Maine PUC rejects settlement with Electricity Maine - WGME
Maine PUC rejects settlement with Electricity Maine
PORTLAND (WGME) – The Maine Public Utilities Commission has rejected a proposed settlement with Electricity Maine that would have sent millions of dollars to customers who were overcharged by the company.
This prolongs a case that's been going on since February of last year. Two of the three commissioners said they could not bring themselves to approve what some are calling a slap on the wrist for Electricity Maine.
Under the deal, the company would have issued refunds to about 18,000 current and former customers who were overcharged.
These customers initially signed up with Electricity Maine for rates lower than the standard offer, only to see them skyrocket when the company switched them to a variable rate when their initial contract expired.
The Maine Public Advocate came out against the settlement agreement, saying with a refund stipulation of only $5 million, the settlement fails to provide full refunds and does nothing to sanction Electricity Maine for repeated violations to consumer protection laws.
It’s something the Maine PUC chair heard loud and clear.
"While I think the stipulation may be a good result for directly impacted customers, I share the OPA's concern about the alleged repeated violations under Maine law and worry about customers both existing and potentially new on a going forward basis,” Maine PUC Chair Phil Bartlett said. “Electricity Maine faced sanctions in the past and was warned that it must comply with applicable rules and statutes, yet here we are again with another series of serious allegations."
The Office of the Public Advocate says it is pleased with the PUC's decision, adding there are still customers on these variable rates solely decided by Electricity Maine.
As the case continues on, the Public Advocate continues to call for Electricity Maine's license to be revoked, but it could take months to bring it to conclusion.
Electricity Maine will have opportunity to file its own testimony.
A company spokesperson says they're disappointed but respect the decision and will cooperate with the investigation.
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