Resolve, Regarding New Utility Line Extension Construction

Sec. 1. New utility line extension construction. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission shall convene a stakeholder group to study the practices of investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities with respect to new utility line extension construction, other than the actual rates and prices charged for line extensions. The study must include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of how the utilities’ line extension practices affect private line extension contractors and a review of the methodologies used to apportion line extension costs. The commission shall, at a minimum, invite representatives from the following to participate in the stakeholder group: the investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities in the State, associations of builders and contractors, private line extension contractors and the Office of the Public Advocate; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report; authority for legislation. Resolved: That, no later than February 15, 2010, the Public Utilities Commission shall submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Utilities and Energy a report of the findings and recommendations of the stakeholder group under section 1. The report must include, but is not limited to, an assessment of any differences in the apportionment methodologies used by the investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities and recommendations to achieve a common standard operating procedure for line extension cost estimating. After receipt and review of the report, the committee is authorized to report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature, as necessary, to direct the Public Utilities Commission to amend its rules governing private line extensions pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 314, subsection 5.