CHAPTER 295*
ENERGY PLANNING

      Sec. 16a-1. Legislative findings and purpose. It is found and declared that a shortage of energy supplies and resources exists in the state and the United States and that a critical shortage may be imminent, that the existence of such shortage is inimical to the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the state, that there is a necessity to implement the federal mandatory allocation order and other federal directives and federal statutes, establish contingency rationing plans for fuel oil, gasoline and other energy supplies and restrict the use of energy and that the necessity of enacting the provisions of this chapter to provide for equitable distribution and conservation of energy is declared as a matter of legislative determination.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 1, 20.)

      Sec. 16a-2. Definitions. As used in this chapter and sections 16a-45a, 16a-46, 16a-46a and 16a-46b:

      (a) "Office" means the Office of Policy and Management;

      (b) "Board" means the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board;

      (c) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management;

      (d) "Energy" means work or heat that is, or may be, produced from any fuel or source whatsoever;

      (e) "Energy emergency" means a situation where the health, safety or welfare of the citizens of the state is threatened by an actual or impending acute shortage in usable energy resources;

      (f) "Energy resource" means natural gas, petroleum products, coal and coal products, wood fuels, geothermal sources, radioactive materials and any other resource yielding energy;

      (g) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, syndicate, company, trust, corporation, limited liability company, municipality, agency or political or administrative subdivision of the state, or other legal entity of any kind;

      (h) "Service area" means any geographic area serviced by the same energy-producing public service company, as defined in section 16-1;

      (i) "Renewable resource" means solar, wind, water, wood or other biomass source of energy and geothermal energy;

      (j) "Energy-related products" means (1) energy systems and equipment that utilize renewable resources to provide space heating or cooling, water heating, electricity or other useful energy, (2) insulation materials and (3) equipment designed to conserve energy or increase the efficiency of its use, including that used for residential, commercial, industrial and transportation purposes;

      (k) "Energy-related services" means (1) the design, construction, installation, inspection, maintenance, adjustment or repair of energy-related products, (2) inspection, adjustment, maintenance or repair of any conventional energy system, (3) the performance of energy audits or the provision of energy management consulting services, and (4) weatherization activities carried out under any federal, state or municipal program;

      (l) "Conventional energy system" means any system for supplying space heating or cooling, ventilation or domestic or commercial hot water which is not included in subdivision (1) of subsection (j) of this section; and

      (m) "Energy supply" means any energy resource capable of being used to perform useful work and any form of energy such as electricity produced or derived from energy resources which may be so used.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 2, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 1, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 41, 610; P.A. 79-576, S. 1, 7; P.A. 82-231, S. 2, 8; P.A. 95-79, S. 54, 189.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced Connecticut energy agency and its administrator with department and commissioner of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of planning and energy policy with office of policy and management and its secretary; P.A. 79-576 added Subdivs. (i) to (l) defining "renewable resource", "energy-related products", "energy-related services", and "conventional energy system"; P.A. 82-231 deleted electricity from definition of "energy resource", added geothermal energy to definition of "renewable resource", defined "energy supply" and applied all definitions under this section to Secs. 16a-45a, 16a-46, 16a-46a and 16a-46b; P.A. 95-79 redefined "person" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995.

      Sec. 16a-3. Connecticut Energy Advisory Board. (a) There is established a Connecticut Energy Advisory Board consisting of nine members, including the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the chairperson of the Public Utilities Control Authority, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Consumer Counsel, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or their respective designees. The Governor shall appoint one member, the president pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint one member, and the speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member, all of whom shall serve in accordance with section 4-1a. No appointee may be employed by, or a consultant of, a public service company, as defined in section 16-1, or an electric supplier, as defined in section 16-1 or an affiliate or subsidiary of such company or supplier.

      (b) The board shall, (1) prepare an annual report pursuant to section 16a-7a; (2) represent the state in regional energy system planning processes conducted by the regional independent system operator, as defined in section 16-1; (3) encourage representatives from the municipalities that are affected by a proposed project of regional significance to participate in regional energy system planning processes conducted by the regional independent system operator; (4) issue a request-for-proposal in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of section 16a-7c; (5) evaluate the proposals received pursuant to the request-for-proposal in accordance with subsection (f) of section 16a-7c; (6) participate in a forecast proceeding conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of section 16-50r; and (7) participate in a life-cycle proceeding conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of section 16-50r.

      (c) The board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and shall adopt such rules of procedure as are necessary to carry out its functions.

      (d) The board shall convene its first meeting not later than September 1, 2003. A quorum of the board shall consist of two-thirds of the members currently serving on the board.

      (e) The board shall employ such staff as is required for the proper discharge of its duties. The board shall annually submit to the Department of Public Utility Control a proposal regarding the level of funding required for the discharge of its duties, which proposal shall be approved by the department either as submitted or as modified by the department.

      (f) The Connecticut Energy Advisory Board shall be within the Office of Policy and Management for administrative purposes only.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 3, 4, 20; P.A. 76-337; P.A. 77-614, S. 56, 162, 284, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 83-487, S. 8, 33; P.A. 86-187, S. 8, 10; P.A. 87-496, S. 73, 110; P.A. 95-250, S. 20, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 03-140, S. 16; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(h); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 76-337 increased members from thirteen to fourteen, replaced "chairman" with "chairperson", added chairperson of power facility evaluation council as fourteenth member, replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority as called for in P.A. 75-486 and required that one gubernatorial appointee be representative of organized labor; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation and commissioner of commerce with commissioner of economic development, effective January 1, 1979, and added Subsec. (c) placing board within office of policy and management for administrative purposes; P.A. 83-487 added commissioners of housing, administrative services and transportation to board and specified duties of board in new Subsec. (b), relettering previous Subsecs. (b) and (c) accordingly; P.A. 86-187 replaced power facility evaluation council with Connecticut siting council in Subsec. (a); P.A. 87-496 substituted "public works" for "administrative services" commissioner in Subsec. (a); P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 amended Subsec. (a) to reduce the number of board members from seventeen to sixteen and to replace the Commissioners of Economic Development and Housing with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section; P.A. 03-140 amended Subsec. (a) to decrease membership from sixteen to nine, to remove the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the chairperson of the Connecticut Siting Council and the Commissioner of Public Works from the board, to add the Consumer Counsel, the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to the board, to reduce the Governor's appointments from four members to one member, to reduce the president pro tempore's and the speaker's appointments from three members to one member, to make a technical change and to add prohibition re appointees who are employed by or consultants of public service companies or electric suppliers or their affiliates or subsidiaries, amended Subsec. (b) to replace former provisions re board's duties with Subdivs. (1) to (7), inclusive, re board's duties, amended Subsec. (c) to delete provision re compensation for performance of official duties, redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (f), added new Subsec. (d) re convening the board's first meeting, and added new Subsec. (e) re employment of staff, effective July 1, 2003; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture 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.

