2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part 1: PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 7: REGULATION AND CONTROL OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › 35-A §719. Termination of utility services for public safety facilities for nonpayment of rates, fees or charges for utility service

§719. Termination of utility services for public safety facilities for nonpayment of rates, fees or charges for utility service
1.  Termination.
A public utility may not terminate or disconnect a public safety facility's utility service for nonpayment of rates, fees or charges for utility service unless the public utility has:
A. Provided written notice to the municipal or plantation government using the public safety facility of the public utility's intention to terminate or disconnect the public safety facility's utility service at least 60 days before the termination or disconnection date;   [PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
B. Obtained from the commission written authorization to terminate or disconnect the public safety facility's utility service; and   [PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
C. Obtained from the Department of Public Safety written authorization to terminate or disconnect the public safety facility's utility service.   [PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
2.  Penalties.
Notwithstanding section 1508‑A, subsection 1, the commission shall impose an administrative penalty on a public utility that violates this section in accordance with this subsection.
A. For violations of this section by a public utility, the commission shall impose an administrative penalty for each violation in an amount between 0.1% and 0.25% of the annual gross revenue that the public utility received from sales in the State. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense. The maximum administrative penalty for any related series of violations under this paragraph may not exceed 5% of the annual gross revenue that the public utility received from sales in the State.   [PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
B. For a violation in which a public utility was explicitly notified by the commission that it was not in compliance with the requirements of this section and that failure to comply could result in the imposition of administrative penalties, the commission shall impose an additional administrative penalty of an amount between 0.1% and 0.25% of the annual gross revenue for each violation.   [PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
C. In determining the amount of an administrative penalty under this subsection, the commission shall take into account the considerations in section 1508‑A, subsection 2.   [PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
3.  Rules.
The commission shall adopt or amend rules to implement this section. The commission shall ensure that any process or system changes made by a public utility to comply with this section are cost effective, result in operation and maintenance costs that are prudent and reasonable and do not involve capital investment. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. In adopting rules pursuant to this subsection, the commission shall consult with the Department of Public Safety and a statewide organization representing municipal interests in the State.
[PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2021, c. 586, §2 (NEW).