Maine Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance

• State legislation in 1991 ordered low-income rates or other programs from investor-owned utilities; they include a rate discount, a PIPP variation, and a bill credit program. The largest program, through Central Maine Power, allows participants to pay a fixed percentage of their income for energy; the percentage varies based on their level of poverty and electric usage. Effective October 2001 the statewide Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP), set forth in Chapter 314, was adopted continuing the large utility programs and mandating that all electric utilities participate in the Plan. The LIAP fund amounted to about $5.8 million for FY 2005. In May of 2006, the MPUC voted to increase LIAP funding by 20 percent to about $7 million, effective October 1, 2006. See electric utility restructuring legislation.

LEVERAGING

2006: $11.1 million (includes debt forgiveness and $1.9 million for utility-funded weatherization)
2005: $8 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
2004: $7.3 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
2003: $6.2 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
2002: $5 million
2001: $5 million
2000: $6.0 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
1999: $5.9 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
1998: $5.9 million (includes utility weatherization)
1997: $4.6 million
1996: $4.7 million
1995: $5.7 million
1994: $5.4 million
1993: $3.4 million
1992: $1 million

REGULATION

1993, Docket No. 93-158

Page Last Updated: April 16, 2007