The Maine Public Utilities Commission announced today that it will seek input on and begin to analyze in detail how the pandemic will impact utilities, customers' ability to pay their utility bills, and any federal resources available to help both customers and utilities with their ongoing obligations.

"Rapidly rising levels of unemployment in Maine and other adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic raise questions about customers’ ability to pay their utility bills, the effect of that and of closed businesses on utilities’ accounts receivable, and the potential for significant future rate adjustments from these circumstances. Also, it is possible that federal legislation could be adopted, federal agencies’ rules amended, or policies adopted that directly affect customers’ ability to pay and utilities’ management of their operations," the PUC said

While the PUC did not directly implicate or seek information regarding retail supplier receivables, the revaluation could include various elements which impact suppliers (partial payment posting order), or the competitiveness of standard offer service (adjustments to the standard offer retainage factor and/or charge-offs for SOS)

"The Commission is seeking input from utility customers, businesses, utilities and other interested stakeholders on these topics. The Commission will also look at new federal legislation or changes in federal regulations or policies that are intended to 1) assist utility customers in managing their utility bills under these circumstances, and 2) assist utilities with their ongoing operations and obligations under these circumstances," the PUC said

Docket Number 2020-00136.

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