Committee advances Sen. Carney bill to improve electricity affordability

AUGUSTA – Yesterday, the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted to advance LD 1949, “An Act Regarding Energy Fairness.” Sponsored by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, the bill as amended would direct the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to systematically increase its focus on lowering residential energy costs by developing an electricity affordability metric, comprehensively analyzing electric delivery rates and integrating affordability considerations across its decision-making processes, regulatory functions and responsibilities more broadly.

“Utility services are a necessity, not a luxury. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping the lights on,” said Sen. Carney. “Hard-working Mainers are shouldering an energy cost burden that has continued to rise, year after year. Especially as climate change renders a widespread transition from fossil fuels to electricity an environmental, social and public health imperative, it is essential that we think broadly and systematically about how to ease that cost burden to ensure electricity is affordable for all.”

LD 1949 directs the PUC to consider affordability impacts to Maine residents across its suite of duties: establishing rates, granting utility operating authority, regulating utility service standards and monitoring utility operations for safety and reliability. Residential cost burden would become a key factor for consideration in all PUC decisions around its regulation and oversight of roughly 430 electric, telephone, water and gas utility companies and districts.

Recognizing the disproportionate weight of rising electric bills on Mainers’ wallets, LD 1949 directs the PUC to develop an affordability metric to assess residential customers’ electric bill burden. The bill also directs the PUC to undertake a comprehensive review of electric delivery rates to identify opportunities to contain customer costs, reduce transmission and distribution price volatility and increase electric bill transparency.

LD 1949 offers a thoughtful next step to making our energy system fairer for residents statewide, giving urgently needed weight to electricity affordability concerns. Affordable, reliable electricity is a prerequisite for success in our state’s energy future.

LD 1949 now awaits votes in the full Senate and House.

Sen. Carney is serving her third term in the Maine Senate, representing South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough. She serves as Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee and the Joint Rules Committee and as a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.

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