reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4508 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4508. Powers and authority of Public Utilities Commission

 §4508. Powers and authority of Public Utilities Commission 1.  Natural gas pipeline utilities subject to commission's authority.  A natural gas pipeline utility organized to construct or operate an interstate natural gas pipeline that holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued under the Federal Natural Gas Act authorizing it to construct or operate a natural gas pipeline and appurtenant facilities within the State, or an intrastate natural gas pipeline utility that has obtained authorization from the commission, is subject to the authority of the commission. The commission shall adopt policies that reduce the probability of methane leakage from facilities as part of its regulation under this chapter.   [PL 2013, c. 369, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).] 2.  Commission rules and limitation on commission authority.  The commission may make necessary rules with respect to the natural gas pipeline utility's pipeline, equipment and manner of operation as they relate to the safety of the public and of the utility's employees, provided that the commission's authority is not inconsistent with or in violation of the Federal Natural Gas Act, as amended, or any rules, orders, regulations or certificates of public convenience and necessity issued under that Act.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] 3.  Power to effectuate policies of this chapter.  To effectuate the policies and provisions of this chapter and when determined necessary to obtain uniformity in the formulation, administration and enforcement of any order or rule issued under this chapter, or promulgated by an agency of the United States, pertaining to the regulating or handling of natural gas, the commission may:   A. Confer, cooperate and enter into compacts with the agency;   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]B. Avail itself of records and facilities of the authority and make records and facilities available to the agency;   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]C. Conduct joint investigations and hold joint hearings;   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]D. Issue orders and rules jointly or concurrently with, or complementary to those issued by, the agency; and   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]E. Collaborate with the agency and others in the development and operation of measures for the increased safety of the transportation and distribution of natural gas within the State.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).][PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 369, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4509 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4509. Application of this Title

 §4509. Application of this Title A natural gas pipeline utility is subject to all provisions of this Title as far as applicable and to the orders and rules adopted and promulgated by the commission under the authority of this Title.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4510 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4510. Submission of plans to commission

 §4510. Submission of plans to commission Not less than 30 days before the solicitation of bids for construction or installation or, if bids are not solicited, not less than 30 days before actual construction or installation, the natural gas pipeline utility shall submit to the commission information concerning the engineering design of its pipeline and the standards of construction which it proposes to follow and any other information the commission determines necessary, so that it may determine whether the public safety and the safety of the utility's employees are being protected. If the commission finds that any part of the engineering design does not conform to the minimum standards of the American Standard Code of Pressure Piping, promulgated by the American Standards Association of New York, or that the condition of any part of the equipment or the manner of operating it are dangerous to the public safety or the employees' safety, it shall make an order to remedy the nonconformity or dangerous condition and furnish a copy of the order to the utility.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4511 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4511. Submission of map to commission

 §4511. Submission of map to commission A natural gas pipeline utility, as soon as it has definitely established a route, but in any event not less than 30 days before the commencement of actual construction or installation, shall submit to the commission and to the governing body of each municipality through which it is proposed that the route shall pass, for their information, a map approved as to form by the commission that clearly sets forth the proposed route.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4512 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4512. Compliance with orders

 §4512. Compliance with orders A natural gas pipeline utility subject to this chapter shall comply immediately with any proper order of the commission.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]1.  Failure to comply.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §31 (RP).] 2.  Damages.  In addition to the administrative penalty imposed pursuant to this Title, a natural gas pipeline utility that fails to comply with an order of the commission shall reimburse any person whose property is damaged as a result of the failure for the amount of the property damage and be liable in double damages for any injury resulting to a person from the failure.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §32 (AMD).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 505, §§31,32 (AMD).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4513 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4513. Interstate and foreign commerce not affected

 §4513. Interstate and foreign commerce not affected No provision of this chapter or of any order or rule under this chapter applies to or may be construed to apply to interstate or foreign commerce, except as far as the provision is effective pursuant to the Constitution of the United States under the laws of the United States.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4515 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4515. Cease and desist orders

