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An Act Regarding New Utility Line Extension Construction
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §315  is enacted to read:
§ 315. Transmission and distribution utility line extension construction
 
1.  Definition.   As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "line" has the same meaning as in section 314, subsection 1, paragraph A.
 
2.  Standards for estimating the cost of new line extension construction.   The commission shall establish standards by rule for estimating the cost of construction of a new line extension by a transmission and distribution utility. The rules must require that a transmission and distribution utility provide a detailed quote that includes all costs to each residential, commercial or industrial customer seeking the construction of a new line extension. The detailed quote must contain estimated costs for each individual project based on actual conditions. A transmission and distribution utility may not use average, per-unit costs based on the length of the new line extension or number of poles.
 
3.  Rules.   Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Public Utilities Commission to establish standards by rule for estimating the cost of construction of a new line extension by a transmission and distribution utility. The rules must require that a transmission and distribution utility provide a detailed quote that includes all costs to each residential, commercial or industrial customer seeking the construction of a new line extension, rather than relying on per-unit average costs.