PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Encourage Conservation in Determining Natural Gas Rates
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §301, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1993, c. 506, §1, is further amended to read:
 
4. Determining rates.   In determining just and reasonable rates, the commission:
 
A. Shall provide such revenues to the utility as may be required to perform its public service and to attract necessary capital on just and reasonable terms; and
 
B. Shall, to a level within the commission's discretion, consider whether the utility is operating as efficiently as possible and is utilizing sound management practices, including the treatment in rates of executive compensation.; and
 
C.  Shall, when determining natural gas rates and rate structures for a gas utility, consider the effect of rates and rate structures on energy conservation, including, but not limited to, financial incentives for customers to reduce natural gas consumption.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission, in determining rates and rate structures for natural gas utilities, to consider energy conservation and financial incentives for customers to reduce natural gas consumption.