Senate passes Sen. Carney bill to improve electricity affordability
AUGUSTA – Yesterday, the Maine Senate passed LD 1949, “An Act Regarding Energy Fairness.” Sponsored by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, the bill directs 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.
“Electric bills have become a significant financial hardship for too many working families in Maine. There are common sense, actionable steps we can take now to mitigate this high energy cost burden,” said Sen. Carney. “The State should stand up for residents by ensuring thoughtful consideration of affordability impacts across its work regulating electric utilities. LD 1949 strengthens the framework in which decisions are made about our electric system, ensuring that the voices and budgets of Maine households are squarely in the equation.”
LD 1949 directs the PUC to consider affordability impacts to Maine residents across all its 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 Maine’s energy system fairer for residents statewide, giving urgently needed weight to electricity affordability concerns. Affordable, reliable electricity is a prerequisite for success in the state’s energy future.
LD 1949 now heads to the Governor’s desk for her signature. She has 10 days following Senate passage to sign the bill, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature.
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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