      See title 2c re termination under "Sunset Law".

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

      See Sec. 16-245l re operating expenses for the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board.

      Sec. 16a-4. Office of Policy and Management. Staff. Regulations. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall employ, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, such staff as is required for the proper discharge of duties of the office as set forth in this chapter and sections 4-5, 4-124l, 4-124p, 8-3b, 8-32a, 8-33a, 8-35a, 8-189, subsection (b) of section 8-206, sections 16a-20, 16a-102, 22a-352 and 22a-353. The secretary may adopt, pursuant to chapter 54, such regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 5, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 2, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 42, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 89, 136; P.A. 81-330, S. 10, 13; P.A. 88-248, S. 2; P.A. 03-140, S. 20.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced Connecticut energy agency and its administrator with department and commissioner of planning and energy policy, deleted provisions re appointment by governor and exemption from classified service, and required that assistance be given the state planning council in Subsec. (a), restated Subsec. (b) and deleted Subsec. (c) which had provided for disposition of agency; P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of planning and energy policy with office of policy and management and its secretary, deleted references to state planning council and deleted Subsec. (b); P.A. 78-303 deleted references to repealed Secs. 4-60a and 4-60b; P.A. 81-330 deleted reference to Sec. 16a-19; P.A. 88-248 deleted reference to Sec. 2-73; (Revisor's note: In 1993 an obsolete reference to repealed Sec. 16-340 was deleted editorially by the Revisors); P.A. 03-140 deleted provision re providing the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board with assistance, effective July 1, 2003.

      Sec. 16a-4a. Office of Policy and Management. Duties and powers. The Office of Policy and Management shall:

      (1) Formulate and prepare state-wide or interregional plans for the physical, social and economic development of the state. Such plans may be prepared jointly or in consultation with other state, interstate, federal, regional or local agencies. Such plans may include, but need not be limited to, (A) demographic projections, (B) economic projections, (C) land use and water considerations, (D) transportation requirements, (E) environmental considerations, (F) energy capabilities and requirements, (G) public facilities, (H) labor needs and skills, (I) educational objectives, (J) housing needs and (K) health needs;

      (2) Receive for review, information and recommendations, plans proposed by any state agency acting alone or jointly which has among its duties planning responsibilities relating to those considerations set forth in subdivision (1) of this section or similar subjects;

      (3) Coordinate regional and state planning activities and accomplish such planning review activities as may be necessary;

      (4) Designate or redesignate logical planning regions within the state and promote and assist in the promotion and continuation of regional planning agencies under chapter 127;

      (5) Provide for technical aid and the administration of financial assistance to regional planning agencies established under chapter 127 or any regional council of elected officials in any region without a regional planning agency or any regional council of governments organized under sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive, under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the secretary;

      (6) Accept from any source funds, revenue or other consideration available to this state for interstate, state, regional, interregional or area planning activities or projects and provide for the administration of such funds, revenues or other consideration;

      (7) Make available to the public, for a reasonable fee, all reports, testing results and other material developed or procured as a result of activities authorized by this section, section 16a-14 and section 16a-14b; and

      (8) Provide technical assistance to municipalities that want to aggregate electric generation services.

      (P.A. 75-537, S. 3, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 43, 610; P.A. 79-576, S. 2, 7; P.A. 91-343, S. 7, 11; P.A. 98-28, S. 59, 117.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of planning and energy policy with office of policy and management and its secretary and deleted requirement that plans be submitted to state planning council; P.A. 79-576 added Subdivs. (7) to (9); P.A. 91-343 repealed former Subdivs. (8) and (9) re duties re energy-related products and services; P.A. 98-28 added new Subdiv. (8) re technical assistance to municipalities that want to aggregate electric generation services, effective July 1, 1998.

      See Sec. 16a-4b re petitions for redesignation of planning region.

      Sec. 16a-4b. Municipalities may petition for redesignation of planning region. Procedure. Any town, city or borough which has been included in any planning region as designated or defined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his predecessor, under the provisions of subsection (4) of section 16a-4a, may petition, upon a vote of its legislative body, the secretary for a redefinition or redesignation as part of a different planning region. The secretary shall determine the time and place for a hearing upon such petition and shall give notice thereof. In determining the appropriateness of such redesignation, the secretary shall consider, among other factors, whether or not the services that such petitioner needs can be better or more logically provided by a planning region other than the one to which it has been previously assigned.

      (P.A. 77-325; 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 83-164.)

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of planning and energy policy with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 83-164 removed provision allowing petitioner to appeal to the state planning council.

      See chapter 127 (Sec. 8-31a et seq.) re regional planning agencies.

      Sec. 16a-5. Secretary's investigatory and subpoena powers. (a) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, with the assistance of any other state agency, if needed, shall investigate violations of chapter 296 and, in connection with the performance of his duties under this chapter and chapter 296, shall have the power to hold hearings, issue subpoenas and summon and examine witnesses under oath and issue subpoenas duces tecum for the production of books, records, vouchers, memoranda, documents, letters, tapes or other recordings or other papers or items. If any person refuses to obey a subpoena, the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or any judge of the court if it is not in session, shall, upon application of the secretary, have jurisdiction to issue to the person an order requiring him to appear before the secretary or to produce the books, records, vouchers, memoranda, documents, letters, tapes or other recordings or other papers or items requested.

