AARP Maine’s News You Can Use

By Joyce Bucciantini, AARP Maine community outreach volunteer

The Maine Legislature is in full swing. Legislators are working diligently through a myriad of proposed bills on a wide range of topics of concern to the citizens of Maine. In Maine, every proposed bill receives a public hearing by the appropriate legislative committee. These hearings provide opportunities for Mainers to make their voices heard by elected officials, creating empowering opportunities for community engagement.

AARP Maine is closely following LD 186, “An Act to Clarify the Public Utilities Commission’s Authority to Establish Time of Use Pricing for Standard Offer Service”. This bill seeks to allow the Public Utilities Commission to change the standard offer rate (the default rate for the supply of electricity set by the Commission) from a flat rate to a time of use rate. Electric rates would be higher for morning and late afternoon peak usage times — a big change for most home consumers.

AARP Maine has concerns about the impact of LD 186 on the pocketbooks of Mainers who are already concerned about the rising cost of electricity. Families could be forced to pay more to keep their homes warm during evening hours — often when it gets coldest. The legislation could also lead to higher utility bills for people who rely on life saving medical devices.

AARP Maine advocacy volunteers are asking the Maine legislature to vote NO on LD 186. Instead, we encourage the PUC to wait until December, when the results of an already ordered rate design study will be available. These findings will help them consider the best options for possible time of use rate changes. We’re also urging the PUC to develop a pilot program that would allow consumers to opt in to time of use rates to provide useful data for consideration.

One thing I have learned on my trips to the Maine State House is that our legislators are happy to hear from their constituents about any proposed legislation. Our state legislators are concerned individuals who seek to do the best for their communities, and for our great state. Maine residents have a great opportunity in the ability to share their ideas with our legislators about the proposed bill, LD 186, or any other issues in Maine. Every voice does truly make a difference. 

Please use the following web address to find more information about AARP Maine and events near you: aarp.org/me, me@aarp.org, @aarpmaine, 866-554-5380.

Bucciantini is a retired middle school educator. She currently coordinates Delta Kappa Gamma’s Read to Me program, is a tutor with Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin and is an active AARP Maine volunteer. In her spare time, she enjoys her gardens, being outdoors and traveling.