Case Details

- Case Details:

Case Number:

2021-00400

Case Status:

Closed

Utility/Industry Type :

Other

Utility/Industry Subtype :

Other

Case Type :

COMMISSION INITIATED

Case Subtype :

RULEMAKING

Pertaining to Utility/Company :

PUBLIC UTILITIES COM-O

Case Title :

COMMISSION INITIATED RULEMAKING AMENDMENTS TO STATEWIDE LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE PLAN RULE CHAPTER 314

Initiating Filer :

COMMISSION, MPUC

Case Start Date :

12/23/2021

Assigned Staff :

Derek.D.Davidson,
Kathryn.Arnott,
LYNN.A.FORTIN,
Lucretia.Smith,
Pamela.Emmons,
Paulina.Collins,
Margaret.Priest

View Case References

Filings (33) Data Requests (0)Public Comments (20) Active Party and Notification List (32) Assigned Staff (7)

Item No.	Date Filed	Description Of Filing	Filing Party	Filed By	No of Attachments	Deleted Filings
33	10/17/2022	ORDER ISSUING WAIVER	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1
32	8/12/2022	Comments on LIAP Implementation and Tariffs	AARP MAINE	Alexander, Barbara Reid	1
31	8/1/2022	CMP Request for Approval of T & C LIAP	CENTRAL MAINE POWER COMPANY	CMP Regulatory Administration, Debra Mills Y	3	Please file in new docket. Thank you.
30	7/12/2022	Public Comment on LIAP Implementation	AARP MAINE	Alexander, Barbara Reid	1
29	6/30/2022	Order Issuing Waiver	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1
28	6/6/2022	Rule approved by SOS effective 5/28/22	COMMISSION, MPUC	COMMISSION, MPUC	1
27	5/27/2022	Procedural Order	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1
26	5/20/2022	MOVED TO 2022-00141 Request for Approval of LP Rate Schedule	EASTERN MAINE ELECTRIC CO-OP, INC	Hallowell, Scott	1
25	5/3/2022	ORDER ADOPTING RULE	COMMISSION, MPUC	COMMISSION, MPUC	3
22	2/23/2022	Comments of VBLPD	VAN BUREN LIGHT & POWER DISTRICT	Schofield, Bill	1