      (b) The secretary may, in connection with the performance of his duties under any other statute or act, apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or to a judge of the court if the court is not in session, for a subpoena to compel the attendance and testimony under oath of witnesses or the production of books, records, vouchers, memoranda, documents, letters, tapes or other recordings or other papers or items. The court or judge shall, before issuing the subpoena, provide adequate opportunity for the secretary and the party against whom the subpoena is requested to be heard. No such subpoena shall be issued unless the court or judge finds that the attendance and testimony of the witness or the production of the requested material is reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of such other statute or act and that the secretary has made reasonable efforts to secure the attendance, testimony and requested material without recourse to compulsory process. Such subpoena shall be served by a proper officer or indifferent person.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 6, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 4, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 78-268, S. 2, 5; 78-280, S. 6, 127; 78-303, S. 90, 136; P.A. 81-330, S. 1, 13; 81-457, S. 11; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4-6.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced "administrator", i.e. of energy agency, with "commissioner", i.e. of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of planning and energy policy with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 78-268 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 4-91 and replaced "his" with "said secretary's" for clarity; P.A. 78-280 replaced Hartford county with judicial district of Hartford-New Britain; P.A. 78-303 deleted reference to repealed Secs. 4-60a, 4-60b and 4-70a; P.A. 81-330 terminated board's subpoena power, gave secretary subpoena powers in connection with his duties under chapters 295 and 296 and divided section into two subsections; P.A. 81-457 removed the reference to Sec. 5-211, which was repealed by the same public act; P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.

      Sec. 16a-6. Cooperation of other state agencies. License for sale of gasoline. Each department, office, board, commission, council or other agency of the state and each officer or employee shall cooperate with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and shall furnish him such information, personnel and assistance as may be necessary or appropriate in the discharge of the responsibilities of the secretary and the board under this chapter and sections 4-5, 4-124l, 4-124p, 8-3b, 8-32a, 8-33a, 8-35a, 8-189, subsection (b) of section 8-206, sections 16a-20, 16a-102, 22a-352 and 22a-353. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall require each person applying for a license under section 14-319 to submit in his application the information which persons registering under section 16a-22d are required to submit. The commissioner shall furnish the secretary with this information.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 7, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 5, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 91, 136; P.A. 81-330, S. 5, 13; P.A. 88-248, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced energy agency administrator with commissioner of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 78-303 deleted reference to repealed Secs. 4-60a and 4-60b; P.A. 81-330 struck reference to Sec. 16a-19 and added requirement that license applicants under Sec. 14-319 include information required under Sec. 16a-22d and that this information be furnished to secretary; P.A. 88-248 deleted obsolete reference to Sec. 2-73; (Revisor's note: In 1993 an obsolete reference to repealed Sec. 16-340 was deleted editorially by the Revisors).

      Sec. 16a-7. Annual report and recommendations by board. Section 16a-7 is repealed, effective July 1, 2003.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 8, 20; P.A. 82-222, S. 3, 7; P.A. 03-140, S. 25.)

      Sec. 16a-7a. Annual comprehensive energy plan. On or before January 1, 2004, and annually thereafter, the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board shall prepare a comprehensive energy plan based on existing reports and studies as to the need for new energy resources, new energy transmission facilities in the state and new energy conservation initiatives in the state. The board shall hold regional public hearings on the proposed plan and shall give at least thirty days' notice of each hearing by publication on the Internet websites of the agencies participating on the board. Notice of such hearing may be published in one or more newspapers having general circulation in each municipality as deemed necessary by the board. The notice shall state the date, time and place of the hearing, the subject matter of the hearing, the statutory authority for the plan and the location where a copy of the plan may be examined. Any person may comment on the proposed plan. The board shall provide a time period of not less than forty-five days from the date the notice is published on the Internet websites of the agencies participating on the board for review and comment. The board shall consider fully, after all public hearings, all written and oral comments respecting the proposed plan and shall mail to each person who commented or requested notification, notice of availability of the following documents at a designated location: The text of the final plan, a summary of the differences between the proposed and final plan and the reasons for such differences, and the principal considerations raised in opposition to the proposed plan and the reasons for rejecting any such considerations. The chairman of the board shall sign the final plan and shall submit it to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy, the environment and transportation. Such plan shall reflect the legislative findings and policy stated in section 16a-35k, shall be consistent with the state plan of conservation and development adopted under chapter 297 and shall include, but not be limited to, (1) an assessment of current energy supplies, demand and costs; (2) an identification and evaluation of the factors likely to affect future energy supplies, demand and costs; (3) a statement of progress made toward long-term goals set in the previous report; (4) recommendations for decreasing dependency on fossil fuels by promoting energy conservation, solar and other alternative energy sources; (5) an assessment of the infrastructure of the state for natural gas and electric systems; (6) an evaluation of the impact of regional transmission infrastructure planning processes conducted by the regional independent system operator, as defined in section 16-1, on the state's environment, on energy market design, and on economic development in the state; (7) the consideration of alternative energy planning mechanisms and targets as an alternative to integrated resource planning; (8) a statement of energy policies and long-range energy planning objectives and strategies appropriate to achieve, among other things, the least-cost mix of energy supply sources and measures that reduce demand for energy, giving due regard to such factors as ratepayer impacts, security and diversity of fuel supplies and energy generating methods, protection of public health and safety, adverse or beneficial environmental impacts, conservation of energy and energy resources and the ability of the state to compete economically; and (9) recommendations for administrative and legislative actions to implement such policies, objectives and strategies.

      (P.A. 03-140, S. 17; P.A. 04-236, S. 15.)

      History: P.A. 03-140 effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 04-236 made technical changes, effective June 8, 2004.