 §4515. Cease and desist orders The commission may order a natural gas pipeline utility to cease and desist from operating or acting in violation of a statute or rule or order. Whenever practicable, the commission shall notify a natural gas pipeline utility against whom a cease and desist order is contemplated and afford it an opportunity to present its views and shall afford it reasonable opportunity to comply. Failure to notify and afford such an opportunity does not preclude the granting of appropriate relief.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §33 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 505, §33 (AMD).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4516 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4516. Civil violation (REPEALED)

 §4516. Civil violation (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 113, §1 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 505, §34 (RP).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4516-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 45: NATURAL GAS PIPELINE UTILITIES|35-A §4516-A. Administrative penalty

 §4516-A. Administrative penalty 1.  Violation of this Title.  The commission may impose an administrative penalty on a natural gas pipeline utility that violates any provision of this Title relating to safety of pipeline facilities or transportation of gas or any rule issued under this Title in an amount not to exceed $223,000 for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.   [PL 2021, c. 318, §15 (AMD).] 2.  Maximum administrative penalty.  The maximum administrative penalty may not exceed $2,227,000 for any related series of violations.   [PL 2021, c. 318, §16 (AMD).] 3.  Determining amount of penalty.  In determining the amount of the penalty, the commission shall consider the following:   A. The nature, circumstances and gravity of the violation;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]B. The degree of the natural gas pipeline utility's culpability;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]C. The natural gas pipeline utility's history of prior offenses;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]D. The natural gas pipeline utility's ability to pay;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]E. Any good faith by the natural gas pipeline utility in attempting to achieve compliance;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]F. The effect on the natural gas pipeline utility's ability to continue in business; and   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]G. Such other matters as justice may require.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).][PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).] 4.  Payment of penalty.  The amount of the administrative penalty may be:   A. Deducted from any sums owing by the State to the natural gas pipeline utility; or   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).]B. Recovered in a civil action in the state courts.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).][PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).] 5.  Limitation on imposing penalty.  Any action that may result in the imposition of an administrative penalty pursuant to this section must be commenced within 5 years after the cause of action accrues.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2003, c. 505, §35 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 495, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 318, §§15, 16 (AMD).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4701 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4701. Gas utilities authorized to deal in natural gas

 §4701. Gas utilities authorized to deal in natural gas Any gas utility is authorized to buy, sell, furnish, transport, store, distribute, dispose of or otherwise deal in natural gas and a mixture of natural gas and manufactured gas and their by-products, to the same extent and with the same rights, privileges and limitations conferred or imposed upon it with respect to manufactured gas, and within the same territorial limitations within which it is authorized to deal in manufactured gas.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4702 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4702. Safety jurisdiction only over certain gas utilities (REPEALED)

 §4702. Safety jurisdiction only over certain gas utilities (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 718, §15 (RPR). PL 2011, c. 197, §1 (RP).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4704 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4704. Cease and desist orders

 §4704. Cease and desist orders The commission may order a gas utility to cease and desist from operating or acting in violation of a statute or rule or order of the commission. Whenever practicable, the commission shall notify a gas utility against whom a cease and desist order is contemplated and afford it an opportunity to present its views and shall afford it reasonable opportunity to comply. Failure to notify and afford such an opportunity does not preclude the granting of appropriate relief.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §36 (AMD).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 505, §36 (AMD).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4705 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4705. Civil forfeiture (REPEALED)

 §4705. Civil forfeiture (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 113, §2 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 505, §37 (RP).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4705-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4705-A. Administrative penalty

