Sec. 16-8b. Labor disputes at public service companies. Determination of unreasonable profits during dispute. Refunds.
Sec. 16-8b. Labor disputes at public service companies. Determination of unreasonable profits during dispute. Refunds. Whenever a labor dispute at a public
service company, as defined in section 16-1, results in a work stoppage for a period of
more than seven days, the Department of Public Utility Control shall initiate a proceeding not later than thirty days after the termination of the labor dispute to determine
whether the public service company, as a result of such work stoppage, earned unreasonable profits and whether the quality of service to the customers of such public service
company was impaired. The department may issue such remedial orders as may be
necessary to protect ratepayers including, but not limited to, refunds or other adjustments.
(P.A. 87-82.)
"Unreasonable profits", as determined by text and legislative history, are not measured by authorized rate of return
pursuant to Sec. 16-247k, but by an incremental analysis that considers whether public utility earned profits as result of
not paying labor costs at a time when service to customers was impaired. 274 C. 119.