65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 815, § 1

Current through 2024-25, June 19, 2024

Section 407-815-1 - STATEMENT OF PURPOSES; APPLICABILITY; AND POLICY

A.Purposes

The purposes of this Rule are:

1. To assure safe and adequate provision of utility service;

2. To assure that service is not disconnected or refused unreasonably; and

3. To assure the utility's right to collect proper payment for utility service.

Every privilege that is granted and every duty that is required by this Rule imposes an obligation on utilities, applicants and customers to accept these privileges and perform these duties with good faith, honesty and fairness.

This Rule defines the minimum standards for nondiscriminatory practices that all transmission and distribution electric and gas utilities must follow. It does not, however, limit the power of utilities to give greater protection to their customers above these minimum standards.

B.Applicability of Rule

1. This Rule applies to all transmission and distribution electric and gas utilities that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. A particular class or individual utility may be specifically exempt from one or more provisions of this Rule by a rule or order of the Commission.

2. Any provisions of this rule that conflict with or are pre-empted by the Bankruptcy Code or any order issued by or agreement authorized by a bankruptcy court or the Bankruptcy Code shall be inapplicable.

3. This Rule takes effect on April 16, 2008, with the exception of subsection 10(L)(5), I nformational Packet to Disconnected Customers Prior to the Winter Period, which will take effect as soon as this rule is deemed effective by the Secretary of State. A utility must submit rate schedules that correct any conflict with the provisions of this Rule before April 16, 2008. Any conflicting provision in any rate schedule or term and condition after that date are superseded by the rule,

4. This Rule applies to the collection of amounts owed by a customer who is provided with electric or gas transmission and distribution utility service in Maine.

5. Any section of this rule not specifically designated as applying to residential or non-residential customers applies to all customers.

C.Policy

It is the Commission's policy that:

1. Utility bills should be paid by the date due. However, it is also the Commission's policy that customers of electric and gas utilities should not be disconnected because of their inability to pay without being afforded the opportunity to enter into a reasonable payment arrangement to ensure that their utility service is uninterrupted. It is also the Commission's policy that during the winter months, when severe weather conditions can pose a threat to health and safety, residential customers of electric and gas transmission and distribution utilities should not be disconnected because of their inability to pay the entire amount owed by the due date.

2. Electric and gas transmission and distribution utilities should establish payment arrangements for customers that take into consideration the individual customer's unique circumstances and that are most likely to result in the customer becoming current with their bills and retaining their utility service.

3. Residential customers who enter into a Regular or Special Payment Arrangement should be required to the extent possible to pay a reasonable portion of each utility bill when due during the winter period and to avoid an accumulation of arrearages that will be difficult to pay on a reasonable schedule during the non-winter months.

These policies shall be taken into consideration by the utility and the Consumer Assistance and Safety Division (CASD) when acting under this Rule.

65- 407 C.M.R. ch. 815, § 1