Sen. Vitelli introduces bill to help Mainers afford energy bills

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, introduced a bill that would help more Mainers afford their energy bills. LD 1913, “An Act To Review Strategies for Improving Utility Rate Affordability and To Provide Utility Relief,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. 

“We’ve seen it in the news, heard it from our constituents, and experienced it ourselves: Increasing electricity rates are causing immense hardship for many Mainers and Maine’s small businesses. And, as usual, working Mainers and their families struggling to make ends meet and Mainers living on fixed incomes, like our seniors, are the most vulnerable,” said Sen. Vitelli. “While there are programs like LIAP designed to provide relief, this winter is showing us that much more needs to be done. This bill aims to provide immediate and tangible assistance to Mainers who are struggling now, while giving us the tools to plan for energy affordability in the future.”

LD 1913 would direct the Public Utilities Commission to create a relief program to help seniors and other struggling Mainers pay for their energy bills, including bills from this winter, and any late fees that might have accrued. The bill would also direct the Public Advocate to create a commission of stakeholders to review utility rates and come up with a plan to ensure that Maine people will be able to afford their energy bills as the state modernizes its electric grid and moves toward energy independence.

Melissa Winne, with the Governor’s Energy Office, offered testimony in support of LD 1913: “This bill is of particular interest to the GEO and of importance to Maine people and businesses as global fossil fuel markets, particularly for natural gas, are driving up electricity prices.”

The bill is also supported by the Office of the Public Advocate.

LD 1913 now faces further action in committee.