Section 648-480-3 - GAS CONSERVATION PROGRAMSA. Criteria for Conservation ProgramsGas distribution utilities adopting and implementing gas conservation programs shall seek to encourage efficiency in natural gas use, provide incentives for the development of new, energy-efficient business activity in the State and take into account the costs and benefits of energy efficiency and conservation to existing business activity in the State.
1.Program Design. Gas distribution utilities shall design and implement conservation programs that: (a) increase consumer awareness of cost-effective options for conserving energy;(b) create more favorable market conditions for the increased use of efficient products and services; and(c) promote sustainable economic development and reduced environmental damage.2.Program Targets. The gas distribution utilities shall:(a) target at least 10% of available funds to programs for low-income residential consumers;(b) target at least 20% of available funds to programs for small business consumers; and(c) To the greatest extent practicable, apportion remaining available funds among customer groups and geographic areas in a manner that allows all othercustomers to have a reasonable opportunity to participate in one or more conservation programs.3.Program Cost Effectiveness. Programs shall meet the cost effectiveness tests established in Section 4. 4.Program Funding Levels. Programs shall be deliverable within the funding level established pursuant to section 5. B.Terms and Conditions. As required by 35-A M.R.S.A. §304, gas conservation programs shall be implemented as part of the gas distribution utility's schedules on file with the Commission. New gas conservation programs and changes to existing gas conservation programs shall be filed with the Commission as a change in the gas distribution utility's schedules pursuant to 35-A M.R.S.A. §307. 1.Information to be Submitted. A gas distribution utility submitting a gas conservation program shall file the following information with the Commission and the Office of the Public Advocate:(a) Proposed new or revised Terms and Conditions describing the proposed gas conservation program, and a schedule of any new or revised rates or charges proposed in conjunction with the program.(b) A description of the proposed gas conservation program, including its target group, schedule, projected gas savings, avoided costs, participant costs and savings, program costs and benefits, rate impacts and impacts on end uses and amenity level.(c) An analysis of the proposed gas conservation program showing that it is reasonably likely to be cost effective as defined in this Rule.(d) Any other information the gas utility believes will assist the Commission in reviewing the cost effectiveness of the proposed program and the justness and reasonableness of the proposed terms and Conditions.2.Delegation of Authority. The Commission delegates its authority to review, suspend, approve and order changes to gas utility schedules related to energy conservation programs, including terms and conditions, to the Director of Energy Programs.3.Effect of Commission Approval. The Commission's approval of a gas conservation program shall be a determination that the program is just and reasonable on the basis of the information available as of the date of approval. Any gas distribution utility implementing such a program has a continuing obligation to monitor, evaluate and review the program to determine whether the program as implemented is cost effective and whether continuation of the program as approved is reasonable.95- 648 C.M.R. ch. 480, § 3