      Sec. 16a-7b. Infrastructure criteria guidelines. Not later than December 1, 2004, the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board shall develop infrastructure criteria guidelines for the evaluation process under subsection (f) of section 16a-7c, which guidelines shall be consistent with state environmental policy, state economic development policy, the state's policy regarding the restructuring of the electric industry, as set forth in section 16-244, and the findings in the comprehensive energy plan prepared pursuant to section 16a-7a, and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Environmental preference standards; (2) efficiency standards, including, but not limited to, efficiency standards for transmission, generation and demand-side management; (3) generation preference standards; (4) electric capacity, use trends and forecasted resource needs; (5) natural gas capacity, use trends and forecasted resource needs; and (6) national and regional reliability criteria applicable to the regional bulk power grid, as determined in consultation with the regional independent system operator, as defined in section 16-1. In developing environmental preference standards, the board shall consider the recommendations and findings of the task force established pursuant to section 25-157a and Executive Order Number 26 of Governor John G. Rowland.

      (P.A. 03-140, S. 18; P.A. 04-191, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 03-140 effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 04-191 added provision re consideration of recommendations and findings of task force in developing environmental preference standards, effective July 1, 2004.

      Sec. 16a-7c. Request-for-proposal: Solicitation, submission, evaluation report. (a) Not later than fifteen days after receiving information pursuant to subsection (e) of section 16-50l, the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board shall publish such information in one or more newspapers or periodicals, as selected by the board.

      (b) On or after December 1, 2004, not later than fifteen days after the filing of an application pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 16-50i, except for an application for a facility described in subdivision (5) or (6) of subsection (a) of section 16-50i, the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board shall issue a request-for-proposal to seek alternative solutions to the need that will be addressed by the proposed facility in such application. Such request-for-proposal shall, where relevant, solicit proposals that include distributed generation or energy efficiency measures. The board shall publish such request-for-proposal in one or more newspapers or periodicals, as selected by the board.

      (c) The board may issue a request-for-proposal for solutions to a need for new energy resources, new energy transmission facilities in the state, and new energy conservation initiatives in the state identified in the annual comprehensive energy report prepared under section 16a-7a or identified in regional energy system planning processes conducted by the regional independent system operator, as defined in section 16-1. Such request-for-proposal shall, where relevant, solicit proposals that include distributed generation or energy efficiency measures. The board shall publish such request-for-proposal in one or more newspapers or periodicals, as selected by the board.

      (d) Not later than sixty days after the first date of publication of a request-for-proposal, a person or any legal entity may submit a proposal by filing with the board information as such person or entity may consider relevant to such proposal. The board may request further information from the person or entity that it deems necessary to evaluate the proposal pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.

      (e) Upon the submission of a proposal pursuant to a request-for-proposal, the person or entity submitting the proposal shall consult with the municipality in which the facility may be located and with any other municipality that would be required to be served with a copy of an application for such proposal under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 16-50l concerning the proposed and alternative sites of the facility. Such consultation with the municipality shall include, but not be limited to, good faith efforts to meet with the chief elected official of the municipality. At the time of the consultation, the person or entity submitting the proposal shall provide the chief elected official with any technical reports concerning the public need, the site selection process and the environmental effects of the proposed facility. The municipality may conduct public hearings and meetings as it deems necessary for it to advise the person or entity submitting the proposal of its recommendations concerning the proposed facility. Within sixty days of the initial consultation, the municipality shall issue its recommendations to the person or entity submitting the proposal. If a person or entity chooses to file an application pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 16-50l, then such person or entity shall provide to the Connecticut Siting Council a summary of the consultations with the municipality, including all recommendations issued by the municipality. A person or entity that has complied with this subsection shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (e) of section 16-50l.

      (f) Not later than forty-five days after the deadline for submissions in response to a request-for-proposal, the board shall issue a report that evaluates each proposal received, including any proposal contained in an application to the council that initiated a request-for-proposal, based on the materials received pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, or information contained in the application, as required by section 16-50l, for conformance with the infrastructure criteria guidelines created pursuant to section 6a-7b. The board shall forward the results of such evaluation process to the Connecticut Siting Council.

      (P.A. 03-140, S. 19.)

      History: P.A. 03-140 effective October 1, 2004.

      Sec. 16a-8. Programs to foster cooperative effort. The board shall encourage programs to foster cooperative efforts by and among Connecticut business, industry, utilities, the academic community and government to develop new sources of energy.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 9, 20; P.A. 03-140, S. 21.)

      History: P.A. 03-140 deleted provision re inclusion of recommendations in report pursuant to Sec. 16a-7, effective July 1, 2003.

      Sec. 16a-9. Energy emergency plan. Amendments. (a) There shall continue to be an energy emergency plan. Said plan may include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Establishment of programs, controls, standards, priorities and quotas for the allocation, rationing, conservation, distribution and consumption of available energy resources, (2) suspension and modification of existing statutes, standards and requirements affecting or affected by the use of energy resources, (3) adoption of measures affecting the type and composition and production and distribution of energy resources, (4) imposition of price restrictions on energy resources, (5) adoption of measures affecting the hours and days on which public buildings and commercial and industrial establishments may be or are required to remain open or closed and (6) establishment and implementation of regional programs and agreements for the purpose of coordinating energy resource programs and actions of the state with those of the federal government and of other states and localities. Said plan shall include such levels of energy emergency as the secretary shall establish.

      (b) The secretary shall prepare or cause to be prepared such amendments to the energy emergency plan as he may deem necessary. Such amendments shall be submitted to the General Assembly no later than fifteen days after the convening of any regular session of the General Assembly following the preparation of such amendments and shall be referred by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate to the joint standing committee having cognizance of matters relating to energy. Said committee shall review such amendments and report its recommendations within fifteen days to the General Assembly. The General Assembly may by joint resolution disapprove or reject any section or sections of such amendments within forty-five days after the submittal of such amendments.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 10, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 6, 55; P.A. 79-572, S. 1, 10; P.A. 88-220, S. 2, 11; P.A. 91-367, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 continued existence of emergency plan, deleting provision which had called for administrator to prepare one, and deleted Subsec. (b) re submission of plan for general assembly's approval; P.A. 79-572 required plan to include levels of emergency established by secretary of office of policy and management and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re amendments to plan; P.A. 88-220 deleted the 1980 reporting requirement formerly in Subsec. (c); P.A. 91-367 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize the plan to include the imposition of price restrictions on energy resources.

