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Maine Public Benefit Funds for Rate Assistance

State legislation in 1991 ordered low-income rates or other programs from investor-owned utilities; they included a rate discount, a PIPP variation, and a bill credit program. The largest program, through Central Maine Power, allows participants to pay a fixed percentage of their income for energy; the percentage varies based on their level of poverty and electric usage. Effective October 2001 the statewide Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP), set forth in Chapter 314, was adopted continuing the large utility programs and mandating that all electric utilities participate in the Plan. The LIAP fund amounted to about $5.8 million yearly from 2002 through 2006. LIAP funding has been increased twice since 2006, bringing annual funding to at least $8 million. See electric utility restructuring legislation.

Note: Leveraging reports do not always give a complete statewide picture. Some resources are not reported through leveraging or are under reported.

LEVERAGING

2010: $8.6 million
2007: $8.1 million
2006: $11.1 million (includes debt forgiveness and $1.9 million for utility-funded weatherization)
2005: $8 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
2004: $7.3 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
2003: $6.2 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
2002: $5 million
2001: $5 million
2000: $6.0 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
1999: $5.9 million (includes utility-funded weatherization)
1998: $5.9 million (includes utility weatherization)
1997: $4.6 million
1996: $4.7 million
1995: $5.7 million
1994: $5.4 million
1993: $3.4 million
1992: $1 million

REGULATION

1993, Docket No. 93-158

Page last updated: October 21, 2011