LD 1949
Addressing Rising Utility Costs & Energy Fairness
An Act Regarding Energy Fairness
Transitioning to clean energy means electrifying our energy grid, and it is paramount that this transition be equitable and fair, putting people before the profits of utility executives. This bill lays the groundwork for a fairer, more equitable energy system, by making two important changes to the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) laws and rules. First, it requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider the affordability of electricity as a central concern in their rate-making, establishing an “affordability” metric. Second, it requires that the PUC makes widely available and accessible important credit and collections data from Central Maine Power and Versant – Maine’s two biggest electricity providers – like customer debt, service disconnections, and more. This data will help the PUC make better decisions on rate-making, create more transparency with the public, and increase accountability and oversight.
Behind the Roll Call
LD 1949, championed by Sen. Anne Carney, took a long and winding road through the legislature. Initially passed out of the Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT) committee during the first session of the 132nd, there were some concerns about the scope of the bill, and it was sent back to committee for further work at the end of the first session. During the second session of the 132nd, there were several work sessions on the bill. MCV and Sen. Carney worked closely with the House Chair of the EUT committee, Rep. Melanie Sachs, to get consensus on the bill. At the end of the day, there were concerns by some in the committee that the bill didn’t provide enough protections for those at risk of utility shut-offs, and others who thought sections of the bill could open up the State to possible lawsuits. With the committee unable to come to consensus, the bill was amended to take out some of the more polarizing aspects. MCV will continue to work with legislators next session to strengthen shut-off protections and prevent utility companies from passing along certain expenses to ratepayers.
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