      Sec. 16a-10. Joint legislative committee established. There is established a joint legislative committee consisting of the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of both houses of the General Assembly, and the cochairpersons and the ranking minority members of the committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to energy. All records of meetings of said committee shall be a matter of public record.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 11, 20; P.A. 79-572, S. 2, 10.)

      History: P.A. 79-572 included as committee members cochairpersons and ranking minority members of energy committee.

      Sec. 16a-11. Governor's proclamation of energy emergency. Order implementing plan. Review and disapproval. Termination. (a) In the event of an energy emergency, the Governor may proclaim that such emergency exists and designate by order all or any part of the energy emergency plan he intends to implement and the effective date thereof, provided during any such energy emergency, the Governor may designate by order additional parts of said energy emergency plan to be implemented and the effective dates thereof. Any such order by the Governor pursuant to this section shall become effective upon filing said proclamation and designation in the office of the Secretary of the State. Such proclamation and any such designation shall be published in full at least once in a newspaper having general circulation in each county, provided failure to publish shall not impair the validity of such proclamation or designation.

      (b) Any proclamation may be disapproved by the joint legislative committee established under section 16a-10 at a meeting which shall be held within seventy-two hours after the filing of such proclamation in the office of the Secretary of the State. Such disapproval shall be by a majority vote, provided at least one of the minority leaders shall vote for such disapproval. Notwithstanding such disapproval, such proclamation and any order pursuant to this section shall be valid and effective from the time the Governor files such proclamation until such time as said committee files its disapproval in the office of the Secretary of the State. Any proclamation not disapproved shall remain in effect until the Governor proclaims the end of the energy emergency or until three hundred days after the date of the proclamation of the energy emergency. The joint legislative committee shall meet to review the proclamation of an energy emergency every sixty days until such emergency ends and may disapprove such proclamation by a simple majority vote. Any order or designation shall remain in effect until termination by further order by the Governor, which termination shall become effective upon filing such order in the office of the Secretary of the State. Such order shall be published in full at least once in a newspaper having general circulation in each county, provided failure to publish shall not impair the validity of such order.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 12, 20; P.A. 79-572, S. 3, 10.)

      History: P.A. 79-572 provided that proclamation ceases to have effect three hundred days after date emergency was proclaimed, required review of proclamation every sixty days and provided for disapproval by majority vote in Subsec. (b).

      Sec. 16a-12. Energy emergency not covered by state plan. Review and disapproval. Termination. (a) In the event of an emergency not covered by said plan, the Governor may proclaim an energy emergency and in connection therewith issue orders such as are permitted pursuant to chapter 517 and such orders may include (1) establishment of programs, controls, standards, priorities and quotas for the allocation, rationing, conservation, distribution and consumption of available energy resources, (2) suspension and modification of existing statutes, standards and requirements affecting or affected by the use of energy resources, (3) adoption of measures affecting the type and composition and production and distribution of energy resources, (4) imposition of price restrictions on energy resources, (5) adoption of measures affecting the hours and days on which public buildings and commercial and industrial establishments may be or are required to remain open or closed and (6) establishment and implementation of regional programs and agreements for the purpose of coordinating energy resource programs and actions of the state with those of the federal government and of other states and localities. Prior to the issuance of such an order, the Governor shall make written findings that there is an energy emergency and that the order is necessary to assure the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state. Any such orders shall be promulgated in the same manner as provided in subsection (a) of section 16a-11.

      (b) Any proclamation or order issued or promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be disapproved by the joint legislative committee established under section 16a-10 within seventy-two hours of the filing of such proclamation or order in the office of the Secretary of the State. Such disapproval shall be by a majority vote, provided at least one of the minority leaders shall vote for such disapproval. Notwithstanding such disapproval, such proclamation or any order shall be valid and effective from the time the Governor files such proclamation or order until such time as said committee files its disapproval in the office of the Secretary of the State. Any proclamation not disapproved shall remain in effect until the Governor proclaims the end of the energy emergency or until three hundred days after the date of the proclamation of the energy emergency. The joint legislative committee shall meet to review the proclamation of an energy emergency every sixty days until such emergency ends and may disapprove such proclamation by a simple majority vote. Such order shall remain in effect until termination by further order by the Governor, which termination shall become effective upon filing such order in the office of the Secretary of the State. Such order shall be published in full at least once in a newspaper having general circulation in each county, provided failure to publish shall not impair the validity of such order.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 13, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 7, 55; P.A. 79-572, S. 4, 10; P.A. 91-367, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 removed obsolete reference to emergencies prior to adoption of plan in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-572 added provisions re expiration of proclamation after three hundred days, sixty-day reviews and disapproval by majority vote; P.A. 91-367 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize the imposition of price restrictions on energy resources and to require the governor, before issuing an order, to make written findings re the existence of an energy emergency and the necessity of the order.

      Sec. 16a-13. Aggrieved parties. Petition for exemption. Penalty for false statement. Exemptions. Appeal. Regulations. (a) (1) Any person aggrieved by any order issued under section 16a-11 or 16a-12 may file a petition with the secretary requesting an exemption. The petition shall be in such form as the secretary may prescribe. The person filing the petition shall be subject to the penalty for making a false statement under section 53a-157b.

      (2) The secretary may grant an exemption to any person who due to certain circumstances is unable to comply with such order without suffering inordinate hardship beyond that hardship suffered by persons generally, including, but not limited to, circumstances where in the absence of such exemption the petitioner would: (A) Be prevented from performing activities essential to the pursuit of his regular occupation or profession, (B) suffer adverse medical effects or be unable to obtain necessary medical treatment, or (C) incur permanent and substantial injury to person or property. The secretary may also grant an exemption to any person who performs an essential public service and who would be prevented from performing such service or would be impaired in his performance in the absence of such exemption.

      (3) In making a determination pursuant to this subsection, the secretary may compare the relevant circumstances of the petitioner with (A) other users of the same fuel, users of other fuels, or both, or (B) other persons in the same economic sector or subsector, persons in other economic sectors or subsectors, or both, as determined by the secretary to be most appropriate in terms of the specific energy resource availability situation existing or forecast at the time such comparison is made.