 §4705-A. Administrative penalty 1.  Violation of this Title.  The commission may impose an administrative penalty on a gas utility that violates any provision of this Title relating to safety of gas facilities or any rule issued under this Title in an amount not to exceed $223,000 for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.   [PL 2021, c. 318, §18 (AMD).] 2.  Maximum administrative penalty.  The maximum administrative penalty may not exceed $2,227,000 for any related series of violations.   [PL 2021, c. 318, §19 (AMD).] 3.  Determining amount of penalty.  In determining the amount of the penalty, the commission shall consider the following:   A. The nature, circumstances and gravity of the violation;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]B. The degree of the gas utility's culpability;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]C. The gas utility's history of prior offenses;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]D. The gas utility's ability to pay;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]E. Any good faith by the gas utility in attempting to achieve compliance;   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]F. The effect on the gas utility's ability to continue in business; and   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]G. Such other matters as justice may require.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).][PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).] 4.  Payment of penalty.  The amount of the penalty may be:   A. Deducted from any sums owing by the State to the gas utility; or   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).]B. Recovered in a civil action in the state courts.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).][PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).] 5.  Limitation on imposing penalty.  Any action that may result in the imposition of an administrative penalty pursuant to this section must be commenced within 5 years after the cause of action accrues.   [PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2003, c. 505, §38 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 495, §2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 318, §§18, 19 (AMD).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4706-A (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4706-A. Special rate arrangements for eligible low-income customers (REPEALED)

 §4706-A. Special rate arrangements for eligible low-income customers (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 1999, c. 664, §1 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 35, §1 (RP).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4706-B (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4706-B. Assistance programs for low-income customers

 §4706-B. Assistance programs for low-income customers 1.  Programs.  Each gas utility in the State that serves 5,000 or more residential customers shall offer low-income assistance programs for residential customers who satisfy criteria for low-income assistance as established by the commission in rule. To the maximum extent possible, a gas utility, in adopting and implementing a low-income assistance program under this section, shall seek to encourage conservation in the use of gas by program participants.   [PL 2009, c. 35, §2 (NEW).] 2.  Cost recovery.  The commission shall include in rates for a gas utility all costs incurred in compliance with this section and commission rules adopted under this section, as long as such costs have been prudently incurred.   [PL 2009, c. 35, §2 (NEW).] 3.  Rules.  The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. Rules adopted under this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.   [PL 2009, c. 35, §2 (NEW).] 4.  Report.  The commission shall report on low-income assistance programs offered by gas utilities pursuant to this section within the annual report required under section 120.   [PL 2009, c. 35, §2 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2009, c. 35, §2 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4706-C (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4706-C. Promotional allowances

 §4706-C. Promotional allowances 1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   A. "Promotional allowance" means any rebate, discount, credit or other promotion offered or provided by a gas utility to customers or potential customers for the purpose of encouraging customers or potential customers to select or use the service or increase usage of the service of that utility; to select, purchase, install or use any appliance or equipment designed to use that utility's service; or to use any other particular service of that utility.   [PL 2017, c. 83, §1 (NEW).][PL 2017, c. 83, §1 (NEW).] 2.  Promotional allowance allowed.  Notwithstanding sections 302-A and 703, a gas utility, without prior notice or approval from the commission, may offer or provide a promotional allowance.   [PL 2017, c. 83, §1 (NEW).] 3.  Filing of schedules of rates.  Notwithstanding section 307, schedules of rates that provide for promotional allowances take effect when filed with the commission, unless a later effective date is specified in the filing. A copy of the filing must also be provided simultaneously to the Efficiency Maine Trust, established in chapter 97.   [PL 2017, c. 83, §1 (NEW).] 4.  Rate-making treatment.  This section does not limit the commission's authority in any rate case or alternative rate-making proceeding to disallow, in whole or in part, any expense of a gas utility that the commission finds to be unjust, unreasonable, excessive or unwarranted. A gas utility may not recover from any person other than its shareholders or other owners any expenditures, contributions, expenses or costs incurred by that utility with respect to promotional allowances.   [PL 2017, c. 83, §1 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2017, c. 83, §1 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4707 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4707. Stranded costs; notice of risk

