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Parties File Comments In Response To Staff’s Recommendation To Approve Electricity Maine Joint Settlement Stipulation
Staff filed a recommendation that the Commission approve the joint stipulation agreed to by Staff and Electricity Maine or EME. The recommendation finds that the stipulation “represents a sufficiently broad spectrum of interests and there is no appearance or reality of disenfranchisement” and is in the public interest. EME recommends minor edits to the Staff recommendation while OPA requests that the Commission reject the Stipulation.
As reported previously the Maine Staff and EME filed a proposed stipulation on February 14, 2024.
As background, according to the MEPUC, both customers and the electric utilities themselves have contacted the Consumer Assistance and Safety Division (CASD) “…with inquiries and complaints about sudden and significant bill increases with respect to their supply of electricity. Over the last several months, CASD has received over 170 calls expressing concerns about customers’ terms of service with Electricity Maine. Many of the concerns relate to the expiration of fixed rate terms of service and the conversion of the fixed rate into a higher, monthly, variable rate. CASD’s understanding is that Electricity Maine converted fixed rate terms of service to higher variable rate terms of service when customers failed to respond to renewal notices. Many customers have reported to CASD, however, that they do not recall receiving any renewal notice or they deny having received any renewal notice.”
OPA Exceptions to Advisory Staff Recommendations (05/21/2024)
The OPA requests that the Commission reject the Stipulation because it is not supported by a broad spectrum of interests and it is not in the public interest.
Advocacy Staff Recommendation To Commission (05/21/2024)
(Advocacy Staff respectfully request that the Commission approve the pending stipulation.)
EME’s Comments on Advisory Staff Recommendation (05/21/2024)
(EME files comments seeking small edits the Staff Recommendation)
Advisory Staff Recommendation (05/14/2024)
(The Commission’s Advisory Staff recommends that the Commission approve the Stipulation put forth by Advocacy Staff and Electricity Maine, LLC (EME or Electricity Maine), a competitive energy provider (CEP) licensed and operating in Maine.)
Stipulation (02/14/2024)
(Staff and Electricity Maine (EME) proposed stipulation for Commission’s consideration to settle investigation.)
2023-00024 (Opened 02/07/2023)
(Investigation into customer complaints alleging that Electricity Maine (EME) has introduced sudden and significant bill increases on electricity bills.)