      (b) The secretary may investigate any such petition and consider in his decision any relevant factual finding resulting from such investigation. The secretary may accept submissions from third parties relevant to such petition, provided the petitioner is afforded the opportunity to respond to such third party submissions. The secretary may also consider any other sources of relevant information in deciding the petition before him. The secretary may hold an informal hearing, if, in his opinion, such hearing is advisable.

      (c) If the secretary determines that there is insufficient information upon which to base a decision and if upon request the required additional information is not furnished, the petition may be dismissed without prejudice. The secretary shall grant, deny or dismiss without prejudice such petition not more than thirty days after receipt of such petition. The secretary may make his decision granting an exemption conditional upon the petitioner's taking actions specified in such decision. Upon the granting, denying or dismissal of such petition, the secretary shall notify the petitioner, in writing, the reasons for his decision.

      (d) The secretary may reconsider and alter any decision under this section as he deems necessary to implement such plan, or any provision of such plan or any order adopted pursuant to section 16a-11 or 16a-12. The secretary may suspend or revoke any exemption for any reason including but not limited to: (1) Changed circumstances where the grounds for granting an exemption to the petitioner have ceased to exist, (2) failure on the part of the petitioner to comply with conditions specified in the secretary's decision granting the exemption, or (3) where the exemption was issued by mistake or on the basis of misrepresentation or false pretenses on the part of the petitioner.

      (e) The provisions of sections 4-176e to 4-181a, inclusive, shall not apply to any proceeding held pursuant to subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the secretary may appeal such decision in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-183 and 4-184.

      (f) The secretary shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, establishing administrative procedures to implement the provisions of this section with respect to petitions for exemption.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 14, 20; P.A. 75-156; 75-537, S. 8, 55; 75-567, S. 75, 80; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 79-572, S. 5, 10; P.A. 80-125, S. 1, 3; 80-483, S. 67, 186; P.A. 81-330, S. 2, 13; P.A. 88-317, S. 65, 107.)

      History: P.A. 75-156 added provision re exemptions in Subsec. (a); P.A. 75-537 and 75-567 replaced energy agency administrator with commissioner of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 79-572 replaced energy use sectors with economic sectors or subsectors in Subsec. (a) and clarified procedure for determining whether exemption warranted, replaced Sec. 4-180 with Sec. 4-181 in Subsec. (e) and added Subsec. (f) re adoption of regulations governing exemption petitions; P.A. 80-125 restated and expanded exemption provisions in Subsec. (a), added provision in Subsec. (c) re conditional exemption and added provisions in Subsec. (d) re suspension or revocation of exemption; P.A. 80-483 made technical changes; P.A. 81-330 added provision in Subsec. (a) subjecting person filing petition to penalty for false statement; P.A. 88-317 amended reference to Secs. 4-177 to 4-181 in Subsec. (e) to include new sections added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date.

      See Sec. 16a-13a re consideration of past levels of energy consumption or changes in energy consumption in decision to grant or deny exemption.

      Sec. 16a-13a. Levels of energy consumption considered in grant or denial of exemption. Regulations. (a) The secretary, in granting or denying an exemption under section 16a-13 may take into account past levels of energy consumption or changes therein on the part of the person seeking such exemption.

      (b) The secretary may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, which establish procedures for documenting past levels of energy consumption or changes therein for the purposes of an exemption under said section 16a-13.

      (c) The secretary may grant an exemption if he determines that the person seeking the exemption has fulfilled the conditions contained in such regulations. The regulations shall permit exemption: (1) In cases where the applicant documents an absolute reduction in energy consumption over such periods of time as the regulations may establish, which periods may vary for different categories of persons, and the reduction is the result of physical or behavioral changes or adjustments undertaken for energy conservation purposes and not from changes or modifications undertaken for other purposes, such as alterations in building size, extent or type of production capacity or utilization thereof, or changes in the nature or number of work force employed, which changes were not undertaken for energy conservation purposes; or (2) in cases where the applicant documents that his consumption of energy is substantially less than that of other persons in like circumstances over such period of time as the regulations may establish, which periods may vary for different categories of persons, and the level of consumption is due to physical or behavioral factors, changes or adjustments, undertaken for energy conservation purposes and not from factors, changes or modifications not so related.

      (d) The regulations may provide that reductions in or levels of energy consumption which occur subsequent to the proclamation of an energy emergency pursuant to section 16a-11 or section 16a-12 shall not constitute the basis for exemption unless the reductions are due solely to actions undertaken prior to such proclamation.

      (P.A. 79-572, S. 6, 10.)

      Sec. 16a-13b. Responsibilities of secretary in energy emergency activities. (a) The secretary shall: (1) Be responsible for the conduct and administration of energy emergency planning and preparedness activities generally, including the coordination of such activities under this title with other state emergency planning conducted under any other provisions of the general statutes or special acts and with energy emergency planning or preparedness activities undertaken by the federal government, other states and regional or interstate organizations, and (2) coordinate, under the direction of the office of the Governor, the adoption and implementation of emergency measures by state departments during any energy emergency proclaimed under section 16a-11 or section 16a-12, including the coordination of state, federal, regional and interstate activities.

      (b) In exercising the responsibilities under subsection (a) of this section, the secretary shall consult with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Public Utility Control, the Department of Transportation and such other state agencies as the secretary deems appropriate. Each state agency shall assist the secretary in carrying out the responsibilities assigned by sections 16a-9 to 16a-13d, inclusive.

      (P.A. 79-572, S. 9, 10; P.A. 80-482, S. 4, 40, 345, 348; P.A. 88-135, S. 3; P.A. 04-219, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 80-482 made division of public utility control an independent department and abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 88-135 substituted office of "emergency management" for office of "civil preparedness" in Subsec. (b); P.A. 04-219 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for Office of Emergency Management, effective January 1, 2005.

      Sec. 16a-13c. Violation of energy emergency plan or order. Interference with energy emergency activities. Penalties. Any person who during the course of an energy emergency proclaimed under this chapter violates any provision of the energy emergency plan which has been implemented pursuant to section 16a-11 or any order adopted pursuant to section 16a-12, or who obtains an exemption pursuant to section 16a-13 by misrepresentation or false pretenses, or who impedes, interferes with or obstructs any lawful energy emergency activities pursuant to this chapter, or who violates any provision of this chapter, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, for each offense. Each violation and each day on which the violation occurs or continues shall be a separate offense.