 §4707. Stranded costs; notice of risk Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, costs arising from obligations incurred by a gas utility after March 1, 1998, other than costs or obligations that are beyond the control of the gas utility, determined by the commission in an adjudicatory proceeding to be unrecoverable as a result of competition or deregulation are incurred at the risk of the shareholders of the gas utility and may not be borne by ratepayers of the gas utility. This section may not be interpreted as requiring that costs incurred prior to March 1, 1998 be recovered from ratepayers.   [PL 1997, c. 707, §10 (NEW).]SECTION HISTORY PL 1997, c. 707, §10 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4708 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4708. Gas marketer registration

 §4708. Gas marketer registration 1.  Registration required.  Unless registered with the commission under this section, a gas marketer may not contract or attempt to contract with any retail natural gas consumer in this State to provide natural gas supply service.   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).] 2.  Required information.  A gas marketer registering under this section shall provide:   A. The name, mailing address and phone number of the gas marketer; and   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).]B. The name, mailing address and phone number of a contact person who is knowledgeable regarding the gas marketer's activities in the State.   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).]A gas marketer registered under this section shall promptly provide the commission with any additional relevant information requested by the commission, including, but not limited to, copies of any residential contracts for retail natural gas supply service. The commission shall provide through the issuance of protective orders pursuant to section 1311 for appropriate confidentiality protection as necessary for any information provided under this section.   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).] 3.  Contracts void.  Any contract for retail natural gas supply service entered into after the effective date of this section by a gas marketer that is not registered with the commission under this section is deemed void.   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4709 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4709. Natural gas unbundling

 §4709. Natural gas unbundling 1.  Commission rulemaking.  In order to foster the unbundling of natural gas services and the development of a competitive natural gas supply market in the State, the commission shall consider the need for and may adopt rules in the following areas:   A. The need to license gas marketers;   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).]B. The need for a code of conduct governing the relationship between a gas utility and an affiliated gas marketer to prevent the affiliated gas marketer's exercise of market power and to ensure fair competition among all gas marketers;   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).]C. The need for regulations to protect consumers from abusive practices by gas marketers; and   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).]D. Any other subject of natural gas unbundling that requires additional regulation.   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).][PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).] 2.  Major substantive rules.  Rules adopted under this section are major substantive rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.   [PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 1999, c. 143, §3 (NEW).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4711 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4711. Conservation programs (REPEALED)

 §4711. Conservation programs (REPEALED)SECTION HISTORY PL 2005, c. 110, §1 (NEW). PL 2009, c. 122, §17 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 372, Pt. A, §8 (RP). PL 2009, c. 372, Pt. A, §10 (AFF).
35-A ME Rev Stat § 4712 (2021)
2021 Maine Revised Statutes|TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES|Part 4: GAS|Chapter 47: GAS UTILITIES|35-A §4712. Gas emergency response

 §4712. Gas emergency response 1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, "gas explosion event" means an explosion or fire that causes property damage or personal injury and that involves natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas controlled, transported or delivered by a gas utility or a natural gas pipeline utility subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.   [PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).] 2.  Response.  Following a gas explosion event, the commission shall immediately contact the State Fire Marshal:   A. To confirm that the State Fire Marshal is investigating the event and securing evidence in accordance with Title 25, section 2394, subsection 1 and to coordinate the commission's activities with the State Fire Marshal's investigation; or   [PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).]B. To confirm that the event does not warrant investigation by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to the protocol established in accordance with Title 25, section 2394, subsection 1.   [PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).][PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).] 3.  Proceedings.  In any commission proceeding concerning a gas explosion event, the commission shall afford a person injured by the event or who suffered property damage in the event an opportunity to address the commission regarding the event.   [PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).] 4.  Compensation.  In determining pursuant to section 117 whether to apply any administrative penalties relating to the gas explosion event to benefit customers affected or potentially affected by the violation, and in determining the amount to apply, the commission shall consider documented property damages suffered by a person as a result of the event and may apply an amount to equitably compensate that person for losses not otherwise fully compensated.   [PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).] SECTION HISTORY PL 2011, c. 27, §3 (NEW).