Section 407-815-1 - STATEMENT OF PURPOSES; APPLICABILITY; AND POLICYA.PurposesThe purposes of this Rule are:
1. To assure safe and adequate provision of Utility service;2. To assure that service is not disconnected or refused unreasonably; and3. To assure the Utility's right to collect proper payment for Utility service. Every privilege that is granted and every duty that is required by this Rule imposes an obligation on Utilities, Applicants and Customers to accept these privileges and perform these duties with good faith, honesty and fairness.
This Rule defines the minimum standards for nondiscriminatory practices that all transmission and distribution utilities and gas utilities must follow. It does not, however, limit the power of Utilities to give greater protection to their Customers above these minimum standards.
B.Applicability of Rule1. Unless otherwise stated, this Rule applies to all gas utilities and electric transmission and distribution utilities that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. A particular class or individual Utility may be specifically exempt from one or more provisions of this Rule by a rule or order of the Commission.2. Any provisions of this Rule that conflict with or are pre-empted by the Bankruptcy Code or any order issued by or agreement authorized by a bankruptcy court or the Bankruptcy Code are inapplicable.3. Any provision in any Utility rate schedule or term and condition that conflicts with any provision of this Rule is superseded by this Rule,4. This Rule applies to the collection of amounts owed by a Customer who is provided with electric or gas service by a Utility in Maine.5. Any section of this Rule not specifically designated as applying to residential or non-residential Customers applies to all Customers.C.PolicyIt is the Commission's policy that:
1. Utility bills should be paid by the date due. However, it is also the Commission's policy that Customers of electric and gas utilities should not be disconnected because of their inability to pay without being afforded the opportunity to enter into a reasonable Payment Arrangement to ensure that their Utility service is uninterrupted. It is also the Commission's policy that during the winter months, when there is excessive heat or humidity as determined in reference to the National Weather Service, or when severe weather conditions can pose a threat to health and safety, residential Customers of Utilities should not be disconnected because of their inability to pay the entire amount owed by the due date.2. Utilities should establish payment arrangements for Customers that take into consideration the individual Customer's unique circumstances and that are most likely to result in the Customer becoming current with their bills and retaining their Utility service.3. Residential Customers who enter into a Regular or Special Payment Arrangement should be required to the extent possible to pay a reasonable portion of each Utility bill when due during the Winter Disconnection Period and to avoid an accumulation of arrearages that will be difficult to pay on a reasonable schedule during the non-winter months. These policy provisions must be taken into consideration by the Utility and the Consumer Assistance and Safety Division (CASD) when acting under this Rule.
65-407 C.M.R. ch. 815, § 1