§4961. Electric assistance program
1.
Definitions.
As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A.
"Authority" means the Maine State Housing Authority established pursuant to section 4722.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
B.
"Electric assistance" means assistance as established by the commission pursuant to Title 35‑A, section 3214 and rules adopted pursuant to that section, based on an eligible household's income level and electricity usage and paid to an electric utility on behalf of an eligible household.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
C.
"Electric utility" means a transmission and distribution utility as defined in Title 35‑A, section 102, subsection 20‑B.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
D.
"Eligible household" means a household that is eligible to receive fuel assistance through the Maine State Housing Authority pursuant to section 4722, subsection 1, paragraph W; section 4741, subsection 15; and subchapter XIII and rules adopted pursuant to these laws. "Eligible household" does not include a tenant who resides in subsidized housing and receives a utility allowance or a tenant whose utilities are included in the rent.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
E.
"Commission" means the Public Utilities Commission established pursuant to Title 35‑A, section 103.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
F.
"Fund" means the Electric Assistance Program Fund established in section 4962.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
G.
"Program" means the electric assistance program established by the commission pursuant to Title 35‑A, section 3214.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
2.
Program administration.
The authority shall administer the program directly or through regional contract agents. The program may be administered in conjunction with other programs of the authority.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
3.
Reporting requirements.
The authority shall report annually to the commission information to determine the amount of funding necessary for the program, including the amount of electric assistance paid on behalf of each eligible household, the total amount of electric assistance paid on behalf of eligible households, the number of eligible households served and other reasonably necessary information required by the commission in connection with the program.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
4.
Rulemaking.
The authority may adopt rules to implement this subchapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this subchapter are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A.
[PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2001, c. 257, §1 (NEW).