Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced an investigation into EnergyBillCruncher for making false claims that the government would cover solar installation costs, misusing the state seal, and creating false urgency. The investigation seeks information on the company's ownership, consumer interactions, and partnerships. This is part of broader actions against deceptive solar sales tactics.
In-house legal teams should review all customer-facing agreements (including solar installation contracts, financing agreements, and lead generation partnerships) and vendor agreements with marketing/sales partners. Key clauses to scrutinize include: representations and warranties regarding government rebates or coverage; prohibitions on misuse of government seals or insignia; restrictions on creating false urgency (e.g., artificial deadlines); requirements for clear disclosure of partnerships; and audit rights for marketing materials. Contracts may need amendments to mandate pre-approval of all advertising, include explicit 'no government endorsement' disclaimers, and require partners to warrant compliance with state consumer protection laws. Vendor agreements should also include indemnification for deceptive marketing claims and robust cooperation clauses for regulatory inquiries.
Entity
EnergyBillCruncher.com
Also known as: EnergyBillCruncher
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-investigation-into-energybillcruncher
2024 08 02 energybillcruncher letter.pdf?rev=f5c516e57d1f4df
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/2024-08-02-energybillcruncher-letter.pdf?rev=f5c516e57d1f4df8a7d17ca5eaae82bf&hash=6A831D0DDF6CAADC3DEB832938346811
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$20K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $20,000 settlement with EnergyBillCruncher.com for misleading solar marketing tactics, including false claims about government coverage, misuse of the state seal, and false urgency in social media ads. The company must cease these practices and notify its solar installer partners.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.