AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature voted in favor of a invoice to extend oversight of the state’s two main electrical utilities on Wednesday, a day after a disagreement within the Home put the proposal into limbo.
The invoice would set up new efficiency measures and add monetary penalties for failure to satisfy the benchmarks. In excessive circumstances, the utilities might face a compelled sale for repeated violations.
Home Democrats resolved their variations Wednesday to vote for a modified invoice. The Senate additionally permitted it. Additional votes are obligatory.
The proposal comes amid widespread discontent with the state’s privately owned electrical utilities. Critics tried unsuccessfully to place a proposal on the poll this yr to interchange them with a consumer-owned electrical utility.
“It’s clear Maine persons are at a breaking level, and that a lot of our constituents have misplaced religion of their utilities,” mentioned Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, who serves on the Power, Utilities and Know-how Committee. She mentioned the state’s residents “are demanding extra accountability from their electrical utilities, they usually’re demanding it now.”
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The invoice was put ahead by the governor as a compromise, and was sponsored by Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, who mentioned Wednesday that Mainers deserve dependable electrical energy.
“This invoice will guarantee our utility firms put the wants of their prospects first, that we’re planning an influence grid that’s dependable and prepared for Maine’s unbiased power future, and can assist defend ratepayers,” Brenner mentioned.
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