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 Senate Bill LD2163 in Maine has been introduced that would require bill comparisons between supplier and utility rates (which are not apples-to-apples comparisons) – requiring affirmative consent from the customer for contract renewal, would give OPA access to supplier confidential information, and limit products that could be offered to low-income customers. 

An Act to Require Electricity Providers to Inform Customers of Alternative Electric Rates and Gather Consent Prior to Contract Renewal

The bill also requires retail electric suppliers to provide customers with information at the time of contract renewal regarding how the customers can compare the standard offer service rate and the rates of other electric suppliers. It requires entities providing billing services to suppliers and utilities to provide customers with information on customers’ bills regarding how the customers can compare the standard-offer service rate and the rates of suppliers. It requires suppliers to get affirmative consent for all contract renewals and requires electric utilities to process electronic enrollments of customers within 3 business days. The bill allows the Office of the Public Advocate to request and review confidential information from a retail electric supplier or a standard-offer service provider pertinent to a proceeding. It requires utilities to provide a list of residential customers who receive financial assistance from a low-income assistance program to suppliers and prohibits suppliers from entering into a renewal contract with a residential customer receiving assistance that would result in a rate being charged that is higher than the standard-offer service rate.

Bill Text
Senate Bill LD2163
Also see: SP 918