2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part 3: ELECTRIC POWER › Chapter 31: GENERAL PROVISIONS › Subchapter 3: ELECTRIC RATE REFORM ACT › 35-A §3154. The Public Utilities Commission to require the necessary improvements

§3154. The Public Utilities Commission to require the necessary improvements
1.  Rate design and conservation improvements.
The commission shall mandate, after notice and hearing on the proposed schedule, a scheduled phasing-in of the improvements in transmission and distribution utility rate design and related regulatory programs submitted and approved under section 3153‑A and is authorized to order utilities to implement transmission and distribution utility rate design improvements approved by the commission on a temporary, pilot and experimental basis, affecting either a portion or all of any class of consumers of any utility as the commission may determine is appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, and order other energy conservation techniques, programs and innovations relating to transmission and distribution utility service that, in the commission's judgment, are practicable, just and reasonably related to fulfilling the purposes of this chapter. In ordering any rate design improvements or any other programs for implementing energy conservation techniques and innovations referred to in section 3153‑A, the commission shall consider rate design stability and shall ensure the revenue requirements of the utility.
[PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §59 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF).]
2.  Initial cost recovery.
In assuring the revenue requirements of the utility with respect to programs for implementing energy conservation techniques or innovations, the commission shall, upon petition, permit the utility to adjust rates to recover the reasonable incremental costs associated with implementing those programs to the extent that the costs are not already reflected in the utility's rates and provided that that adjustment does not result in rates that are unjust or unreasonable. The adjustment shall include reasonable costs of all programs ordered under this subchapter incurred as of the time of the adjustment and reasonable estimated costs of operating the conservation programs.
[PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
3.  Rules.
The commission shall adopt rules implementing the requirements of subsection 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, such rules may include:
A. Procedures to periodically reconcile or adjust any rate adjustment ordered under subsection 2 or similar costs reflected in the utility's existing rates;   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
B. Procedures which provide incentives and disincentives for the effective implementation of this subchapter; and   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
C. Procedures to provide for the financial cost or benefit of under-collection or over-collection.   [PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
[PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6 (NEW).]
4.  Federal standards.
[PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §60 (RP); PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF).]
5.  Load management devices.
The commission shall mandate, in any transmission and distribution utility rate schedule approved or taking effect after January 1, 1983, a rate for any user who installs a load management device, approved by the commission, that reflects the savings to the utility resulting from the use of the device.
[PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §61 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF).]
6.  Conservation investments in rate base.
Upon petition by the public utility in any general rate change request pursuant to section 307, filed on or after January 1, 1988, the commission may in its discretion include in the utility's rate base and permit a fair return on the utility's rate base, any electric plant to the extent financed by the utility which constitutes a cost effective investment in conservation or load management and which was installed on the premises of a customer.
[PL 1987, c. 613, §3 (NEW).]
7.  Interruptible rates.
In any general rate design case pending on or initiated after April 1, 1992, the commission, upon request, shall determine interruptible rates consistent with and by reference to its determination of utility transmission and distribution capacity costs. Interruptible rates must be designed so as to encourage the long-term availability of interruptible resources, including interruptible options for all customer classes.
[PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §62 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF).]
8.  Incentive rates.
[PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §63 (RP); PL 1999, c. 398, Pt. A, §§104, 105 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 1987, c. 613, §3 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 769, §1 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 769, §3 (AFF). PL 1993, c. 91, §8 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 262, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §§A59-63 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF).