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An Act To Assist Electric Utility Ratepayers
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §3214, sub-§2-A  is enacted to read:
 
2-A.  Arrearage management program.     Each transmission and distribution utility shall implement pursuant to this subsection an arrearage management program to assist eligible low-income residential customers who are in arrears on their electricity bills. An arrearage management program implemented pursuant to this subsection is a plan under which a transmission and distribution utility works with an eligible low-income residential customer to establish an affordable payment plan and provide credit to that customer toward the customer's accumulated arrears as long as that customer remains in compliance with the terms of the program. The commission shall establish requirements relating to the arrearage management programs by rule. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
In adopting rules regarding arrearage management programs, the commission shall:
 
A.  Consider best practices as developed and implemented in other states or regions;
 
B.  Require that an arrearage management program include an electricity usage assessment at no cost to the participant;
 
C.  Permit each transmission and distribution utility to propose a start date for its program that is no later than October 1, 2015;
 
D.  Ensure that each transmission and distribution utility develops terms and conditions for its arrearage management program in a manner that is consistent with the program's objectives and is in the best interests of all ratepayers; and
 
E.  Ensure that a transmission and distribution utility recovers in rates all costs of arrearage management programs, including incremental costs, reconnection fees and administrative and marketing costs but not including the amount of any arrearage forgiven that is treated as bad debt for purposes of cost recovery by the transmission and distribution utility.
 
The Efficiency Maine Trust shall work with transmission and distribution utilities and other stakeholders to provide access to a complementary low-income energy efficiency program for participants in arrearage management programs in order to help reduce participants' energy consumption.
 
No later than January 28, 2018, the commission shall prepare a report assessing the effectiveness of arrearage management programs, including the number of participants enrolled in the programs, the number of participants completing the programs, the number of participants who have failed to complete the programs, the payment patterns of participating customers after completing the programs, the dollar amount of arrears forgiven, a comparison of outcomes for those participating in the programs and those not participating, the impact on a transmission and distribution utility's bad debt as a result of the programs, the costs and benefits to all ratepayers associated with the programs and recommendations for ways in which the programs might be improved or continued for the benefit of all ratepayers. In preparing its report, the commission shall hold at least one formal stakeholder meeting involving affected parties, including the Office of the Public Advocate and the participating transmission and distribution utilities. Parties must also be provided an opportunity to submit written comments to the commission regarding the performance of the programs.
 
The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities matters may report out a bill relating to the commission report to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.
 
This subsection is repealed September 30, 2018.
Sec. 2.  35-A MRSA §10110, sub-§2, ¶L  is enacted to read:
 
L.  Pursuant to section 3214, subsection 2-A, the trust shall work with transmission and distribution utilities and other stakeholders to provide access to a complementary low-income energy efficiency program for participants in the arrearage management programs in order to help reduce participants' energy consumption.
 
This paragraph is repealed September 30, 2018.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 126th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.