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An Act To Protect Heating Fuel Customers Who Close Their Accounts
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  10 MRSA c. 233  is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 233
REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECOVERED HEATING FUEL
§ 1500-O. Reimbursement for recovered heating fuel
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Dealer" means an entity engaged in the sale and delivery of heating fuel.
 
B.  "Heating fuel" means home heating oil, kerosene or liquefied petroleum gas.
 
2.  Reimbursement required.     A dealer shall reimburse a customer for any heating fuel recovered from the customer upon the closing of the customer's account not later than 30 days after the fuel is recovered. The rate of reimbursement is the lesser of the price per gallon paid by the customer for the recovered fuel and the retail price per gallon at the time the fuel is recovered.
 
3.  Unfair trade practice.     A dealer that fails to comply with any provision of this section commits an unfair and deceptive act that is a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires dealers of heating fuel to reimburse customers within 30 days for any fuel recovered following the closing of their accounts and makes failure to do so a violation of the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.