      (P.A. 79-572, S. 7, 10; P.A. 80-125, S. 2, 3.)

      History: P.A. 80-125 included in penalty provision those who gain exemption by misrepresentation or false pretenses.

      Sec. 16a-13d. Study on establishing a reserve of energy resources. Section 16a-13d is repealed.

      (P.A. 79-572, S. 8, 10; P.A. 86-187, S. 9, 10; P.A. 95-217, S. 9.)

      Sec. 16a-14. General powers and duties of the secretary re energy matters. In addition to the duties set forth in any other law, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may: (1) Be designated as the state official to implement and execute any federal program, law, order, rule or regulation related to the allocation, rationing, conservation, distribution or consumption of energy resources, (2) investigate any complaint concerning the violation of any federal or state statute, rule, regulation or order pertaining to pricing, allocation, rationing, conservation, distribution or consumption of energy resources and shall transmit any evidence gathered by such investigation to the proper federal or state authorities, (3) coordinate all state and local government programs for the allocation, rationing, conservation, distribution and consumption of energy resources, (4) cooperate with the appropriate authorities of the United States government, or other state or interstate agencies with respect to allocation, rationing, conservation, distribution and consumption of energy resources, (5) conduct programs of public education regarding energy conservation, (6) carry out a program of studies, hearings, inquiries, surveys and analyses necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and sections 4-124c, 4-124i, 4-124l, 4-124p, 8-3b, 8-31a, 8-32a, 8-33a, 8-35a, 8-37a, 8-189, subsection (b) of section 8-206, sections 16a-20, 16a-102, 22a-352 and 22a-353, provided if an individual or business furnishing commercial or financial information concerning said individual or business requests in writing at the time such information is furnished that it be treated as confidential proprietary information, such information, to the extent that it is limited to (a) volume of sales, shipments, receipts and exchanges of energy resources, (b) inventories of energy resources and (c) local distribution patterns of energy resources, shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of section 1-210, (7) enter into contracts with any person to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the functions, powers and duties of the secretary and the Office of Policy and Management under this chapter and sections 4-5, 4-124l, 4-124p, 8-3b, 8-32a, 8-33a, 8-35a, 8-189, subsection (b) of section 8-206, sections 16a-20, 16a-102, 22a-352 and 22a-353, (8) adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54, to establish standards for solar energy systems, including experimental systems, which offer practical alternatives to the use of conventional energy with regard to current technological feasibility and the climate of this state, and (9) undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may be delegated by other state statutes or by the Governor.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 15, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 9, 55; P.A. 76-364; 76-409, S. 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 78-268, S. 3, 5; 78-303, S. 92, 136; P.A. 79-576, S. 3, 7; P.A. 81-330, S. 11, 13; P.A. 88-116, S. 9; 88-248, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced energy agency and its administrator with department and commissioner of planning and energy policy; P.A. 76-364 replaced specific provisions re election of selectmen with statement that Sec. 9-167a applies to election of selectmen; P.A. 76-409 added Subdiv. (8) re standards for solar energy systems; P.A. 77-614 replaced department and commissioner of planning and energy policy with office of policy and management and its secretary; P.A. 78-268 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 4-91; P.A. 78-303 deleted references to repealed Secs. 4-60a, 4-60b and 4-70a; P.A. 79-576 updated section references; P.A. 81-330 deleted references to Sec. 16a-19; P.A. 88-116 deleted obsolete reference to Sec. 4-124g; P.A. 88-248 deleted obsolete references to Sec. 2-73; (Revisor's note: In 1993 an obsolete reference to repealed Sec. 16-340 was deleted editorially by the Revisors).

      Sec. 16a-14a. Grant program for businesses involved in energy-related products and services. (a) The secretary may develop a program to provide grants to small businesses located within the state which are active in research, development, demonstration or commercial activities involving energy-related products and services for which funding from federal and other nonstate sources is not available. Such assistance shall be designed to carry out the purposes of this chapter and chapter 298.

      (b) The secretary shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, to govern the operation of any such grant program and to define small businesses, or specific categories thereof, which are eligible for such grants. Priority shall be accorded to the development of small scale technology applicable to residential dwellings and municipal facilities.

      (P.A. 79-576, S. 4, 7; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 16a-14b. Testing programs for energy-related products. Regulations. Report. (a) The secretary shall develop voluntary testing programs for energy-related products or categories of such products. Such testing shall be designed to protect the interests of consumers by providing reliable information on such products, and may include the evaluation of the energy efficiency, durability, reliability, health and safety aspects, life-cycle cost or other performance qualities of such products.

      (b) The secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 establishing provisions (1) for standardized procedures for the performance of such testing; (2) for categories of energy-related products to be covered by such testing procedures; (3) to differentiate between the testing of experimental energy-related products and commercial energy-related products, to determine the range of models produced by a specific manufacturer to which testing results will apply and to ensure that products submitted for testing constitute a representative sample of those produced within such range by said manufacturer; (4) for a standardized format for the compilation of information from such tests which shall include all relevant information from each type of test performed on a product; (5) for the designation of qualified state or state-certified facilities to perform such testing; provided, no person or organization which has any pecuniary interest in the manufacture, distribution or sale of energy-related products within or without the state shall be eligible for such designation; and (6) for a schedule of reasonable fees for the performance of such tests or a procedure for establishing such a schedule.

      (P.A. 79-576, S. 5, 7; P.A. 88-220, S. 3, 11; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 88-220 deleted former Subsec. (c) which had contained obsolete reporting requirement; 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.

      Secs. 16a-14c and 16a-14d. Comprehensive energy plan. Technical advisory group; recommendations regarding electric energy efficiency; regulations. Sections 16a-14c and 16a-14d are repealed.

      (P.A. 90-219, S. 4, 7; P.A. 92-138, S. 3; P.A. 96-23.)

