§ 35-A §3503 — Rates for consumer-owned transmission and distribution utilities

1.
Scope of section.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any charter to the contrary and in addition to any charter or private and special laws creating or affecting any consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility, the rate, toll or charge made, exacted, demanded or collected by the consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility is governed by this section.
2.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
3.
Just and reasonable rates.
The governing body shall establish and file rates, tolls and charges that are just and reasonable and that provide revenue as may be required for the consumer-owned transmission and distribution utility to perform its public utility service and to attract necessary capital on just and reasonable terms.
4.
Nondiscriminatory rates.
The governing body shall establish and file rates that are nondiscriminatory and that are applied on a nondiscriminatory basis.
5.
Purposes.
The governing body may establish and file rates under this section to provide revenue for the following purposes, but no other:
6.
Penalty.
If, as a result of investigation pursuant to section 310, 1302 or 1303, the commission finds that the utility has set rates pursuant to section 3502 that significantly exceed the limits of this section, the commission may order the utility to use any existing surplus to offset future revenue requirements and may suspend the utility's rights pursuant to section 3502 for a specified time period.
7.
Abandoned capital credits.
Abandoned capital credits must be used to provide assistance to low‑income households in accordance with section 3214.

Legislative History

PL 1987, c. 141, §A6 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 512, §3 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 102, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §A87 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF). PL 2023, c. 483, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 214, §1 (AMD).