An Act To Examine Electric Utility Regulation and Fees To Reduce Rates
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0870
Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Sponsors: THOMAS, DUNPHY, COTTA, HARVELL
Amends: 5 MRSA §12004-I, 35-A MRSA §1713

Legislative Document 
No. 870 
S.P. 274 
In Senate, March 8, 2011 
An Act To Examine Electric Utility Regulation and Fees To Reduce 
Rates 
Reference to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology suggested and ordered 
printed. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator THOMAS of Somerset. 
Cosponsored by Representative DUNPHY of Embden and 
Representatives: COTTA of China, HARVELL of Farmington, McKANE of Newcastle. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§93 is enacted to read: 
93.   
Sec. 2.  35-A MRSA §1713 is enacted to read: 
§1713.  Electric Rate Evaluation Council 
1.  Establishment.  The Electric Rate Evaluation Council, as established by Title 5, 
section 12004-I, subsection 93 and referred to in this section as "the council," is created to 
provide periodic review of the factors that influence electric rates, including electricity 
purchase costs, transmission and distribution costs, regulatory costs, taxes and fees. 
2.  Members.  The council is composed of: 
A.  The Public Advocate; and 
B.  Six members appointed by the Governor to serve 3-year terms that expire 
December 31st: 
(1)  One member who is a representative of a large, investor-owned transmission 
and distribution utility as defined in section 3201, subsection 12; 
(2)  One member who is a representative of a competitive electricity provider as 
defined in section 3201, subsection 5; 
(3)  One member who is a representative of an eligible small generator as defined 
in section 3201, subsection 8-A; 
(4)  One member who is a representative of a large industrial consumer of 
electricity; 
(5)  One member who is a representative of a small business; and 
(6)  One person who is a representative of residential electricity customers. 
Members under paragraph B may be reappointed for subsequent terms. A vacancy must 
be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as an original 
appointment. 
3.  Chair.  The Public Advocate is chair of the council. 
4.  Duties.  The council shall gather and compile information regarding the factors 
that influence electric rates, including electricity purchase costs, transmission and 
distribution costs, regulatory costs, taxes and fees.  The council shall recommend a 
process that provides for an evaluation of those costs, taxes and fees every 5 years and 
shall make recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over energy, utilities and technology matters for repeal of any taxes, fees or 
Public Advocate 
Electric Rate 
Evaluation Council 
Not Authorized 
35-A MRSA §1713 
regulatory provisions that are not justified. The council may take any other appropriate 
actions consistent with the purposes of this section. 
5.  Staffing and expenses.  The Public Advocate within budgeted resources shall 
provide reasonable staff support as requested by the council. Members of the council are 
not entitled to compensation as provided in Title 5, section 12004-I. 
SUMMARY 
This bill establishes the Electric Rate Evaluation Council to conduct a review of 
electric industry costs that go into the determination of electric rates and make 
recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over energy, utilities and technology matters for repeal of any taxes, fees or regulatory 
provisions that are not justified.