New Sen. Lawrence law to strengthen access to safe and clean water takes effect
AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, September 24, a new law sponsored by Sen. Mark W. Lawrence, D-Eliot, took effect after being unanimously passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor earlier this year. LD 241, “An Act to Authorize the Public Utilities Commission to Approve Rate Adjustments for Low-income Water Utility Ratepayers,” empowers local water utilities to work with the state to create a low-income assistance program for customers, strengthening access to safe and clean water.
Under LD 241 as amended, a water utility may petition the Public Utilities Commission for approval of a low-income assistance program to allow a qualifying low-income residential ratepayer to receive a discount or credit applying to the amount the residential ratepayer would otherwise owe to the water utility. It also allows the Public Utilities Commission to approve a rate change if it determines that the proposal is a cost-effective way to keep water affordable for low-income residential ratepayers.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to find solutions that help lower everyday costs. Water is the only essential service for which there is no permanent federal assistance program and no state assistance program in Maine,” said Sen. Lawrence. “Local and state entities can now work together in the best interests of water utility ratepayers from Eliot to Eagle Lake. I can’t think of a more important issue than ensuring my constituents having access to clean water, so I am pleased this new law has taken effect.”
“Ensuring affordable water access is crucial for public health and well-being, especially for vulnerable populations who might otherwise be forced to limit water usage due to cost concerns,” said Elizabeth Olivolo of Kittery, in testimony to the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. “The bill empowers the Public Utilities Commission to design a program that specifically targets low-income households, ensuring the aid reaches those who need it most.”
According to the Statewide Water Affordability report released in January 2025, “[water] affordability is rapidly becoming a significant issue in the water sector. Aging infrastructure and significant regulatory requirements, combined with decreased federal funding, have placed increasingly heavier cost burdens on utilities. In recent decades, utilities have raised rates on their customers well beyond the pace of inflation. The resulting cost burden on low-income customers has made many of their bills unaffordable, leading to missed payments and shutoffs.”
Sen. Lawrence represents Senate District 35, which includes Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick and York.
