65-407-616 Me. Code R. § 3

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 407-616-3 - EXEMPTIONS

A.Customer Notifications Pursuant to 35-A M.R.S. §§6104 & 6104- A

A consumer-owned water utility is exempt from the newspaper notification requirements for public hearings pursuant to 35-A M.R.S. §§6104(3) and 6104- A(5) provided that a utility provides notice of the public hearing by regular mail to all customers in addition to utilizing at least two of the following notification methods at least 14 days prior to the public hearing:

1.Email. Email notice must be made individually to each customer. Email notice may be included in electronic customer bills;

2.Conspicuous posting. The utility may post notice in a town office or other conspicuous place within the utility's service area;

3.Website. If the utility has a website, the utility may post notice on its website;

4.Social media. If the utility has social media accounts, it may post notice on those social media accounts; or

5. Other. Any other method reasonably calculated to provide broad notice to the utility's customers.

The utility must provide notice individually to each customer and the mailing must be postmarked at least 14 days before the public hearing. Utilities may include notice in mailed customer bills. Utilities must file copies of the notice in the Commission's Case Management System at least 14 days before the date of the public hearing. All notices, whether by mail or other method, must contain the same information.

In addition, utilities must file verification of the email, conspicuous posting, website, social media, or other notifications in the Commission's Case Management System at least 14 days before the date of the public hearing. Verification may be screenshots, photographs, or other media sufficient to show compliance with this section.

65-407 C.M.R. ch. 616, § 3