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Posted By	Posted Date	Comments	Attachment(s)
Arthur Phillips Maine Center for Economic Policy One Weston Court, Suite 103 PO Box 437 Augusta, Maine 04332 Email ID: aphillips@mecep.org Phone No.: (207) 620-1279	2/21/2022	Dear Commissioners, The Maine Center for Economic Policy submits this comment in support of the Public Utilities Commission's proposed rule change to expand eligibility to the Low-Income Assistance Plan. We know that many low-income families are struggling to cover their basic household expenses, particularly during this cold winter. The U.S. Census bureau's most recent survey found that 78 percent of Maine households with annual incomes below $50,000 had difficulty paying for usual household expenses in the last week. This comes as the cost of electricity has dramatically increased. In November, the Commission announced that residential customers who receive Standard Offer service would see an increase of about 84 percent in their supply rates beginning this year. Meanwhile, according to the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition, only 21 percent of the total eligible population in Maine received LIHEAP in 2020. Due to Maine's unusual reliance on LIHEAP enrollment for access to LIAP, it appears that tens of thousands of households would stand to benefit from expanding eligibility criteria to recipients of Department of Health and Human Services means-tested programs. We echo comments submitted by the Office of the Public Advocate and AARP Maine urging the Commission to minimize administrative hurdles to enrollment. Specifically, we encourage the Commission to work with DHHS and MaineHousing to use existing data to automatically enroll customers who would be eligible under this framework. We also urge the Commission not to impose an expenditure cap on the plan. While it may be difficult to determine the increased cost of this rule change, imposing a cap that excludes households in need when electricity prices have dramatically increased will, quite literally, leave people out in the cold for no fault of their own. Thank you for your consideration, Arthur Phillips
Joby Thoyalil Maine Equal Justice 126 Sewall Street, Augusta, ME 04330 Email ID: jthoyalil@mejp.org Phone No.: 917-572-6068	2/21/2022	Please see attached letter.	2022-02-21 MEJ Comments_LIAP Rule.pdf
David Crossman 141 bowdoinham road Email ID: davjcross@roadrunner.com Phone No.: 207-319-8868	2/19/2022	It is very disturbing that so many Mainers struggle from day to day meeting financial obligations. Now in the middle of winter they are having their electric bill double where so many struggled to pay it in the first place. This simple rule change would be so impactful for so many people it feels irresponsible to to make this change to support fellow Mainers. I urge you to do the right thing and help these folks.
Anthony Pelotte Department of Health and Human Services - Office for Family Independence 109 Capitol Street Augusta, ME 04330 Email ID: anthony.pelotte@maine.gov Phone No.: 207-624-4104	2/17/2022	Attachment.	PUC_-_DOCKET_NO._2021-00400_ap.pdf
Jackie Cattabriga 88 Bennett Rd New Gloucester, ME 04260 Email ID: jax.downeast@gmail.com Phone No.: 207-415-9533	2/16/2022	I fully support this bill and hope that it passes. I believe it would greatly increase the options for low-income Mainers to pay for their heating needs (regardless of the method).
Joan Federman 18725 Highway 108, #54 #54 Email ID: joanfederman@gmail.com Phone No.: 207-322-7207	2/15/2022	Please approve docket number 2021-DO 400 When lived in Maine I received fuel assistance through HEAP. It made a big difference in my life. Now help with electric healing through the use of heat pumlps would make a big different in my life if I were still living in Maine. I wish this good fortune now to thepeople in Maine who need it.
Sam Saltonstall The WindowDressers (a nonprofit) 38 Harding Road Brunswick ME 04011 Email ID: sssalty88@gmail.com Phone No.: 207-838-9843	2/15/2022	Liberalizing this rule that expands LIAP to make it possible for folks not heating with oil to get assistance is just common sense. Not only will it help people who are also truly in need, it will also encourage the installation of more heat pumps, which will support the Maine Climate Council's Maine Won't Wait effort to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you for considering my views.
Sam Saltonstall The WindowDressers (a nonprofit) 38 Harding Road Brunswick ME 04011 Email ID: sssalty88@gmail.com Phone No.: 207-838-9843	2/15/2022	Liberalizing this rule that expands LIAP to make it possible for folks not heating with oil to get assistance is just common sense. Not only will it help people who are also truly in need, it will also encourage the installation of more heat pumps, which will support the Maine Climate Council's Maine Won't Wait effort to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you for considering my views.
Karen Gleeson 88 Hart Road, Northport ME 04849 Email ID: karenglee@earthlink.net Phone No.: 207-338-0350	2/15/2022	I am writing in support of expansion of the LIAP program to include other forms of fuel/energy sources for low income families. Specifically, being able to use the program for electricity -- heat pumps -- and other forms of heat for their homes. In the 21st century, we must get away from oil and gas heat into greener energy sources, and here in Maine that will require thinking ahead to allow our lower income houses to use lower-impact sources. Our environment needs this change. Those with lots of money to spend can build their own "green homes" but too many of our citizens, including our seniors, depend on public support for their energy needs. This support must be as flexible as possible to take advantage of newer designs and energy sources in the future. I personally know of at least one senior who "lives in the woods" in rural Maine who had someone install heat pumps in her home, but who now would need assistance to keep this system going, so she doesn't have to keep getting wood from her town to burn in her old wood stove (and would have to haul this wood inside when she is getting more aged and disabled). As I said, flexibility should be the key to this legislation. None of us know what future energy systems might be able to come online. Our lower income folks need to have support for the best possible systems. Otherwise, our lower income folks are causing pollution and environmental harm because they can't afford the greenest and best.
Dorothy Peppe 47 Willow st. Rockland, ME 04841 Email ID: deepeppe@gmail.com Phone No.: 207-594-1224	2/15/2022	Dear Friend, This bill, to offer electricity assistance to low income households who heat with energy efficient electric units is extremely important in our dyer need to move away from fossil fuels. I have witnessed first hand how the LIHEAP program, while very helpful in many ways, has not supported Maine's goal to cut emissions. Also, it has not helped in convincing communities to switch to the lower emission and less expensive means of heating. Coupled with Efficiency Maine's programs, this bill would create very strong energy efficient incentives. I completely support this bill. Thank you, Dorothy Peppe

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Notification List Active Party List

Name of Person/Company	Representing Company	Mailing Address	Email/Phone/Fax
Alexander, Barbara	AARP MAINE	ME	Email ID: barbalexand@gmail.com Phone Fax:
Assistant, Smith Legal LLC		P.O. 5418 4 Wabon Street, Suite 1 Augusta ME 04332 5418	Email ID: Assistant@smithlawmaine.com Phone Ph: 207-480-1543 Fax: Fax: 207-480-1532
Berry, Martin W	MADISON ELECTRIC WORKS	6 Business Park Dr Madison ME 04950	Email ID: mberry@madelec.net Phone Ph: 207-696-4401 Fax: Fax: 207-696-5627
Bonsey, Shannon	PENQUIS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM	ME	Email ID: sbonsey@penquis.org Phone Fax:
Drost, Daniel	MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY	ME	Email ID: ddrost@mainehousing.org Phone Fax:
Gagne Holmes, Sara		Deputy Commissioner ME	Email ID: Sara.Gagne-Holmes@maine.gov Phone Fax:
Hamm, Bethany		Deputy Commissioner	Email ID: Bethany.L.Hamm@maine.gov Phone Fax:
Hannan, Megan		ME	Email ID: mhannan@mecap.org Phone Ph: 207-831-9893 Fax:
Hart, Debra		ME	Email ID: debhart@hartpublicpolicy.com Phone Fax:
Landry, Andrew	OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE	Deputy Public Advocate	Email ID: andrew.landry@maine.gov Phone Ph: 207-624-3678 Fax: Fax: 207-287-4300

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Staff Name	Role
Arnott, Kathryn	Staff Analyst
Collins, Paulina	Hearing Examiner
Davidson, Derek	Reviewer
Emmons, Pamela	Staff Analyst
FORTIN, ETHELYN	Support Staff
Priest, Margaret	Support Staff
Smith, Lucretia	Staff Analyst

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