      Sec. 16a-14e. Office of Policy and Management. Duty to operate purchasing pool for purchase of electricity. The Office of Policy and Management shall operate a purchasing pool for the purchase of electricity for state operations. Said office shall provide the opportunity to participate in such purchasing pool to each household that includes an individual who receives means-tested assistance administered by the state or federal government. Any such household shall receive through such purchasing pool the same benefits and rate discounts available for state facilities. The Office of Policy and Management shall use federal and state energy assistance funds to leverage the lowest practicable electric rates for households participating in such pool, provided such funds shall not be used for administrative purposes. The provisions of section 16-245 shall not apply to the Office of Policy and Management for purposes of this section.

      (P.A. 98-28, S. 60, 117.)

      History: P.A. 98-28 effective July 1, 1998.

      Sec. 16a-15. Display of signs on fuel pumps. Display of signs posting gas price for public and members of retail membership organization. Regulations. Penalty. (a) Each person shall publicly display and maintain on each pump or other dispensing device from which any gasoline or other product intended as a fuel for aircraft, motor boats or motor vehicles is sold by such person, such signs as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, by regulation adopted pursuant to chapter 54, may require to inform the public of the octane rating and price of such gasoline or other product. Each person selling such gasoline or other product on both a full-serve and self-serve basis and displaying the price of such gasoline or other product at a location on the premises other than at a pump or other dispensing device shall include in such display both the full-serve and self-serve prices of such gasoline or other product, in such manner as the commissioner, by regulation, may require. All signs as to price shall be the per-gallon price and shall not be the price of less or more than one gallon.

      (b) Each person shall publicly display and maintain on each pump or other dispensing device from which any gasoline or other product containing more than one per cent by volume of ethanol, methanol or any other cosolvent, and intended as a fuel for aircraft, motor boats or motor vehicles is sold by such person, such signs as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, by regulation adopted pursuant to chapter 54, may require to inform the public of the amount of methanol, ethanol or any other cosolvent contained in such gasoline or other product.

      (c) Each person shall publicly display and maintain, in a like manner, size and print, on each sign on display to the general public intended to inform the public of the price of gasoline and each pump or other dispensing device from which any gasoline intended as a fuel for motor vehicles is sold by such person, such signs as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, by regulation adopted pursuant to chapter 54, may require to inform the public of the price for such gasoline for such members of the public as any such sign that informs of the price of such gasoline for members of any club, members of any retail membership organization or persons who qualify for any special discount offer.

      (d) Any manufacturer, hauler, blender, agent, jobber, consignment agent, or distributor who distributes gasoline, or other products intended as fuel for aircraft, motor boats, or motor vehicles, which contain one per cent or more alcohol by volume, shall state the percentage of alcohol and the type of alcohol on any invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation used in normal and customary business practices.

      (e) Any person who, by himself, his agent or employee, violates any provision of this section or such regulations shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars.

      (f) A violation of subsection (c) of this section shall constitute an unfair trade practice under subsection (a) of section 42-110b.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 17, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 10, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 80-436, S. 6, 7; P.A. 84-244, S. 1; 84-279, S. 2; P.A. 98-128, S. 6, 10; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c), (d); P.A. 04-169, S. 17; 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 05-89, S. 1; P.A. 06-29, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced energy agency administrator with commissioner of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 80-436 required that signs display per-gallon price; P.A. 84-244 divided section into Subsecs. and required persons selling gasoline or other product on both a full-serve and self-serve basis and displaying the price of the product in a place other than the pump to include in such display both the full-serve and self-serve price of the product as the commissioner of consumer protection requires; P.A. 84-279 inserted new Subsecs. (b) and (c), requiring invoices and signs to display the amount of methanol, ethanol or other cosolvent in gasoline or other fuel, designating prior provisions as Subsecs. (a) and (d) and substituting "commissioner of consumer protection" for "secretary" in Subsec. (a); P.A. 98-128 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), added new Subsec. (c) to establish specific requirements for the period commencing May 27, 1998, and ending on October 1, 1998 re displaying a notice to inform public of requirements of Subsec. (c) of Sec. 14-332a and redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), effective May 27, 1998; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 and P.A. 04-169 replaced Commissioner and Department of Consumer Protection with Commissioner and Department 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; P.A. 05-89 amended Subsec. (c) by designating existing provisions as new Subdiv. (1), making technical changes therein, and adding new Subdiv. (2) re posting of gas prices for members of the public and members of any retail membership organization, effective June 7, 2005; P.A. 06-29 deleted former Subsec. (c)(1) re notice display during period from May 27, 1998, to October 1, 1998, redesignated existing Subsec. (c)(2) as new Subsec. (c) and added Subsec. (f) specifying that violation of Subsec. (c) is an unfair trade practice, effective May 8, 2006.

      Sec. 16a-15a. Notice of full-serve and self-serve fuel pumps. Notice of discounts. Handicapped drivers. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 specifying the manner in which retail dealers, as defined in section 14-318, shall notify customers of the location of self-service and full-service fuel pumps or any pumps at which discounts are offered for cash payment or credit cards are accepted. The regulations shall include provision for the direction of handicapped drivers to the appropriate self-service pump as provided in section 14-325b.

      (P.A. 84-244, S. 2; 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.

      Sec. 16a-16. Enforcement; injunctions, damages. Remedies not exclusive. (a) This chapter may be enforced by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management in the superior court for any judicial district in which any person who violates any provisions of this chapter resides or maintains a place of business by an ex parte temporary injunction issued by said court or a judge thereof; provided, if such injunction is issued, such person may file a motion to dissolve such injunction and a hearing upon such motion shall be held by the superior court not later than three days after service of such motion upon the Governor pursuant to an order of said court or a judge thereof. If a permanent injunction is granted, such person may be assessed damages of not more than ten thousand dollars plus court costs.

      (b) The provisions of this section are not exclusive, and the remedies provided for in this section shall be in addition to any other remedy provided for in any other section of the general statutes or available under common law.

      (P.A. 74-285, S. 16, 20; P.A. 75-537, S. 11, 55; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127.)

      History: P.A. 75-537 replaced energy agency administrator with commissioner of planning and energy policy; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 78-280 replaced "county" with "judicial district".