Sanborn bill to encourage energy conservation receives hearing

AUGUSTA — Legislation from Sen. Heather Sanborn, D-Portland, LD 1048 “An Act To Encourage Conservation in Determining Natural Gas Rates,” received a public hearing before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee today. The bill would instruct the Public Utility Commission to consider energy conservation and financial incentives for customers to reduce natural gas consumption when it looks at proposals for fixed customer charges.

“As we are encouraging energy efficiency through Efficiency Maine, natural gas rates should be designed in such a way as to complement these efficiency efforts – not counteract them,” said Sen. Sanborn.

LD 1048 corrects the issue of high fixed rates discouraging energy conservation programs. The bill does not ban fixed charges; it simply provides a way for the Public Utility Commission to examine reasonable rate design.

Dylan Voorhees of the Natural Resources Council of Maine spoke in support of the bill. “Rate design has to balance many considerations,” said Voorhees. “Public policy, like energy conservation, should be considered.”

No one spoke in opposition of the bill at the public hearing. All who testified agreed with the intent of the bill to encourage energy conservation.

The bill faces more action in the committee and votes before the full Maine House and Senate.