News Stories
Sponsored by Earth Etch. Regulatory insight and compliance solutions for today’s energy markets.
Staff Seeks Comments On Three Default Service TOU Proposals
Staff of the Maine Public Utilities Commission prepared three illustrative straw proposals for implementing time-of-use (TOU) rates within the state. These straw proposals are intended to provide distinctly contrasting options across the wide spectrum of possible TOU designs. Staff does not, at this time, take a position on any of the straw proposals. The primary goal at this stage of the process is to commence the iterative process of developing two or three proposals and a set of assumptions that would then be used to estimate costs, benefits, and implementation timelines in a future cost-benefit analysis.
The Commission therefore requests parties to provide written comments on these three proposals and identify elements that parties support. If parties oppose these proposals, parties are requested to propose specific alternatives.
These straw proposals are presented purely for the purpose of initiating discussion and soliciting feedback from the parties. To create sufficiently contrasting proposals, Staff created variations that extend beyond previously discussed options, and these variations should be understood only as illustrative elements of possible alternative TOU designs.
As background, in its April 24, 2025, report, Commission consultant Exeter Associates (Exeter) identified 15 major parameters for TOU program design. ODR-001-001 Attachment 1. These parameters make up Straw Proposal #1 and several of the elements in the other two straw proposals.
The first straw proposal is Exeter’s recommendation as presented in the Exeter Report without modification. Details of this proposal can be found in the report, and its key design parameters as summarized in ODR-001-001 Attachment 1
The second straw proposal focuses on leveraging TOU rate design to maximally drive customer behavior change, smooth system demand peaks, and reduce emissions.
The third straw proposal focuses on promoting customer acceptance of TOU rate design and minimizing the potential risks to individual customers by providing additional levels of customer protection from increasing bills.
To review each proposal in detail please see link below for procedural order and Staff proposals.
Procedural Order & Staff Proposals (10/09/2025)
2025-00176
(Commission Initiated Investigation Of Time Of Use Rates For Delivery And Standard Offer Service For Investor-Owned Transmission And Distribution Utilities)
