§ 35-A §307 — Changes in schedules; notice; suspension; rate increase limit

Maine § 35-A §307

• Jurisdiction: Maine
• Title 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES
• Part 1: PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
• Ch. 3: RATES OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

Text

1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.
Notice requirements.
A public utility may not change a schedule, including a schedule of joint rates, unless the public utility provides notice to the commission 30 days prior to the time the changes are to take effect. The public utility must indicate all proposed changes on the schedule in effect at the time notice is provided. For good cause shown, the commission may allow changes after less than the notice specified in this subsection or modify the requirements of this section and section 308 with respect to publishing, posting and filing of a schedule, either in a particular instance or by rule applicable to a special circumstance or condition.
3.
Suspension pending investigation.
Pending an investigation and order pursuant to section 310, subsection 1, at any time within the period preceding the effective date of the schedule, the commission may suspend the operation of the schedule or any part of the schedule by filing with the schedule and delivering to the public utility affected a statement of its reasons for the suspension. The suspension may not be for a period longer than 12 months from the effective date of the order of suspension unless:
4.
General rate increase case limitation.
A public utility may not file a schedule for a general increase in rates pursuant to this section within one year of a prior filing for a general increase in rates pursuant to this section, unless the proceeding initiated by a prior filing was terminated without a final determination of the public utility's revenue requirement or with approval of the commission. The limitation of this subsection does not prevent a public utility, at any time, from notifying the commission in advance, either voluntarily or in accordance with a commission requirement under this section, of plans by the public utility to file a general increase in rates.
5.
General rate increase notice requirement.
A public utility seeking a general increase in rates shall send a notice of the increase to its customers by either first-class mail or the method by which the customer receives bills from the utility. The commission shall prepare the notice in consultation with the utility. If, after the notice of the general increase in rates is sent, the utility seeks a rate increase greater than what was stated in the notice, the utility shall promptly notify the commission. If the utility demonstrates good cause, the commission may allow the utility to seek an increase greater than what was stated in the notice subject to reasonable conditions established by the commission, including, but not limited to, requiring the utility to send a new notice to its customers describing the revised proposed increase.
6.
General increase in rates; rate-adjustment mechanisms; quantitative metrics.
The commission may establish or authorize rate-adjustment mechanisms or quantitative metrics pertaining to a public utility's operations and activities in a proceeding for a general increase in rates.

Legislative History

PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 254, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §A13 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF). PL 2023, c. 145, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 168, §1 (RPR). PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. D, §1 (RPR). PL 2025, c. 198, §1 (AMD).