Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §315 is enacted to read:

§315. Limitation on telephone and electric rates

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, rates set by the commission for a telephone utility may not increase for any customer by more than 3% in any 12-month period.__ Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, the commission shall ensure that the total of the regulated rate for transmission and distribution service plus any stranded costs charge plus the charge for standard-offer service established pursuant to section 3212 does not increase for any customer by more than 3% in any 12-month period.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that rates set by the Public Utilities Commission for a telephone utility may not increase for any customer by more than 3% in any 12-month period. It also requires the commission to ensure that the total of the regulated rate for transmission and distribution service plus any stranded costs charge plus the charge for standard-offer service established pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 3212 does not increase for any customer by more than 3% in any 12-month period.