Conn. Agencies Regs. § 16-47a-6 - Marketing

(a) This section shall not apply to interactions between a gas company and another Connecticut-regulated utility company.

(b) A gas company shall not promote or market any goods or services offered by an unregulated affiliate, or engage in joint promotions, advertising or marketing programs of any sort with an unregulated affiliate. A gas company shall not authorize any unregulated affiliate marketing, promotions or advertising to be included on customers' bills, as bill inserts or as a link on the gas company's website.

(c) A gas company's name, logo or trademark may be used by an affiliate provided such use is not misleading. When an affiliate markets or communicates to the public using a gas company's name, logo or trademark, it shall include a legible disclaimer that clearly and conspicuously states that:

(1) The affiliate is not the same company as the gas company and the gas company has separate management and separate employees;

(2) If the affiliate is an unregulated affiliate, the disclaimer shall state that the affiliate is not regulated by the Department or in any way sanctioned by the Department, and the prices of the affiliate are not regulated by the Department;

(3) Purchasers of goods or services from an affiliate will receive no preference or special treatment from the gas company; and

(4) A customer does not have to buy natural gas or other goods or services from the affiliate to receive the same quality of service from the gas company.

(d) The disclaimer required in subsection (c) of this section shall be sized and displayed in a way that is commensurate with the name and logo so that the disclaimer is at least the larger of one-half the size of the type that first displays the name and logo or the predominant type used in the communication.

(e) When an affiliate advertises or communicates verbally through radio or television to the public using the gas company's name or logo, the affiliate shall include at the conclusion of the communication a disclaimer that includes all these same disclaimers. Such disclaimers shall not be required, however, on company vehicles, clothing, trinkets, writing instruments, or similar promotional materials or in any advertising or other promotional materials including those involving charities or charitable events or direct or indirect contributions to and/or support of charities or similar organizations.

Notes

Conn. Agencies Regs. § 16-47a-6

Adopted effective February 8, 2011