Vitelli proposal to help Mainers afford energy bills signed into law

AUGUSTA — On Monday, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic. An amended version of LD 1913, “An Act to Create the Electric Ratepayer Advisory Council,” is one of several bills put forward by Legislative Democrats to help more Mainers afford their energy bills.

“People all across Maine have made it clear that they need relief, they need support and they need accountability when it comes to their energy bills. This bill is an important part of the Legislature’s work to deliver on that. I know that it will create real change for Maine people,” said Sen. Vitelli. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and House for their strong support, and to the Governor for signing this measure into law.”

LD 1913 directs the Public Advocate to create the Electric Ratepayer Advisory Council 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. The law directs the council to review relief programs that help seniors and other struggling Mainers pay for their energy bills and improve other strategies that make electricity more affordable.

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 also was supported by the Office of the Public Advocate, AARP and the Maine Chamber of Commerce.

LD 1913 is part of a package of bills sponsored by Legislative Democrats to help Mainers who are struggling to keep up with spiking energy bills. Other bills in the package are:

• LD 2010, “Resolve, To Help Certain Businesses with Electricity Costs,” sponsored by Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash
• LD 1966, “An Act To Facilitate Access to Heating Assistance,” sponsored by Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast
• LD 2006, “An Act to Improve the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program,” sponsored by Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta

As an emergency measure, LD 1913 went into effect immediately upon being signed into law.