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N.H. Legislature Passes Rule Change For Fuel Pre-Buy Contracts

Teemu088, Flickr CC

New Hampshire's Legislature has approved changing when fuel dealers can contract with customers to buy fuel in advance.

The bill sent to the governor Wednesday is in response to disruptions in home heating oil deliveries this winter by one of New Hampshire's largest fuel companies. The bill prohibits dealers from advertising or soliciting earlier than May 1 for consumers to enter into contracts for the upcoming fuel season. Currently, the contracts can't be offered before Jan. 1.

Consumers could ask to sign contracts before May 1.

This winter, hundreds of customers complained about delivery problems with Fred Fuller Oil Co. The company blamed the problems on extreme weather conditions, a huge increase in demand and its phone system.

The bill also includes money for 22 towns toward flood control.

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