in reasonable quantities as long as he continues to furnish gasoline to retail distributors of gasoline in this state which are wholly owned by him or operated under a franchise granted by him.

(b) It shall constitute, prima facie, a violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section for any such person (1) during any calendar month beginning after July 1, 1973, to deliver to independent retail distributors of gasoline in this state a percentage of the total gallons of gasoline delivered by him to all retail distributors of gasoline in this state during that month which is lower than the percentage of the total gallons of gasoline delivered by him to all retail distributors of gasoline in this state during the period from July 1, 1971, to June 30, 1972, which was delivered by him to independent retail distributors of gasoline in this state during that period, or (2) to sell gasoline to independent retail distributors of gasoline in this state at a price during any such month which is greater than (A) the average price at which he sold gasoline to such distributors during the period from July 1, 1971, to June 30, 1972, increased by (B) a percentage equal to the percentage by which the average price for gasoline sold during that month to retail distributors of gasoline which are wholly owned by, or operated under a franchise granted by, that person exceeds the average price for gasoline sold to such distributors during the period from July 1, 1971, to June 30, 1972.

(c) A violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section constitutes an unfair trade practice within the provisions of chapter 735a.

(P.A. 73-637, S. 1, 2; 73-678, S. 11, 12.)

History: P.A. 73-678 changed effective date of section from October 1, 1973, to July 1, 1973.

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Sec. 16a-23a. Sale of anthracite. Regulations. Enforcement. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, (a) defining standard and substandard anthracite, based on specifications as to undersize and ash or slate and bone content, and (b) requiring any person, firm or corporation selling anthracite either (1) from out of state for resale within the state or (2) within the state only, to provide written notification to the purchaser as to whether such anthracite is standard or substandard, as defined in such regulations. Any violation of the regulations shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice under subsection (a) of section 42-110b.

(P.A. 82-439, S. 6, 7; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.

Cited. 231 C. 707.

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Secs. 16a-23b to 16a-23l. Reserved for future use.

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